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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably one-sided picture. Across all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the Intel Core 5 221E wins every single comparison. The most dramatic margin appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Core 5 221E scores 173 against the Core i5-14400T's 73, a 137% advantage. This suggests a substantial difference in integer-heavy, latency-sensitive workloads that depend on raw per-core execution speed.

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern of dominance. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 5 221E scores 2613 versus 1732, a 50.9% lead. Single-core in the same test shows 368 versus 244, again a 50.8% gap. The R20 and R23 iterations maintain nearly identical margins: R20 multicore delivers 10891 against 7219 (50.9%), and R23 multicore produces 25933 versus 17189 (50.9%). The consistency of these deltas across rendering workloads indicates that the performance advantage is structural rather than workload-specific.

PassMark integer math shows a 79.4% gap, with the Core 5 221E scoring 117813 compared to 65667. Floating point math follows with a 60.8% difference, 79028 against 49139. Physics simulation in PassMark reveals a 79.3% delta, 2230 versus 1244. These results point to a processor that delivers roughly 1.6 to 1.8 times the throughput in compute-heavy synthetic tests.

Data compression and encryption tasks show smaller but still decisive gaps. The Core 5 221E compresses data at a score of 324285 versus 235636, a 37.6% advantage. Encryption scores 19205 against 13244, a 45% lead. Extended instructions show a 25.1% delta, and random string sorting lands at 49.7%. The narrowest margin in the entire dataset is PassMark single-thread performance, where the Core 5 221E scores 4147 against 3512, an 18.1% improvement. Even in this closest comparison, the lead is substantial.

The average benchmark score reinforces the hierarchy. The Core 5 221E averages 40144 across all tests, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The Core i5-14400T averages 27166, sitting in the 79th percentile. The 47.8% difference in average scores aligns with the individual test results and confirms that this is not a marginal gap but a full performance tier apart.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 221E wins in every category measured, but the magnitude of its advantage varies by workload type. The largest deltas appear in prime number calculation (137%), integer math (79.4%), and physics (79.3%). These are tasks that stress core count, thread scheduling, and high-frequency single-core bursts. The Core 5 221E's 14 cores and 20 threads provide a clear structural edge over the 10 cores and 16 threads of the Core i5-14400T.

Rendering workloads in Cinebench show a uniform 50.9% delta across all versions, suggesting that the multicore scaling is consistent and predictable. The Core 5 221E does not merely win; it wins by the same proportion whether the workload is short (R15) or extended (R23). This stability implies that thermal and power constraints do not cause performance to degrade over longer runs, despite the higher 65 W TDP versus 35 W.

The smallest wins are in single-thread tests (18.1%) and extended instructions (25.1%). These are areas where the Core i5-14400T's lower boost clock of 4.50 GHz is closest to the Core 5 221E's 5.20 GHz. The data suggests that single-threaded performance is the only domain where the Core i5-14400T approaches competitiveness, and even there it falls short by a meaningful margin.

For users, the implication is straightforward. Multi-threaded productivity, content creation, and simulation workloads favor the Core 5 221E by roughly 50% or more. Compression and encryption tasks see a 37.6% to 45% benefit. Lightly threaded applications see the smallest gain at 18.1%, but that is still a significant uplift. There is no workload category in the recorded data where the Core i5-14400T emerges ahead.

FAQ

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

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 5 221E scores 25933 against 17189 for the Core i5-14400T, a 50.9% advantage. The same margin appears in R15 and R20 multicore tests.

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

A: PassMark single-thread performance shows the smallest gap, with the Core 5 221E scoring 4147 versus 3512, an 18.1% lead.

Q: Which CPU has better data encryption performance?

A: The Core 5 221E scores 19205 in PassMark data encryption versus 13244 for the Core i5-14400T, a 45% improvement.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Core 5 221E averages 40144 across all tests, placing in the 87th percentile. The Core i5-14400T averages 27166, placing in the 79th percentile.

Q: Does the Core i5-14400T win any benchmark?

A: No. The Core 5 221E wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons.

Q: What is the difference in prime number calculation performance?

A: The Core 5 221E scores 173 in PassMark find prime numbers, while the Core i5-14400T scores 73, a 137% difference and the largest margin in the dataset.

Specification Differences

The two processors share several specifications: both use Intel Socket 1700, support DDR4 and DDR5 memory, use dual-channel memory buses, include UHD Graphics 730 integrated graphics, support ECC memory, and offer Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both are desktop parts with locked multipliers.

The core configuration differs significantly. The Core 5 221E provides 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core i5-14400T provides 10 cores and 16 threads. This four-core, four-thread difference explains much of the multicore performance gap.

Clock speeds also diverge. The Core 5 221E has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Core i5-14400T operates at 1.50 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. The 0.70 GHz boost advantage for the Core 5 221E contributes to its single-thread lead.

Thermal design power differs by 30 W, with the Core 5 221E rated at 65 W and the Core i5-14400T at 35 W. Cache configurations also vary: the Core 5 221E has 2 MB of L2 per core and 24 MB of shared L3, while the Core i5-14400T has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 20 MB of shared L3. L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core.

Memory bandwidth is listed at 89.6 GB/s for the Core 5 221E, with no figure recorded for the Core i5-14400T. Die size differs as well: 257 mm² for the Core 5 221E versus 215 mm² for the Core i5-14400T. The launch MSRP is $232 for the Core 5 221E and $221 for the Core i5-14400T.

Architecture Differences

The Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake architecture, while the Core i5-14400T is built on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh. Both are fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry. The generation labels reflect the architectural split: the Core 5 221E is classified under Core 5 (Bartlett Lake), while the Core i5-14400T belongs to Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh).

Release timing differs by roughly one year. The Core i5-14400T was released on January 7, 2024, and the Core 5 221E followed on January 12, 2025. Both remain in active production.

Despite the architectural differences, the two chips share identical integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730) and identical PCIe capabilities. The key architectural divergence is in the core layout and cache hierarchy. The Bartlett Lake design in the Core 5 221E pairs more cores with larger L2 and L3 caches, which aligns with its stronger multicore and memory-sensitive benchmark results.

The part numbers differ: the Core 5 221E carries part number SRQDVQ659, while the Core i5-14400T uses SRN3N. Both processors are locked, so overclocking is not available on either platform.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear performance hierarchy. The Core 5 221E outperforms the Core i5-14400T in every measured test, with margins ranging from 18.1% in single-thread performance to 137% in prime number calculation. The average benchmark score of 40144 versus 27166 places the Core 5 221E in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, eight points above the Core i5-14400T's 79th percentile.

For multi-threaded workloads, the choice is unambiguous. Rendering, physics simulation, integer math, and data compression all favor the Core 5 221E by 37.6% to 79.4%. The additional four cores and four threads, combined with higher clock speeds and larger caches, deliver consistent gains across every category.

For power-sensitive configurations, the Core i5-14400T offers a 30 W lower TDP, which may matter in compact or thermally constrained systems. Its 35 W rating and lower base clock of 1.50 GHz suggest it is designed for efficiency rather than peak throughput. However, the performance cost is steep: roughly one-third lower average scores across the benchmark suite.

The nearest rivals in the database provide context. The Core 5 221E sits within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, AMD Ryzen 9 270, and Intel Core i9-13905H in average score. The Core i5-14400T similarly trades places with the Intel Core i9-9900K, AMD Ryzen 7 5700G, Intel Core i7-13700H, and AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G, all within 0.8%. This places the two processors in different competitive tiers: the Core 5 221E competes with modern high-end parts, while the Core i5-14400T aligns with previous-generation upper-midrange silicon.

Users who prioritize raw compute performance should select the Core 5 221E. Its 87th percentile ranking, higher core count, faster boost clock, and larger cache make it the stronger processor in every workload category recorded. Users who need minimal power draw above all else may consider the Core i5-14400T, but they should accept a significant reduction in throughput. The data does not indicate any scenario where the Core i5-14400T matches or exceeds the Core 5 221E in performance.