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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a dominant overall performance advantage for the Intel Core i9-14900T, which wins 14 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Core 5 221E claims only 3 wins, but those wins are concentrated in specific workloads where its higher base clock and architectural choices pay off.

The most lopsided margins favor the i9-14900T in memory-intensive and encryption workloads. In PassMark data compression, the i9-14900T scores 436066 against 324285 for the Core 5 221E, a 25.6% deficit for the latter. Data encryption shows an even wider gap: the i9-14900T records 27062 versus 19205, a 29% difference. Random string sorting follows the same pattern, with the i9-14900T at 49484 and the Core 5 221E at 37686, a 23.8% shortfall.

Cinebench results are remarkably consistent. Across R15, R20, and R23, the multicore and singlecore tests all show the i9-14900T leading by exactly 15.8% in every instance. The multicore scores are 3104 versus 2613 in R15, 12937 versus 10891 in R20, and 30803 versus 25933 in R23. Singlecore results mirror that margin: 438 versus 368 in R15, 1826 versus 1537 in R20, and 4348 versus 3661 in R23.

PassMark multithread shows a 15.8% lead for the i9-14900T as well, scoring 36239 against 30510. Extended instructions deliver a 23% advantage (23660 versus 18216). Floating point math and integer math both show a 14.7% lead for the i9-14900T, with scores of 92699 versus 79028 and 138149 versus 117813 respectively. Physics is nearly a tie: the i9-14900T edges ahead 2245 to 2230, a mere 0.7% margin.

The Core 5 221E's wins are more specialized. PassMark find prime numbers shows the Core 5 221E at 173 versus 164, a 5.5% advantage. PassMark single thread records 4147 for the Core 5 221E against 4016 for the i9-14900T, a 3.3% edge. The same single-thread result repeats under the duplicate test name. These wins indicate that in pure single-threaded integer workloads, the Core 5 221E's higher 2.70 GHz base clock and 5.20 GHz boost clock can overcome the i9-14900T's additional cores and 5.50 GHz boost ceiling.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect the hierarchy: the i9-14900T averages 51015 across all tests, while the Core 5 221E averages 40144. The percentile rankings place the i9-14900T in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, the Core 5 221E in the 87th. The nearest rival data for the Core 5 221E shows it trading blows with the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (40081, 0.2% ahead), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (40048, 0.2% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 9 270 (40246, 0.3% behind). The i9-14900T sits close to the Intel Core i7-13850HX (50761, 0.5% ahead) and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285T (51310, 0.6% behind).

Architecture Differences

Both processors use Intel's 10 nm process node and share the same 257 mm² die size. Both are built on Intel Socket 1700 and support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. Both offer Gen 5 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes and both support ECC memory.

The core configurations differ substantially. The Intel Core 5 221E provides 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core i9-14900T provides 24 cores and 32 threads. The i9-14900T belongs to the Core 14th Gen series with a Raptor Lake architecture, specifically codenamed Raptor Lake-R. The Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation. The i9-14900T's release date is 2024-01-07, while the Core 5 221E launched on 2025-01-12.

Cache allocations differ as well. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core. The shared L3 cache, however, is 24 MB on the Core 5 221E versus 36 MB on the i9-14900T. This 12 MB difference in L3 capacity helps explain the i9-14900T's superior performance in data compression and random string sorting, workloads that benefit from larger working sets residing in cache.

Integrated graphics differ between the two. The Core 5 221E carries UHD Graphics 730, while the i9-14900T carries UHD Graphics 770. The i9-14900T's graphics solution is the higher-tier variant, which typically provides more execution units for display and media workloads.

The power envelopes diverge significantly. The Core 5 221E has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i9-14900T has a TDP of 35 watts. Despite the i9-14900T having 10 more cores and 12 more threads, it draws less power according to the rated TDP. This is notable because the i9-14900T still delivers higher performance across nearly every benchmark. The base clocks reflect this trade-off: the Core 5 221E runs at 2.70 GHz base, the i9-14900T at 1.10 GHz base. The boost clocks show the opposite: the i9-14900T reaches 5.50 GHz, the Core 5 221E reaches 5.20 GHz.

Memory bandwidth is recorded for the Core 5 221E at 89.6 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure appears in the database for the i9-14900T. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning neither supports unlocked overclocking. The part numbers are SRQDVQ659 for the Core 5 221E and SRN3U for the i9-14900T.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

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

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest recorded delta is in PassMark data encryption, where the i9-14900T leads by 29%, scoring 27062 versus 19205. Data compression shows a 25.6% gap, and random string sorting shows a 23.8% gap.

Q: Does the Core 5 221E win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins 3 tests. It leads in PassMark find prime numbers by 5.5% (173 versus 164) and in PassMark single thread by 3.3% (4147 versus 4016). The latter result appears twice in the database under two test names.

Q: How does the L3 cache compare?

A: The i9-14900T has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 221E has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 80 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Core 5 221E is rated at 65 watts TDP. The i9-14900T is rated at 35 watts TDP, despite having more cores and threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i9-14900T reaches a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Core 5 221E reaches a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Core 5 221E has a higher base clock at 2.70 GHz versus 1.10 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Core 5 221E and the i9-14900T support ECC memory.

Q: When was each processor released?

A: The i9-14900T was released on 2024-01-07. The Core 5 221E was released on 2025-01-12.

Specification Differences

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

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

| Series | Not specified | Core 14th Gen |

| Architecture | Not specified (codename Bartlett Lake) | Raptor Lake |

| Cores | 14 | 24 |

| Threads | 20 | 32 |

| Base clock | 2.70 GHz | 1.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 watts | 35 watts |

| L3 cache | 24 MB shared | 36 MB shared |

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

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

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

| Part number | SRQDVQ659 | SRN3U |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | $549 |

The two processors share several specifications: both use Intel Socket 1700, a 10 nm process node, a 257 mm² die size, 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, Gen 5 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes, and locked multipliers. Both are manufactured by Intel and classified as desktop processors with active production status.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-14900T dominates the broader workload spectrum. Its 24 cores and 32 threads give it a decisive advantage in heavily threaded applications. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 30803 versus 25933, a 15.8% lead. This translates directly to video encoding, 3D rendering, and scientific computing tasks that scale across many cores. The larger 36 MB L3 cache amplifies its advantage in data compression, encryption, and sorting workloads, where the 25.6% to 29% margins are the largest in the entire comparison.

The i9-14900T also wins in single-core Cinebench tests despite its lower base clock. The 5.50 GHz boost clock and Raptor Lake architecture deliver 4348 in R23 singlecore versus 3661, again a 15.8% margin. For everyday responsiveness, office productivity, and lightly threaded applications, the i9-14900T holds the edge.

The Core 5 221E's wins are narrower and more specific. Its 5.5% advantage in find prime numbers and 3.3% advantage in PassMark single thread indicate that for certain integer-heavy, single-threaded workloads, the higher base clock of 2.70 GHz allows it to sustain performance without waiting for boost activation. This makes it a reasonable fit for applications that are latency-sensitive and run at moderate clock speeds for extended periods.

The Core 5 221E also carries a lower launch MSRP of $232 versus $549 for the i9-14900T, and its 65 watt TDP is higher than the i9-14900T's 35 watt rating. The i9-14900T's power efficiency is notable: it delivers higher performance across nearly all tests while rated for less than half the TDP of the Core 5 221E. For constrained thermal environments, the i9-14900T's 35 watt rating makes it the more practical choice.

The physics benchmark shows the closest contest, with the i9-14900T winning 2245 to 2230, a 0.7% margin. This near-tie suggests that in certain physics simulation workloads, the two processors perform almost identically despite their architectural differences.

The percentile data places the i9-14900T in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, the Core 5 221E in the 87th. The average benchmark scores, 51015 versus 40144, show a 27% overall advantage for the i9-14900T. In the nearest rival comparisons, the Core 5 221E is bracketed by AMD Ryzen parts with deltas under 0.4%, while the i9-14900T sits within 1.1% of the Intel Core i7-13850HX and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285T.

For users prioritizing maximum throughput, the i9-14900T is the clear winner in 14 of 17 tests. For those needing a specific single-threaded integer edge or a lower launch MSRP, the Core 5 221E offers those advantages, though its overall benchmark profile trails significantly. The recorded data shows no scenario where the Core 5 221E wins by more than 5.5%, while the i9-14900T wins by margins as large as 29%.