Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core i5-14400 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a dominant performance profile for the Intel Core 5 221E across nearly every measured workload. Of the 17 head-to-head comparisons recorded, the Core 5 221E wins 16, with the Intel Core i5-14400 securing only one victory. The margin of victory is substantial in several categories, particularly in integer math and prime number finding.

The Cinebench suite reveals a consistent performance advantage for the Core 5 221E across all six tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 5 221E scores 2613 against 2148 for the i5-14400, a 21.6% lead. The single-core R15 result shows a similar gap: 368 versus 303, a 21.5% advantage. This pattern continues in R20, where multicore scores are 10891 versus 8952 (21.7% delta) and single-core 1537 versus 1263 (21.7% delta). The R23 results mirror these figures exactly in percentage terms: 25933 versus 21315 for multicore and 3661 versus 3009 for single-core, both at 21.7%. The consistency of this 21.7% delta across multiple Cinebench versions indicates a structural advantage in both thread scaling and single-thread performance rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

PassMark results show even larger disparities in certain compute-heavy tasks. The integer math test delivers a 43.6% advantage for the Core 5 221E, with scores of 117813 versus 82017. Floating point math shows a 28.4% lead (79028 versus 61549). The physics test produces a 59.7% delta (2230 versus 1396), and the prime number finding test shows a dramatic 116.3% difference (173 versus 80). These results suggest the Core 5 221E handles algorithmic and mathematical workloads with notably higher throughput.

The multithreaded PassMark score shows a 21.7% delta (30510 versus 25080), matching the Cinebench multicore margins. Random string sorting shows a 16.5% lead (37686 versus 32346), while data encryption shows a 14.8% advantage (19205 versus 16731). Data compression is closer, with the Core 5 221E ahead by only 2.9% (324285 versus 314995). Single-thread PassMark scores show a 10.9% lead for the Core 5 221E (4147 versus 3741).

The sole benchmark win for the Intel Core i5-14400 comes in extended instructions, where it scores 19816 against 18216 for the Core 5 221E, an 8.1% advantage. This indicates the i5-14400 has a specific strength in SIMD or specialized instruction execution, even though it lags in most other categories.

Where Each One Wins

The performance split maps clearly to workload types. The Intel Core 5 221E dominates in all multithreaded productivity tasks, as shown by its consistent 21.7% advantage across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, plus the PassMark multithread score. It also excels in mathematical computation, with substantial leads in integer math (43.6%), floating point math (28.4%), and physics simulation (59.7%). The prime number finding test, which is heavily dependent on integer division and branch prediction, shows the largest single delta at 116.3%. For encryption workloads, the Core 5 221E maintains a 14.8% lead, while random string sorting shows a 16.5% advantage. Its single-thread performance is also superior, with a 10.9% lead in PassMark single-thread and a 21.5% to 21.7% lead across Cinebench single-core tests.

The Intel Core i5-14400 has one clear domain of superiority: extended instruction processing. Its 8.1% lead in PassMark extended instructions suggests better optimization for AVX or other vector instruction sets, which could benefit certain scientific or media processing tasks. However, this single win does not offset the broader performance deficit. The data compression benchmark, where the Core 5 221E leads by only 2.9%, is the closest contest, indicating that compression workloads may not fully utilize the Core 5 221E's additional cores.

For users prioritizing maximum throughput in rendering, simulation, or data processing, the Core 5 221E is the clear choice. For workloads that heavily rely on extended instruction sets, the i5-14400 offers a specific advantage, though its overall average benchmark score of 32115 versus 40144 for the Core 5 221E places it firmly behind. The Core 5 221E also holds a higher percentile rank at 87 versus 82 for the i5-14400.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core 5 221E in multi-core workloads?

A: The Core 5 221E shows a consistent 21.7% advantage over the i5-14400 across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, as well as in the PassMark multithread score. The PassMark multithread scores are 30510 versus 25080.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-14400 better in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the i5-14400 wins the PassMark extended instructions test with a score of 19816 versus 18216 for the Core 5 221E, an 8.1% advantage. This is its only recorded win out of 17 head-to-head comparisons.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core 5 221E scores 173 against 80 for the i5-14400, a 116.3% advantage. The physics test shows the second-largest gap at 59.7% (2230 versus 1396).

Q: How do the single-core performances compare?

A: The Core 5 221E leads in all single-core tests. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 368 versus 303 (21.5% delta), R20 shows 1537 versus 1263 (21.7% delta), R23 shows 3661 versus 3009 (21.7% delta), and PassMark single-thread shows 4147 versus 3741 (10.9% delta).

Q: Which processor has better overall benchmark standing?

A: The Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40144 and ranks in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-14400 has an average score of 32115 and ranks in the 82nd percentile.

Q: How close is the data compression performance?

A: The Core 5 221E leads by only 2.9% in PassMark data compression, scoring 324285 versus 314995. This is the narrowest margin among all tests where the Core 5 221E wins.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several core specifications. The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 2.70 GHz for the Core 5 221E and 2.50 GHz for the i5-14400. Boost clocks are 5.20 GHz and 4.70 GHz respectively. Both have a 65 W TDP and use the Intel Socket 1700.

The Core 5 221E has a die size of 257 mm², while the i5-14400 has a die size of 215 mm². The L2 cache differs significantly: 2 MB per core for the Core 5 221E versus 1.25 MB per core for the i5-14400. The L3 cache is 24 MB shared for the Core 5 221E and 20 MB shared for the i5-14400. Both have 80 KB L1 cache per core.

Memory bandwidth is listed as 89.6 GB/s for the Core 5 221E, while no figure is recorded for the i5-14400. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel buses, and both support ECC memory. PCIe configuration is identical: Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Both use UHD Graphics 730 as integrated graphics.

The Core 5 221E has a launch MSRP of $232, while the i5-14400 has a launch MSRP of $221. The release dates differ, with the i5-14400 launched in January 2024 and the Core 5 221E in January 2025. The Core 5 221E carries part number SRQDVQ659, while the i5-14400 carries SRN3QSRN46. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is notable. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, while the Intel Core i5-14400 uses Raptor Lake-R and is part of the Raptor Lake architecture. The Core 5 221E is identified as Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation, whereas the i5-14400 belongs to Core 14th Gen (Raptor Lake Refresh). Both are built on a 10 nm process node by Intel.

The core count difference of 14 versus 10, along with thread counts of 20 versus 16, suggests the Core 5 221E uses a different core configuration. The larger L2 cache per core (2 MB versus 1.25 MB) and larger shared L3 cache (24 MB versus 20 MB) indicate a different cache hierarchy design. The die size difference, 257 mm² versus 215 mm², reflects the additional cores and cache resources on the Core 5 221E.

Despite the architectural differences, both processors share several features: the same socket, same process node, same integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), same PCIe configuration (Gen 5, 16 lanes), and identical memory support (DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, ECC capable). The measured memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s for the Core 5 221E, with no corresponding figure for the i5-14400, may indicate a difference in memory controller configuration, though both support dual-channel operation.

The production status for both is Active. The Core 5 221E is classified as a Desktop market segment processor, as is the i5-14400. The core architecture differences likely explain the consistent 21.7% performance delta in multithreaded workloads, as the additional 4 cores and 4 threads provide a significant scaling advantage. The single-core performance gap of approximately 21.5% to 21.7% in Cinebench, however, suggests that per-core efficiency also differs, possibly due to clock speed differences (5.20 GHz versus 4.70 GHz boost) and cache hierarchy improvements.