Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core i9-14900 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between these two Intel desktop processors is decisive but not one-sided. The Intel Core i9-14900 wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 5 221E takes only 2. However, the two wins for the Core 5 221E are notable because they occur in single-core Cinebench tests, an area where the newer Bartlett Lake part demonstrates a clear advantage.

The Core i9-14900 dominates in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 4793 against 2613, a 45.5% lead. The Cinebench R20 multicore result shows 15910 versus 10891, a 31.5% margin. The R23 multicore test narrows the gap somewhat, with the i9-14900 scoring 31070 against 25933, a 16.5% advantage. This pattern continues across PassMark tests: data compression shows 550271 versus 324285 (41.1% ahead), data encryption 33540 versus 19205 (42.7% ahead), and extended instructions 30624 versus 18216 (40.5% ahead). Floating point math favors the i9-14900 by 34.3%, integer math by 32.7%, and multithread by 31.6%. Random string sorting shows a 38.3% gap, physics a 10.3% gap, and find prime numbers an 8% gap.

The Core 5 221E wins Cinebench R15 singlecore with 368 against 315, a 16.8% margin, and Cinebench R23 singlecore with 3661 against 2212, a substantial 65.5% lead. Interestingly, in PassMark single-thread tests, the i9-14900 edges ahead with 4323 versus 4147, a 4.1% margin, and Cinebench R20 singlecore also goes to the i9-14900 with 2245 versus 1537, a 31.5% difference. This inconsistency across single-thread tests suggests the Core 5 221E performs best in certain Cinebench iterations while the i9-14900 holds a small edge in PassMark's single-thread measurement.

For users prioritizing heavily threaded applications such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific computing, the data clearly favors the Core i9-14900. The Core 5 221E shows its strength in lighter single-thread tasks where its higher boost clock and newer architecture deliver measurable gains, particularly in Cinebench R23 singlecore where the delta reaches 65.5%.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share Intel's 10 nm process node and the LGA 1700 socket, but they differ significantly in their architectural lineage. The Core i9-14900 belongs to the Raptor Lake Refresh generation, codenamed Raptor Lake-R, while the Core 5 221E comes from the Bartlett Lake generation with the codename Bartlett Lake. Both are fabricated by Intel and use a 257 mm² die size.

Core counts diverge sharply. The i9-14900 offers 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Core 5 221E provides 14 cores and 20 threads. This 10-core difference explains much of the multi-threaded performance gap. Cache configurations also differ: both use 80 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core, but the i9-14900 has 36 MB shared L3 cache versus 24 MB on the Core 5 221E, a 12 MB difference.

Clock speeds tell a complementary story. The Core 5 221E has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The i9-14900 starts at a lower 2.00 GHz base but boosts higher to 5.80 GHz. The higher boost on the i9-14900 does not consistently translate to single-core superiority, as the Cinebench results show, suggesting architectural differences in instruction handling or power management affect real-world outcomes.

Both chips support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory. The Core 5 221E records a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i9-14900 has no recorded bandwidth figure in the database. PCIe connectivity is identical: Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ, with the Core 5 221E using UHD Graphics 730 and the i9-14900 using UHD Graphics 770. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are currently active in production.

The release timeline places the i9-14900 earlier, with a January 2024 launch, while the Core 5 221E arrived in January 2025. The launch MSRP for the Core 5 221E is $232, while the i9-14900 lists at $549. Both target the desktop market segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 wins 15 of 17 head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core 5 221E wins only 2, both in Cinebench single-core tests.

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

A: The largest multi-core margin appears in Cinebench R15, where the i9-14900 leads by 45.5%. Cinebench R20 shows a 31.5% gap, while R23 narrows to 16.5%. PassMark multithread shows a 31.6% difference.

Q: Is the Core 5 221E faster in any workload?

A: Yes, the Core 5 221E wins Cinebench R15 singlecore by 16.8% and Cinebench R23 singlecore by 65.5%. However, the i9-14900 wins Cinebench R20 singlecore by 31.5% and PassMark single-thread by 4.1%.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

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

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: Both use 80 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core. The i9-14900 has 36 MB shared L3, while the Core 5 221E has 24 MB shared L3.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, based on recorded data.

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221E | Intel Core i9-14900 |

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

| Series | null | Core 14th Gen |

| Cores | 14 | 24 |

| Threads | 20 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.80 GHz |

| Architecture | null | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-R |

| Generation | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) | Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | null |

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

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

| Launch MSRP | $232 | $549 |

| Part Number | SRQDVQ659 | SRN3V |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 87 | 92 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 40144 | 58115 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the Core i9-14900 comes in Cinebench R15 multicore, where its 4793 score surpasses the Core 5 221E's 2613 by 45.5%. This is the widest margin in any test, reflecting the i9-14900's substantial core count advantage in a workload that scales well across threads.

Data encryption shows a 42.7% gap, with the i9-14900 scoring 33540 against 19205. Data compression follows at 41.1% (550271 versus 324285), and extended instructions at 40.5% (30624 versus 18216). These PassMark results consistently favor the i9-14900 by roughly 32% to 43%, indicating strong scaling across varied instruction types.

Random string sorting shows a 38.3% difference, floating point math a 34.3% difference, and integer math a 32.7% difference. The multithread test records 44578 versus 30510, a 31.6% margin. Physics shows a smaller 10.3% gap, and find prime numbers the narrowest multi-core margin at 8%.

The Core 5 221E's biggest win is Cinebench R23 singlecore, where 3661 beats 2212 by 65.5%. This is the largest delta in either direction across all tests. Cinebench R15 singlecore also goes to the Core 5 221E with 368 versus 315, a 16.8% margin. In contrast, the i9-14900 wins Cinebench R20 singlecore with 2245 versus 1537, a 31.5% gap, and PassMark single-thread with 4323 versus 4147, a 4.1% margin.

The inconsistency in single-core results across different Cinebench versions and PassMark suggests the Core 5 221E performs best in newer Cinebench single-core iterations, while the i9-14900 holds advantages in older versions and PassMark's methodology. The 65.5% R23 singlecore win stands as the standout result for the Core 5 221E.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i9-14900 as the stronger overall processor. Its 92nd percentile ranking versus the Core 5 221E's 87th percentile, combined with an average benchmark score of 58115 against 40144, confirms its higher position in the database. The 15-2 win count in head-to-head tests leaves little ambiguity for multi-threaded workloads.

Users with thread-heavy applications should select the i9-14900. Its 24 cores, 32 threads, and 36 MB L3 cache deliver leads ranging from 8% to 45.5% across every multi-core benchmark in the comparison. The consistent 30% to 43% margins in PassMark tests indicate reliable scaling across data compression, encryption, math operations, and sorting tasks.

The Core 5 221E appeals to a narrower use case: single-threaded performance in Cinebench workloads. Its 65.5% win in R23 singlecore is remarkable, and the 16.8% margin in R15 singlecore reinforces this strength. However, the i9-14900 counters with wins in R20 singlecore and PassMark single-thread, meaning the Core 5 221E's advantage is not universal even within single-thread tests.

The i9-14900 also carries a higher launch MSRP of $549 versus $232 for the Core 5 221E, a difference that reflects its larger core count and cache. For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, the i9-14900 is the clear choice based on recorded performance. For users whose workloads align specifically with Cinebench R23 single-core performance, the Core 5 221E offers a measurable edge, though its overall benchmark record trails significantly.