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

Intel Core 5 221E and Intel Core i5-14400F are both desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1700 platform, but the benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy between them. The Core 5 221E wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Core i5-14400F takes only a single victory. The average benchmark score for the Core 5 221E is 40144, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core i5-14400F averages 32279, which lands in the 83rd percentile. This places the Core 5 221E in the company of processors like the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (0.2% ahead) and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (0.2% ahead), while the Core i5-14400F sits near the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U (0.1% ahead) and the Intel Core i9-11900 (0.2% ahead).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E dominates across nearly every workload category in the recorded data. Its largest margins come in compute-heavy tasks: it leads by 101.2% in passmark_find_prime_numbers (173 vs 86), by 46.4% in passmark_physics (2230 vs 1523), and by 44.5% in passmark_integer_math (117813 vs 81524). These are substantial deltas that indicate a major advantage in integer processing and physics simulation workloads. The Core 5 221E also shows strong leads in floating-point math at 28.9% (79028 vs 61319) and data encryption at 13.3% (19205 vs 16949).

The Core i5-14400F wins only one test: passmark_extended_instructions, with a score of 19937 versus 18216 for the Core 5 221E, a delta of -8.6% from the perspective of the Core 5 221E. This single victory suggests that the Core i5-14400F has a slight edge in workloads that rely heavily on extended instruction sets, but this advantage does not translate into broader performance leadership. In every other recorded benchmark, the Core 5 221E takes the win, often by double-digit percentages.

For single-threaded work, the Core 5 221E leads by 12.1% in passmark_single_thread (4147 vs 3701). The Cinebench single-core results show a consistent 19.8% to 19.9% advantage for the Core 5 221E across R15, R20, and R23 versions. This indicates that the Core 5 221E is not just faster in multi-threaded scenarios, it also has a clear clock-for-clock performance advantage in lightly threaded applications.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same 10 nm process node and are both built by Intel for the Socket 1700 platform. The Core 5 221E comes from the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 5 generation, while the Core i5-14400F uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, belonging to Core 14th Gen. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and both offer PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Core counts differ significantly. The Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core i5-14400F has 10 cores and 16 threads. This four-core, four-thread advantage is the most likely driver behind the large multi-threaded benchmark margins. Cache allocation also differs: the Core 5 221E has 2 MB of L2 per core and 24 MB of shared L3, while the Core i5-14400F has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 20 MB of shared L3. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core. The larger L2 and L3 caches on the Core 5 221E contribute to its higher single-threaded scores.

The Core 5 221E has integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 730, while the Core i5-14400F has no integrated graphics. Both processors support ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The die size for the Core 5 221E is 257 mm², larger than the 215 mm² die of the Core i5-14400F. The Core 5 221E released on 2025-01-12, while the Core i5-14400F released on 2024-01-07. The launch MSRP for the Core 5 221E is $232, and for the Core i5-14400F it is $196.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are remarkably consistent in showing a near-uniform 19.8% advantage for the Core 5 221E. In cinebench_r15_multicore, the Core 5 221E scores 2613 against 2181, a 19.8% lead. The single-core R15 test shows 368 vs 307, a 19.9% lead. Moving to R20, multicore shows 10891 vs 9090 (19.8%) and singlecore shows 1537 vs 1283 (19.8%). The R23 results follow the same pattern: multicore 25933 vs 21645 (19.8%) and singlecore 3661 vs 3055 (19.8%). This uniformity suggests a consistent per-core performance gap rather than a scaling effect from the extra cores.

The Passmark suite shows a wider range of outcomes. The largest single delta is in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the Core 5 221E scores 173 against 86, a 101.2% advantage. This test is highly sensitive to integer throughput and cache behavior, and the Core 5 221E's larger caches and higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 4.70 GHz appear to be decisive. The base clocks are 2.70 GHz for the Core 5 221E and 2.50 GHz for the Core i5-14400F.

Passmark physics shows a 46.4% lead for the Core 5 221E (2230 vs 1523), and integer math shows a 44.5% lead (117813 vs 81524). Floating-point math is 28.9% ahead (79028 vs 61319). Data encryption favors the Core 5 221E by 13.3% (19205 vs 16949), while data compression is a closer contest at 2.8% (324285 vs 315521). Random string sorting comes in at 15.3% (37686 vs 32680). Multithread performance shows a 19.8% lead (30510 vs 25470), matching the Cinebench multicore margin exactly.

The only test where the Core i5-14400F wins is passmark_extended_instructions, scoring 19937 versus 18216, an 8.6% advantage. This is an outlier in an otherwise one-sided comparison. The Core i5-14400F also has a Geekbench score in the database (11268 multicore, 2058 singlecore), but the Core 5 221E does not have a Geekbench entry, so no direct comparison is possible from the recorded data.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear performance hierarchy: the Intel Core 5 221E is the faster processor in nearly every measured workload. Its 87th percentile placement versus the Core i5-14400F's 83rd percentile is consistent with the head-to-head results. The Core 5 221E offers 14 cores and 20 threads compared to 10 cores and 16 threads, along with a higher boost clock (5.20 GHz vs 4.70 GHz) and larger caches (24 MB L3 vs 20 MB L3). These structural advantages translate into a 19.8% lead across all Cinebench versions and a 101.2% lead in prime number finding.

For workloads that stress integer math, physics simulation, or floating-point calculations, the Core 5 221E is the stronger choice based on the recorded margins. The only scenario where the Core i5-14400F shows an advantage is in extended instruction workloads, where it leads by 8.6%. Users who prioritize that specific workload might consider the Core i5-14400F, but for all other general-purpose computing, the Core 5 221E delivers higher scores. The Core 5 221E also includes integrated graphics, which the Core i5-14400F lacks, making it a more complete package for systems without a discrete GPU. The Core i5-14400F has a lower launch MSRP of $196 versus $232, but performance data does not factor price into the analysis.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the database?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core i5-14400F wins only one test, passmark_extended_instructions.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between these two CPUs?

A: The largest gap is in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the Intel Core 5 221E scores 173 versus 86 for the Intel Core i5-14400F, a 101.2% advantage.

Q: How do they compare in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E scores 25933, while the Intel Core i5-14400F scores 21645. This gives the Core 5 221E a 19.8% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-14400F have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Intel Core i5-14400F has no integrated graphics. The Intel Core 5 221E includes UHD Graphics 730.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core i5-14400F has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What are the cache sizes for these two processors?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Intel Core i5-14400F has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221E | Intel Core i5-14400F |

|----------------|-------------------|----------------------|

| Cores | 14 | 10 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-R |

| Generation | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) | Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 215 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | N/A |

| Release Date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | $196 |