Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core i7-14700 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700 has 20 cores and 28 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700 boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz. The Core i7 also has a lower base clock at 2.10 GHz versus 2.70 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 5 221E and Intel Core i7-14700 support ECC memory, and both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory types.

Q: How do the integrated graphics differ?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Intel Core i7-14700 uses UHD Graphics 770.

Q: Which processor has a higher overall benchmark percentile?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700 sits at the 91st percentile among all CPUs, compared to the 87th percentile for the Intel Core 5 221E.

Q: What is the L3 cache size difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700 has 33 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 221E has 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, while the Intel Core i7-14700 belongs to the Raptor Lake-R refresh, with architecture listed as Raptor Lake. Both are built on the same 10 nm process node and share the same 257 mm² die size, fabricated by Intel.

The core configuration is a major differentiator. The Core 5 221E provides 14 cores and 20 threads, whereas the Core i7-14700 delivers 20 cores and 28 threads. Per-core L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core, and L2 cache matches at 2 MB per core. The L3 cache favors the Core i7-14700 with 33 MB shared versus 24 MB shared.

Both chips use the Intel Socket 1700 and support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. The Core 5 221E lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Core i7-14700 does not have a recorded bandwidth figure. Both support ECC memory and provide PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5 221E, UHD Graphics 770 on the Core i7-14700.

The release timeline is close. The Core i7-14700 launched in January 2024, and the Core 5 221E followed in January 2025. Both remain active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. Launch MSRP for the Core 5 221E is $232, while the Core i7-14700 has a launch MSRP of $384.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows a clear split between the two processors. The Intel Core i7-14700 wins 13 of 17 head-to-head tests, including all major multi-core workloads and most single-threaded tests. Its average benchmark score of 52301 places it at the 91st percentile, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Gold 5320H (0.2% behind), AMD EPYC 8124P (0.3% behind), and Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX (0.4% behind).

The Intel Core 5 221E wins 4 tests, but those wins are concentrated in specific scenarios. It holds a 76% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core, a 23.1% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core, a 5.5% lead in PassMark find prime numbers, and a marginal 0.2% lead in PassMark physics. Its average benchmark score of 40144 places it at the 87th percentile, with nearest rivals like the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (0.2% behind) and AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (0.2% behind).

For users running heavily threaded workloads, rendering, or data compression, the Core i7-14700 is the stronger pick. The data shows consistent double-digit leads in Cinebench multi-core tests and PassMark multi-threaded workloads. For users prioritizing single-core performance in legacy Cinebench R15 or the specific PassMark prime number test, the Core 5 221E has an advantage. However, the Core i7-14700 also wins the modern single-core tests in Cinebench R20 and PassMark single-thread, so the Core 5 221E's single-core edge is not universal.

The Core 5 221E carries a lower launch MSRP, but the benchmark data does not support treating it as a direct substitute. The Core i7-14700 delivers substantially higher throughput across the board, with 35.7% better Cinebench R15 multi-core, 24.3% better Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 34.9% better PassMark data compression.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221E | Intel Core i7-14700 |

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

| Cores | 14 | 20 |

| Threads | 20 | 28 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 33 MB (shared) |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-R |

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

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

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

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

| Launch MSRP | $232 | $384 |

| Part Number | SRQDVQ659 | SRN40 |

Both CPUs share the same process node (10 nm), die size (257 mm²), socket (Intel Socket 1700), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC support, PCIe configuration (Gen 5, 16 lanes), L1 cache (80 KB per core), L2 cache (2 MB per core), TDP (65 W), market segment (Desktop), and production status (Active).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-14700 dominates multi-core performance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 4061 against 2613, a 35.7% advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 14388 versus 10891, a 24.3% margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core is closer at 28398 versus 25933, but still an 8.7% win for the Core i7-14700.

PassMark multi-thread results reinforce this pattern. The Core i7-14700 scores 40318 versus 30510, a 24.3% lead. Data compression favors the Core i7-14700 at 498198 versus 324285, a 34.9% gap. Data encryption shows 29601 versus 19205, a 35.1% margin. Extended instructions follow with 28388 versus 18216, a 35.8% difference. Floating-point math goes to the Core i7-14700 at 106716 versus 79028, a 25.9% lead. Integer math shows 154535 versus 117813, a 23.8% margin. Random string sorting favors the Core i7-14700 at 54340 versus 37686, a 30.6% advantage.

Single-core results are mixed. The Intel Core 5 221E wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 368 versus 299, a 23.1% lead. It also wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 3661 versus 2080, a 76% advantage. The Core i7-14700 counters with Cinebench R20 single-core at 2031 versus 1537, a 24.3% win. PassMark single-thread goes narrowly to the Core i7-14700 at 4236 versus 4147, a 2.1% margin.

Two additional tests favor the Core 5 221E. PassMark find prime numbers shows 173 versus 164, a 5.5% edge. PassMark physics shows 2230 versus 2226, a marginal 0.2% difference. The Core i7-14700 also has Geekbench scores recorded: 17087 multi-core and 2409 single-core, which the Core 5 221E lacks in the database.

The wins tally stands at 13 for the Core i7-14700 and 4 for the Core 5 221E. The average benchmark scores confirm the overall margin: 52301 for the Core i7-14700 versus 40144 for the Core 5 221E.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-14700 wins across the majority of workloads. It is the clear choice for multi-threaded applications, as demonstrated by its Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core results, all with double-digit or near-double-digit margins. PassMark data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating-point math, integer math, and random string sorting all favor the Core i7-14700 by margins between 23.8% and 35.8%. For modern single-core tasks, the Core i7-14700 also wins in Cinebench R20 single-core and PassMark single-thread, with the latter being a narrow 2.1% margin.

The Intel Core 5 221E wins a smaller set of tests, but those wins are not trivial. Cinebench R23 single-core is a standout result: 3661 versus 2080, a 76% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core also goes to the Core 5 221E with a 23.1% lead. PassMark find prime numbers favors the Core 5 221E by 5.5%, and PassMark physics shows a 0.2% edge, which is statistically negligible.

The use-case split follows these results. The Core i7-14700 suits workloads involving large data sets, compression, encryption, and multi-threaded rendering. The Core 5 221E shows a specific strength in older single-threaded benchmarks and prime number calculations. For most practical workloads, the Core i7-14700's broader set of wins, higher average score, and higher percentile ranking make it the stronger processor. The Core 5 221E remains competitive only in narrow single-thread scenarios where its Cinebench R23 and R15 single-core results stand out.