Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core i3-14100 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data draws a clear line between these two Intel desktop processors. The Intel Core 5 221E wins every single head-to-head comparison in the database, taking all 17 recorded tests. Its average benchmark score of 40144 places it at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core i3-14100 averages 18318 and sits at the 72nd percentile. The Core 5 221E is the outright performance leader, with its closest recorded rivals being the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 at 40081 (0.2% ahead), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 at 40048 (0.2% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 9 270 at 40246 (0.3% behind), and the Intel Core i9-13905H at 40313 (0.4% behind). The Core i3-14100 sits in an entirely different tier, competing with the Intel Core 3 305 at 18302 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core 5 330 at 18345 (0.1% behind), the Intel Core 7 360 at 18374 (0.3% behind), and the Intel Core i3-13100 at 18380 (0.3% behind).

The Core 5 221E is the processor for workloads that scale with core count, thread count, and cache capacity. The Core i3-14100 is the smaller, lower-power option, but its performance profile does not match the Core 5 221E in any recorded test. There is no benchmark category where the Core i3-14100 pulls ahead, so the choice rests on whether the user needs the Core 5 221E's multi-threaded dominance or the Core i3-14100's smaller footprint, as reflected by its 60 W TDP versus the Core 5 221E's 65 W TDP.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows a one-sided distribution of wins. The Core 5 221E takes all 17 head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 10.3% to 214.5%. Its largest advantage appears in integer-heavy and prime-number workloads. In passmark_find_prime_numbers, the Core 5 221E scores 173 against 55, a 214.5% lead. The passmark_integer_math test shows 117813 versus 45329, a 159.9% edge. The Core 5 221E also dominates floating-point math at 79028 versus 35266, a 124.1% difference.

The Core i3-14100 has no recorded wins. Its closest relative performance comes in single-threaded workloads. In passmark_single_thread, the Core 5 221E scores 4147 versus 3759, a 10.3% advantage. That is the narrowest margin in the entire comparison. The Cinebench single-core tests show a different story, with the Core 5 221E leading by 102.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core (368 versus 182) and 102.4% in R23 single-core (3661 versus 1809). The data indicates that the Core i3-14100 is not competitive in either multi-threaded or single-threaded rendering tasks, but its PassMark single-thread score is the least unfavorable comparison point.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share several foundational traits. Both use the Intel Socket 1700, both are built on Intel's 10 nm process node, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configurations, both include UHD Graphics 730 integrated graphics, and both expose Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both also support ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The core configurations differ substantially. The Core 5 221E uses 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core i3-14100 uses 4 cores and 8 threads. The Core 5 221E belongs to the Bartlett Lake generation, whereas the Core i3-14100 is part of the Raptor Lake Refresh generation with the Raptor Lake-R codename. The Core 5 221E has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Core i3-14100 starts higher at 3.50 GHz base but tops out lower at 4.70 GHz boost.

Cache hierarchies differ in total capacity and per-core allocation. The Core 5 221E carries 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i3-14100 also has 80 KB of L1 per core but only 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3. The die sizes reflect the larger configuration: the Core 5 221E measures 257 mm², while the Core i3-14100 measures 163 mm². The memory bandwidth for the Core 5 221E is recorded at 89.6 GB/s; the Core i3-14100 has no memory bandwidth figure in the database. The Core 5 221E was released on 2025-01-12, about a year after the Core i3-14100's release on 2024-01-07. The launch MSRP for the Core 5 221E is $232, and the launch MSRP for the Core i3-14100 is $134.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 5 221E scores 25933 versus 12820 for the Core i3-14100, a 102.3% lead. The R20 multi-core test shows 10891 versus 5384, a 102.3% difference, and R15 multi-core shows 2613 versus 1292, a 102.2% lead.

Q: Does the Core i3-14100 win any benchmark?

A: No. The database records 17 head-to-head tests, and the Core 5 221E wins all 17. The Core i3-14100 has zero wins.

Q: What is the closest benchmark result between the two?

A: The PassMark single-thread test shows the smallest margin. The Core 5 221E scores 4147 and the Core i3-14100 scores 3759, a 10.3% difference.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configurations. The Core 5 221E has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s; the Core i3-14100 has no bandwidth figure in the database.

Q: Are both processors on the same socket and process node?

A: Yes. Both use Intel Socket 1700 and Intel's 10 nm process node. Both are produced by Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin in the comparison appears in passmark_find_prime_numbers. The Core 5 221E scores 173, and the Core i3-14100 scores 55, a 214.5% difference. This test measures prime-number generation, a workload that benefits heavily from the Core 5 221E's additional cores and threads.

The passmark_integer_math test shows a 159.9% lead, with scores of 117813 versus 45329. The passmark_physics test follows with 2230 versus 958, a 132.8% edge. Floating-point math comes in at 79028 versus 35266, a 124.1% advantage. Data encryption shows 19205 versus 8838, a 117.3% lead, and random string sorting shows 37686 versus 17397, a 116.6% difference.

The multi-threaded PassMark score for the Core 5 221E is 30510 against 15095 for the Core i3-14100, a 102.1% lead. The Cinebench suite mirrors this pattern across all three versions. R15 multi-core shows 2613 versus 1292 (102.2%), R20 multi-core shows 10891 versus 5384 (102.3%), and R23 multi-core shows 25933 versus 12820 (102.3%). The single-core Cinebench results also favor the Core 5 221E heavily: R15 single-core 368 versus 182 (102.2%), R20 single-core 1537 versus 759 (102.5%), and R23 single-core 3661 versus 1809 (102.4%).

The PassMark extended instructions test gives the Core 5 221E a 53.5% lead, scoring 18216 versus 11865. The data compression test shows 324285 versus 174115, an 86.2% advantage. The narrowest result is passmark_single_thread at 4147 versus 3759, a 10.3% lead. The Core 5 221E also holds a 132.8% advantage in passmark_physics, reinforcing its position as the stronger processor for both general compute and physics-based workloads. The database records no test where the Core i3-14100 closes the gap to a competitive range outside of PassMark single-thread performance.