Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core i5-14450HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core 5 221E wins every single recorded test against the Intel Core i5-14450HX, 17 wins to 0. The largest victories appear in integer-heavy and physics workloads. In PassMark integer math, the Core 5 221E scores 117813 versus 78330, a 50.4% advantage. PassMark physics shows a 51.2% lead (2230 vs 1475). Prime number finding delivers the biggest raw delta at 76.5% (173 vs 98), and floating point math comes in at 36.2% ahead (79028 vs 58037).

Multi-core rendering results follow the same pattern. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 25933 vs 20108, a 29% gap. Cinebench R20 multi-core: 10891 vs 8445, also 29%. Cinebench R15 multi-core: 2613 vs 2026, 29%. The consistency of the 29% multi-core delta across all three Cinebench versions indicates a structural advantage in thread throughput rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

Single-core performance also favors the Core 5 221E, but by a smaller margin. Cinebench R23 single-core: 3661 vs 2838, a 29% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core: 1537 vs 1191, 29.1%. Cinebench R15 single-core: 368 vs 285, 29.1%. PassMark single-thread shows a narrower 13.8% edge (4147 vs 3643). The single-core consistency suggests clock speed and architecture are the deciding factors, while the narrower PassMark result may reflect a different instruction mix.

Data-centric tasks show moderate to strong wins. Data compression: 324285 vs 278538, a 16.4% lead. Data encryption: 19205 vs 15574, a 23.3% lead. Random string sorting: 37686 vs 29565, a 27.5% lead. Extended instructions: 18216 vs 17207, a 5.9% lead, the smallest margin in the entire comparison. PassMark multithread: 30510 vs 23680, 28.8%.

The aggregate average benchmark score for the Core 5 221E is 40144, placing it at the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-14450HX averages 32040, at the 82nd percentile. The Core 5 221E sits within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 9 270 (40246) and within 0.2% of the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (40081) and AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (40048). The i5-14450HX trails its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-13705H, by 0.1% (32076) and sits 0.6% behind the Intel Core i9-11900 (32226).

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge in core configuration. The Core 5 221E packs 14 cores and 20 threads, while the i5-14450HX has 10 cores and 16 threads. That difference of 4 cores and 4 threads directly explains the large multi-core margins. The Core 5 221E belongs to the Bartlett Lake codename and is labeled as Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation. The i5-14450HX uses Raptor Lake-HX architecture, with the generation listed as Core i5 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh). Both are built on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry, and both have a die size of 257 mm².

Cache allocation differs in L3 only. Both use 80 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core. The Core 5 221E has 24 MB of shared L3 cache versus 20 MB on the i5-14450HX. That extra 4 MB of L3 may contribute to the advantage in data compression and encryption workloads, which benefit from larger working sets in cache.

Clock speeds favor the Core 5 221E. Its base clock is 2.70 GHz and boost clock is 5.20 GHz. The i5-14450HX runs at 2.40 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The higher boost clock on the Core 5 221E supports its single-core wins. The thermal design power differs too: 65 W for the Core 5 221E versus 55 W for the i5-14450HX. The Core 5 221E also has a higher power budget, which aligns with its desktop segment, while the i5-14450HX is a mobile part.

Memory support is identical in type: both accept DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel. The Core 5 221E records a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s; the i5-14450HX has no recorded bandwidth figure. Both support ECC memory. PCIe is the same: Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ: the Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730, the i5-14450HX uses UHD Graphics 710.

The Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. The i5-14450HX uses Intel BGA 1964, a mobile socket. This makes the Core 5 221E a replacement part for desktop boards and the i5-14450HX a soldered mobile processor. The multiplier is locked on the Core 5 221E but unlocked on the i5-14450HX, meaning the mobile chip permits overclocking while the desktop chip does not.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 221E wins every benchmark in the database, so the use-case split is a matter of degree rather than direction. Its strongest relative performance is in prime number finding (76.5% ahead), physics (51.2%), integer math (50.4%), and floating point math (36.2%). These results indicate a clear advantage for scientific computing, simulation, and any workload that relies heavily on arithmetic throughput.

For multi-threaded rendering and content creation, the Core 5 221E delivers a consistent 29% lead across all Cinebench versions. That makes it the stronger choice for video encoding, 3D rendering, and batch processing tasks that scale with core count. The 14-core, 20-thread configuration provides more parallel execution capacity than the 10-core, 16-thread i5-14450HX.

Single-core performance also favors the Core 5 221E, with a 29% lead in Cinebench single-core tests and a 13.8% lead in PassMark single-thread. Applications that depend on high per-core performance, such as legacy software or lightly threaded games, would see the advantage from the 5.20 GHz boost clock.

The i5-14450HX has no benchmark wins to claim. Its smaller margins come in extended instructions, where the Core 5 221E is only 5.9% ahead, and data compression at 16.4%. For users who prioritize the mobile form factor, the i5-14450HX offers a lower 55 W TDP and an unlocked multiplier, but the data shows no performance category where it comes out on top. The i5-14450HX does have a lower base clock and boost clock, so any workload that runs below the boost threshold would run slower.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E wins all multi-core tests. Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 25933 versus 20108, a 29% lead. PassMark multithread scores 30510 versus 23680, a 28.8% lead.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap?

A: The Core 5 221E leads by 29% in Cinebench R23 single-core (3661 vs 2838) and by 13.8% in PassMark single-thread (4147 vs 3643). The higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz supports this edge.

Q: What is the biggest benchmark difference between the two?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core 5 221E scores 173 versus 98, a 76.5% advantage. PassMark physics follows at 51.2% (2230 vs 1475).

Q: Do both processors support the same memory and PCIe features?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel memory, and ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core 5 221E records 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, while the i5-14450HX has no recorded bandwidth figure.

Q: Are there any workloads where the i5-14450HX is competitive?

A: The i5-14450HX does not win any recorded benchmark. Its closest margin is in PassMark extended instructions, where the Core 5 221E leads by only 5.9% (18216 vs 17207).

Q: What are the socket and market segment differences?

A: The Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700 and is a desktop part. The i5-14450HX uses Intel BGA 1964 and is a mobile part. The Core 5 221E has a locked multiplier; the i5-14450HX has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The recorded data makes a clear recommendation: the Intel Core 5 221E is the superior processor on every measured metric. It wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with margins ranging from 5.9% in extended instructions to 76.5% in prime number finding. Its average benchmark score of 40144 places it at the 87th percentile, while the i5-14450HX averages 32040 at the 82nd percentile. The Core 5 221E also sits within 0.4% of several high-end rivals, including the AMD Ryzen 9 270 and Intel Core i9-13905H, whereas the i5-14450HX trails its nearest rivals by 0.1% to 0.6%.

The Core 5 221E offers 4 more cores and 4 more threads than the i5-14450HX, a 4 MB larger L3 cache, a 0.30 GHz higher base clock, and a 0.40 GHz higher boost clock. It also carries a 10 W higher TDP, which is consistent with its desktop design. For desktop users who need maximum multi-threaded and single-threaded performance, the Core 5 221E is the clear choice from the data.

The i5-14450HX, while never winning a benchmark, is the mobile option. It consumes less power at 55 W and uses a BGA socket for laptops. Its unlocked multiplier offers overclocking potential that the Core 5 221E lacks, though the recorded benchmarks do not show any overclocked results. Users requiring a socketed desktop processor should choose the Core 5 221E; users building a mobile system with the i5-14450HX must accept its lower measured performance across all tests.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221E | Intel Core i5-14450HX |

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

| Cores | 14 | 10 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Architecture | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-HX |

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

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

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | None recorded |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | UHD Graphics 710 |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier | Locked | Unlocked |

| Part number | SRQDVQ659 | SRMXK |