Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core i5-14600 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear overall advantage for the Intel Core i5-14600, which wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 5 221E takes only two wins. Across the Cinebench suite, the Core i5-14600 leads by a consistent margin. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core i5-14600 scores 3070 against 2613 for the Core 5 221E, a 14.9% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the same pattern: 433 versus 368, a 15% lead. This consistency extends through Cinebench R20 and R23, where the Core i5-14600 posts 12794 versus 10891 in R20 multicore and 30464 versus 25933 in R23 multicore, both with a 14.9% delta. Single-core results in R20 (1806 versus 1537) and R23 (4300 versus 3661) also favor the Core i5-14600 by 14.9%.

The Passmark suite reveals where the Core 5 221E can close the gap or even pull ahead. In Passmark integer math, the Core 5 221E scores 117813 against 117078 for the Core i5-14600, a slim 0.6% win. The find prime numbers test is the largest win for the Core 5 221E, with 173 points versus 155, a 11.6% margin. These two victories indicate that the Core 5 221E holds an edge in specific integer-heavy workloads.

The Core i5-14600 dominates the remaining Passmark tests by substantial margins. Data compression shows 434620 versus 324285, a 25.4% difference. Data encryption favors the Core i5-14600 at 25082 against 19205, a 23.4% gap. Extended instructions deliver 25674 versus 18216, a 29% lead. Random string sorting shows 48043 versus 37686, a 21.6% difference. Floating point math favors the Core i5-14600 at 85759 versus 79028, a 7.8% margin. The multithread test gives 35848 versus 30510, a 14.9% lead. Physics tests show 2330 versus 2230, a 4.3% edge. Passmark single-thread results are close, with 4167 versus 4147, just a 0.5% difference.

The average benchmark score reinforces this split. The Core i5-14600 averages 44889 across all recorded benchmarks, placing it at the 89th percentile among all CPUs. The Core 5 221E averages 40144, sitting at the 87th percentile. The Core i5-14600 is 10.8% ahead in average score. The nearest rivals for the Core 5 221E include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 with a 0.2% higher score, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 with a 0.2% higher score, the AMD Ryzen 9 270 with a 0.3% lower score, and the Intel Core i9-13905H with a 0.4% lower score. The Core i5-14600 sits near the Intel Core i9-12900KS, which scores 0.5% higher, and the AMD EPYC 4344P, also 0.5% higher, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D trails by 0.7% and the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H trails by 1%.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental platform characteristics. Each uses Intel Socket 1700, a 10 nm process node, and is manufactured by Intel. Both have 14 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. TDP is 65 watts for both. Die size matches at 257 mm². Cache layouts are identical: 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, and both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity matches with Gen 5 and 16 lanes from the CPU.

The distinction lies in the silicon design and generation. The Core 5 221E is built on the Bartlett Lake architecture, with the codename Bartlett Lake, and belongs to the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation. The Core i5-14600 uses the Raptor Lake architecture, with the codename Raptor Lake-R, and is part of the Core 14th Gen series within the Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. The Core 5 221E was released on 2025-01-12, while the Core i5-14600 launched earlier on 2024-01-07.

The integrated graphics differ between the two. The Core 5 221E carries UHD Graphics 730, while the Core i5-14600 uses UHD Graphics 770. This is a functional difference for systems relying on the integrated GPU. The memory bandwidth figure is recorded only for the Core 5 221E at 89.6 GB/s; no corresponding number is listed for the Core i5-14600 in the database. Both processors have locked multipliers, preventing overclocking. The part numbers are SRQDVQ659 for the Core 5 221E and SRN44 for the Core i5-14600. The launch MSRP for the Core 5 221E is $232, and for the Core i5-14600 it is $255. Both are listed as Active in production status and target the Desktop market segment.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i5-14600 establishes dominance in nearly every measured workload category. It leads in all Cinebench tests, which stress both multi-core and single-core rendering performance. The consistent 14.9% margin across the rendering suite indicates a well-rounded advantage in threaded compute tasks. The Passmark multithread test confirms this with the same 14.9% lead. For content creation, video encoding, 3D rendering, and general productivity, the Core i5-14600 is the stronger choice based on the recorded benchmark data.

Memory-intensive and data-processing tasks also favor the Core i5-14600 decisively. Data compression shows a 25.4% advantage, data encryption a 23.4% lead, and random string sorting a 21.6% margin. Extended instruction workloads, which often include SIMD-heavy code, give the Core i5-14600 a 29% advantage. These results indicate that the Core i5-14600 handles large data sets and algorithmic workloads more efficiently.

The Core 5 221E wins in two specific benchmarks. The find prime numbers test, which typically stresses integer division and modular arithmetic, shows an 11.6% advantage for the Core 5 221E. The integer math test gives the Core 5 221E a narrow 0.6% win. These two results suggest that the Bartlett Lake design has a slight edge in certain integer compute patterns, though the overall integer performance is nearly identical between the two. For workloads that are heavily dependent on prime number generation or similar integer operations, the Core 5 221E may provide a marginal benefit.

Floating point math shows a modest 7.8% lead for the Core i5-14600, and physics tests show a 4.3% advantage. Single-thread performance is nearly tied, with only a 0.5% difference favoring the Core i5-14600. This means that for lightly threaded applications, the two processors perform almost identically, and the choice between them has minimal impact. The Core i5-14600 also holds a small edge in the Passmark single-thread test at 4167 versus 4147.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600 has an average benchmark score of 44889, while the Intel Core 5 221E averages 40144. The Core i5-14600 also sits at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, compared to the 87th percentile for the Core 5 221E.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-thread performance?

A: The Passmark single-thread test shows the Core i5-14600 at 4167 and the Core 5 221E at 4147, a 0.5% difference. The Cinebench R23 single-core test gives the Core i5-14600 a larger lead at 4300 versus 3661, a 14.9% margin.

Q: Are there any workloads where the Core 5 221E outperforms the Core i5-14600?

A: Yes. The Core 5 221E wins the Passmark find prime numbers test with 173 versus 155, an 11.6% advantage, and the Passmark integer math test with 117813 versus 117078, a 0.6% lead.

Q: What are the differences in integrated graphics?

A: The Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core i5-14600 uses UHD Graphics 770. No benchmark scores for integrated graphics are recorded in the database.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, and both support ECC memory. The Core 5 221E has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while no corresponding figure is listed for the Core i5-14600.

Q: What is the release date difference between the two?

A: The Core 5 221E was released on 2025-01-12, and the Core i5-14600 was released on 2024-01-07. The Core i5-14600 launched approximately one year earlier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221E | Intel Core i5-14600 |

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

| Architecture | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-R |

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

| Series | Not specified | Core 14th Gen |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not specified |

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

| Launch MSRP | $232 | $255 |

| Part Number | SRQDVQ659 | SRN44 |

All other recorded specifications are identical between the two processors. Both have 14 cores, 20 threads, 2.70 GHz base clock, 5.20 GHz boost clock, 65 W TDP, Intel Socket 1700, 10 nm process node, 257 mm² die size, 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, 24 MB shared L3, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, Desktop market segment, Active production status, and locked multipliers.