Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core i7-14650HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a split personality between these two Intel processors. The Intel Core 5 221E wins 8 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i7-14650HX wins 9. The overall average benchmark scores are close: the Core 5 221E averages 40144, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-14650HX averages 41576, in the 88th percentile. The i7-14650HX holds a 3.6% average score advantage, but the distribution of wins reveals distinct strengths.

The most decisive victory for the Core 5 221E comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 3661 against the i7-14650HX's 1969, a 85.9% lead. That gap is enormous and suggests the Core 5 221E has a substantially stronger single-thread architecture. Cinebench R15 single-core confirms the pattern: 368 versus 285.5, a 28.9% advantage for the Core 5 221E. The PassMark single-thread test also favors the Core 5 221E at 4147 versus 3841, an 8% margin.

Multi-core results are more complicated. The i7-14650HX wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 24.7% (3470.5 versus 2613) and Cinebench R20 multi-core by 8.8% (11946 versus 10891). However, the Core 5 221E strikes back in Cinebench R23 multi-core with 25933 versus 20454, a 26.8% margin. This reversal across Cinebench versions indicates workload-specific scaling behavior that favors each chip differently depending on the test's duration and thread scheduling.

In PassMark workloads, the i7-14650HX dominates data compression (398418 versus 324285, 18.6% ahead), data encryption (22917 versus 19205, 16.2% ahead), extended instructions (24150 versus 18216, 24.6% ahead), floating-point math (84999 versus 79028, 7% ahead), multithreaded performance (33495 versus 30510, 8.9% ahead), and random string sorting (43035 versus 37686, 12.4% ahead). The Core 5 221E counters with wins in find prime numbers (173 versus 152, 13.8% ahead), integer math (117813 versus 116661, 1% ahead), and physics (2230 versus 2202, 1.3% ahead).

Architecture Differences

Both processors use Intel's 10 nm process node and share the same die size of 257 mm². The Core 5 221E belongs to the Bartlett Lake generation and carries the codename Bartlett Lake, while the i7-14650HX is part of the Core 14th Gen series with the Raptor Lake architecture and Raptor Lake-HX codename. The i7-14650HX is a refresh of the Raptor Lake-HX line, while the Core 5 221E is a newer Bartlett Lake desktop part.

Core counts differ: the Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the i7-14650HX has 16 cores and 24 threads. Both use 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache differs, with the Core 5 221E offering 24 MB and the i7-14650HX offering 30 MB.

Base clocks differ notably. The Core 5 221E runs at 2.70 GHz base, while the i7-14650HX runs at 2.20 GHz base. Both boost to 5.20 GHz. The Core 5 221E carries a 65 W TDP, higher than the i7-14650HX's 55 W. The i7-14650HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 5 221E does not.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the i7-14650HX uses UHD Graphics 710. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, and both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is identical: Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The market segments separate them clearly. The Core 5 221E is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, released on 2025-01-12. The i7-14650HX is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1964, released on 2024-01-07. The Core 5 221E has a launch MSRP of $232; no launch MSRP is recorded for the i7-14650HX.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E scores 3661, which is 85.9% higher than the i7-14650HX's 1969.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E averages 40144, while the i7-14650HX averages 41576. The i7-14650HX is about 3.6% higher on average.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, and both support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The i7-14650HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Are both processors on the same process node?

A: Yes, both use Intel's 10 nm process node and have the same 257 mm² die size.

Q: Which processor wins in PassMark multithreaded performance?

A: The i7-14650HX scores 33495, which is 8.9% higher than the Core 5 221E's 30510.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221E | Intel Core i7-14650HX |

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

| Cores | 14 | 16 |

| Threads | 20 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Architecture | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-HX |

| Generation | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) | Core i7 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

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

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

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Launch MSRP | $232 | Not recorded |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

The Verdict

The data indicates two different design goals. The Intel Core 5 221E is a desktop part that prioritizes single-thread performance and specific integer workloads. Its 85.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 28.9% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core make it the stronger choice for lightly threaded applications. It also wins in PassMark integer math, physics, and prime number finding, which suggests strength in logic-heavy tasks.

The Intel Core i7-14650HX is a mobile part with more cores, more threads, and a larger L3 cache. It wins the majority of PassMark workloads, particularly data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating-point math, and random string sorting. Its 24.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 8.8% lead in Cinebench R20 multi-core show strong throughput in shorter multi-threaded bursts, though the Core 5 221E overtakes it in the longer R23 multi-core test.

The i7-14650HX has the higher average benchmark score at 41576 versus 40144, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, which it trails by 0.5%, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H, which trails it by 0.1%. The Core 5 221E's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, which it leads by 0.2%, and the AMD Ryzen 9 270, which leads it by 0.3%. Both processors sit in a tight performance cluster around the 40000 to 41600 average score range.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 221E wins in scenarios dominated by single-thread performance. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3661 and R15 single-core score of 368 indicate strong per-core capability. The PassMark single-thread score of 4147 confirms this. Workloads like integer math, where it scores 117813, and physics, where it scores 2230, also favor this chip. The 65 W TDP and desktop socket placement suggest it is designed for sustained desktop operation with adequate cooling.

The i7-14650HX wins in data-heavy and parallel workloads. Its data compression score of 398418 and data encryption score of 22917 point to strong throughput in archival and security tasks. Extended instructions at 24150 and floating-point math at 84999 cover scientific and multimedia workloads. The multithreaded PassMark score of 33495 and the Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core results favor this chip in short parallel bursts. The 55 W TDP and mobile socket indicate it is built for high-end laptops where power efficiency matters, and the unlocked multiplier offers overclocking flexibility on supported platforms.

The choice between the two comes down to whether single-thread dominance or parallel throughput matters more. The Core 5 221E delivers exceptional single-core results and wins in several integer workloads, while the i7-14650HX provides more cores, more threads, more L3 cache, and wins the majority of the PassMark suite. Both processors hold similar positions in their respective rival clusters, with the i7-14650HX slightly ahead on average score.