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

Intel Core 5 221E and Intel Core i7-14700F are both desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1700 platform, but they occupy different positions in Intel's lineup. The Core 5 221E, a Bartlett Lake part, delivers 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core i7-14700F, from the Raptor Lake Refresh family, scales up to 20 cores and 28 threads. The benchmark database records a decisive overall advantage for the i7-14700F, which wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Core 5 221E still holds a place in the market, with its average benchmark score of 40144 placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The i7-14700F, with an average score of 53620, sits in the 91st percentile. These percentile rankings show that while both are strong performers, the i7-14700F operates in a higher performance tier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-14700F claims victory in every single benchmark comparison recorded in the database. The 17 head-to-head tests span Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, plus a full suite of PassMark workloads, and the i7-14700F leads in each one. This is not a narrow advantage limited to one type of application; it is a comprehensive sweep across multi-core rendering, single-core tasks, math operations, encryption, compression, and sorting.

The largest margins appear in PassMark data compression, where the i7-14700F scores 505885 against the Core 5 221E's 324285, a 35.9% difference. Data encryption shows a similar gap, with the i7-14700F at 30144 versus 19205, a 36.3% lead. Extended instructions testing also favors the i7-14700F by 36.2%, with scores of 28564 and 18216. These workloads tend to scale with core count and thread count, and the i7-14700F has 6 more cores and 8 more threads available.

In Cinebench multi-core tests, the i7-14700F maintains a consistent 26.2% advantage across R15, R20, and R23. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-14700F scores 35122 compared to 25933 for the Core 5 221E. Single-core Cinebench results also lean toward the i7-14700F, with a 26.3% lead in R15 single-core (499 versus 368) and a 26.2% lead in R23 single-core (4958 versus 3661). The i7-14700F's higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz, against the Core 5 221E's 5.20 GHz, contributes to these single-thread wins.

The closest race occurs in PassMark find prime numbers, where the i7-14700F scores 176 versus 173, a narrow 1.7% margin. PassMark single-thread testing also shows a modest gap, with the i7-14700F at 4257 and the Core 5 221E at 4147, a 2.6% difference. Physics testing in PassMark sees the i7-14700F ahead by 9.2%, scoring 2455 against 2230. The Core 5 221E has no recorded benchmark wins in this comparison, meaning there is no workload category in the database where it outperforms the i7-14700F.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a 10 nm process node and a 257 mm² die size from Intel, but their internal configurations differ substantially. The Core i7-14700F uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, while the Core 5 221E is based on Bartlett Lake. Both use the same Intel Socket 1700 and support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. Each processor also carries the same per-core cache sizes: 80 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 per core.

The shared L3 cache is where the architectures diverge. The Core 5 221E has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i7-14700F has 33 MB. This 9 MB difference gives the i7-14700F more room for frequently accessed data across its larger core count. The core configuration also differs: the Core 5 221E provides 14 cores and 20 threads, whereas the Core i7-14700F provides 20 cores and 28 threads. This 6-core, 8-thread advantage is the primary driver of the multi-core performance gap.

Clock speeds show a mixed picture. The Core 5 221E has a higher base clock of 2.70 GHz versus the i7-14700F's 2.10 GHz. However, the i7-14700F's boost clock reaches 5.40 GHz, exceeding the Core 5 221E's 5.20 GHz. The higher base clock on the Core 5 221E does not translate into benchmark wins, as the i7-14700F's superior boost clock and core count dominate in all recorded tests.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 221E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Core i7-14700F has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A. This makes the Core 5 221E a more flexible option for systems without a discrete GPU, although the i7-14700F compensates with higher raw CPU performance. Both processors support ECC memory, a feature typically associated with workstation or server environments. PCIe connectivity is identical, with Gen 5 and 16 lanes available from the CPU.

The release timeline also separates the two. The Core i7-14700F launched on 2024-01-07, while the Core 5 221E launched on 2025-01-12. The production status for both is listed as Active. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, meaning overclocking is not supported on either part. The Core i7-14700F carries the part number SRN3Z, while the Core 5 221E uses SRQDVQ659.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite provides a clear picture of the performance hierarchy. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-14700F scores 3540 against 2613 for the Core 5 221E, a 26.2% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar 26.3% gap, with 499 versus 368. Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern: multi-core at 14751 versus 10891, and single-core at 2082 versus 1537, both showing a 26.2% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core delivers the highest absolute scores, with the i7-14700F at 35122 and the Core 5 221E at 25933, again a 26.2% gap. Single-core R23 sees 4958 versus 3661.

PassMark integer math shows a 24.4% advantage for the i7-14700F, scoring 155808 against 117813. Floating point math follows with a 26.1% lead, at 107005 versus 79028. The multithread PassMark test records 41317 for the i7-14700F and 30510 for the Core 5 221E, a 26.2% difference. Random string sorting favors the i7-14700F by 32.6%, with scores of 55918 and 37686.

The most significant gaps appear in PassMark data compression, encryption, and extended instructions. Data compression shows the i7-14700F at 505885 versus 324285, a 35.9% lead. Data encryption records 30144 versus 19205, a 36.3% gap. Extended instructions testing shows 28564 versus 18216, a 36.2% difference. These three workloads benefit most from the additional cores and threads on the i7-14700F.

The smallest margins are in PassMark find prime numbers and single-thread tests. Find prime numbers shows 176 versus 173, a 1.7% edge for the i7-14700F. Single-thread testing records 4257 versus 4147, a 2.6% difference. Physics testing sits in between, with the i7-14700F at 2455 and the Core 5 221E at 2230, a 9.2% gap. Across all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, the i7-14700F never loses a single test, and the Core 5 221E records zero wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

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

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

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

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core 5 221E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Core i7-14700F has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two?

A: The Core i7-14700F has a higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the Core 5 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz.

Q: How many head-to-head benchmarks does each processor win?

A: The Core i7-14700F wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the Core 5 221E wins none.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. Core count stands at 20 for the i7-14700F versus 14 for the Core 5 221E. Thread count is 28 versus 20. Base clock is 2.10 GHz for the i7-14700F and 2.70 GHz for the Core 5 221E. Boost clock is 5.40 GHz for the i7-14700F and 5.20 GHz for the Core 5 221E. L3 cache is 33 MB shared for the i7-14700F and 24 MB shared for the Core 5 221E.

Memory bandwidth is listed as 89.6 GB/s for the Core 5 221E, while the i7-14700F has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. Integrated graphics are N/A for the i7-14700F, while the Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730. The architecture field is Raptor Lake for the i7-14700F and null for the Core 5 221E, though the codename for the Core 5 221E is Bartlett Lake and Raptor Lake-R for the i7-14700F. The generation is Core i7 (Raptor Lake Refresh) for the i7-14700F and Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) for the Core 5 221E.

Release dates differ, with the i7-14700F launching on 2024-01-07 and the Core 5 221E on 2025-01-12. Launch MSRP is $359 for the i7-14700F and $232 for the Core 5 221E. Part numbers are SRN3Z for the i7-14700F and SRQDVQ659 for the Core 5 221E. The series field is Core 14th Gen for the i7-14700F and null for the Core 5 221E. Both processors share the same socket, process node, die size, L1 and L2 cache per core, memory support, memory bus, ECC support, PCIe configuration, market segment, production status, and unlocked multiplier status.