Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core i3-14100 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The comparison between the Intel Core 5 221TE and the Intel Core i3-14100 is a study in contrasting design priorities. The Core 5 221TE brings a 10-core, 16-thread configuration with a 24 MB shared L3 cache, while the i3-14100 counters with a 4-core, 8-thread setup and a 12 MB shared L3 cache. Benchmark results show a decisive overall win for the i3-14100, which claims 14 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Core 5 221TE secures only 3 wins.

The single-threaded performance gap is the most dramatic separation between these two parts. In PassMark's single_thread test, the i3-14100 scores 3759 against the Core 5 221TE's 1734, a delta of -53.9% from the Core 5's perspective. That is the largest margin in the entire comparison set. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i3-14100 posts 1809 versus 1596 for the Core 5 221TE, an 11.8% deficit. The i3-14100's higher base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost clock of 4.70 GHz, compared to the Core 5's 1.80 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost, explain much of this single-thread advantage.

Multi-threaded workloads tell a more nuanced story, though the i3-14100 still wins every multi-core benchmark. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i3-14100 scores 12820 while the Core 5 221TE scores 11305, a gap of 11.8%. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (5384 versus 4748, 11.8% difference) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (1292 versus 1139, 11.8% difference). PassMark's multithread test shows the i3-14100 ahead by 11.9%, scoring 15095 against 13301. These consistent margins suggest the i3-14100's higher per-core efficiency, driven by its 3.50 GHz base clock, more than compensates for the Core 5 221TE's additional cores and threads.

The Core 5 221TE does manage to carve out wins in three specific workloads. Its most notable victory comes in PassMark's find_prime_numbers test, where it scores 59 against the i3-14100's 55, a 7.3% advantage. This result indicates that the Core 5's larger core count and cache hierarchy provide tangible benefits in certain integer-heavy algorithms. The Core 5 also edges ahead in passmark_physics with 977 versus 958, a 2% margin, and in passmark_data_encryption with 8963 versus 8838, a 1.4% lead.

Outside those three tests, the i3-14100's dominance is consistent across a range of workloads. In passmark_extended_instructions, the i3-14100 scores 11865 against 9655, a commanding 18.6% advantage. PassMark floating_point_math shows the i3-14100 ahead by 10.2% (35266 versus 31661), while integer_math favors the i3-14100 by 6.7% (45329 versus 42303). Even in data_compression, where the Core 5's extra threads might be expected to help, the i3-14100 leads by 10% (174115 versus 156682). Random_string_sorting favors the i3-14100 by a narrower 2.7% margin (17397 versus 16929).

Looking at the aggregate benchmark data, the i3-14100 holds an average benchmark score of 18318, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. The Core 5 221TE averages 17860, sitting in the 71st percentile. The nearest rivals for each chip reinforce their positioning: the Core 5 221TE trails the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT by 0.2% (17891 average score) and the Intel Core 5 120U by 0.2% (17898), while leading the Intel Core 7 350 by 0.5% (17779) and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 by 0.7% (17994). The i3-14100, by contrast, essentially matches the Intel Core 3 305 (18302, 0.1% ahead) and trails the Intel Core 5 330 by 0.1% (18345), the Intel Core 7 360 by 0.3% (18374), and the Intel Core i3-13100 by 0.3% (18380).

The Verdict

The data supports a clear recommendation for the Intel Core i3-14100 in most scenarios. Its single-thread performance is substantially higher, evidenced by the 53.9% lead in PassMark single_thread testing and consistent 11.7% to 12.1% advantages across all Cinebench single-core tests. For workloads that depend on high clock speeds, few cores, and deep instruction pipelines, the i3-14100 is the stronger choice. Its 4.70 GHz boost clock and 3.50 GHz base clock provide the raw speed that the Core 5 221TE, with its 1.80 GHz base clock, cannot match despite its 5.00 GHz boost ceiling.

The i3-14100 also wins every multi-threaded benchmark despite having 6 fewer cores and 8 fewer threads. This outcome indicates that the i3-14100's per-core throughput, combined with its higher base frequency, delivers better aggregate performance than the Core 5 221TE's larger core count. The 11.8% margins in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests are consistent, not outliers, and the 11.9% lead in PassMark multithread confirms the pattern.

The Intel Core 5 221TE, however, is not without merit. Its 10 cores and 16 threads, paired with a 24 MB shared L3 cache, produce wins in prime number finding, physics simulation, and data encryption. The 7.3% advantage in find_prime_numbers and the 2% lead in physics suggest that certain computational patterns benefit from the larger cache and higher core count. The data encryption win, at 1.4%, is narrow but real. Users running workloads that stress these specific patterns may find the Core 5 221TE competitive.

The TDP difference is notable: the Core 5 221TE is rated at 45 watts while the i3-14100 is rated at 60 watts. This makes the Core 5 221TE a more power-conscious option for constrained environments, though the i3-14100's higher power envelope correlates with its superior benchmark scores. Both processors use the Intel Socket 1700, support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and feature UHD Graphics 730 integrated graphics. Both also support ECC memory and PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

For most users, the i3-14100's consistent wins across the benchmark suite make it the default pick. The 53.9% single-thread advantage alone is decisive for general desktop responsiveness, application launches, and lightly threaded software. The i3-14100 also carries a launch MSRP of $134, while the Core 5 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100 averages 18318 across all benchmark tests, while the Intel Core 5 221TE averages 17860. The i3-14100 ranks in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, and the Core 5 221TE ranks in the 71st percentile.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: In PassMark's single_thread test, the i3-14100 scores 3759 versus 1734 for the Core 5 221TE, a 53.9% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a narrower gap: 1809 for the i3-14100 versus 1596 for the Core 5, an 11.8% difference.

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

A: Yes, the Core 5 221TE wins 3 of 17 head-to-head tests. It leads in PassMark find_prime_numbers (59 versus 55, a 7.3% advantage), PassMark physics (977 versus 958, a 2% advantage), and PassMark data_encryption (8963 versus 8838, a 1.4% advantage).

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite this disadvantage, the i3-14100 wins every multi-threaded benchmark in the comparison.

Q: What are the cache differences between the two?

A: Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-14100 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory and expansion features?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, both support ECC memory, and both feature PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Both also use Intel Socket 1700 and include UHD Graphics 730 integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Core 5 221TE has a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The i3-14100 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Thermal design power differs as well: the Core 5 221TE is rated at 45 watts, while the i3-14100 is rated at 60 watts. The L3 cache also diverges, with the Core 5 221TE offering 24 MB shared versus the i3-14100's 12 MB shared. Memory bandwidth figures are listed for the Core 5 221TE at 76.8 GB/s, while the i3-14100 does not have a recorded memory bandwidth value.

The processors belong to different generations and carry different codenames. The Core 5 221TE is from the Bartlett Lake generation with the codename Bartlett Lake, while the i3-14100 is from the Core 14th Gen series with the codename Raptor Lake-R and the architecture designation Raptor Lake. The die size also differs: the Core 5 221TE measures 215 mm², and the i3-14100 measures 163 mm². Both use a 10 nm process node from Intel, and both are produced by Intel as their foundry. The part numbers differ as well: SRVQS for the Core 5 221TE and SRMX1 for the i3-14100.

Release dates place the Core 5 221TE at January 12, 2025, and the i3-14100 at January 7, 2024. Both processors have a production status of Active, both are locked (multiplierUnlocked is false), and both target the desktop market segment.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divergence between these two parts is substantial. The Core 5 221TE, based on the Bartlett Lake codename, uses a 10-core, 16-thread design. The i3-14100, built on the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, uses a 4-core, 8-thread configuration. This core count difference is the most conspicuous architectural distinction.

The cache hierarchy reveals further differences. Both processors use 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache doubles from 12 MB on the i3-14100 to 24 MB on the Core 5 221TE. This larger L3 cache on the Core 5 221TE likely contributes to its wins in prime number finding and physics workloads, which benefit from larger working sets held closer to the cores.

The clock architecture favors the i3-14100 for base frequency, with a 3.50 GHz base clock versus the Core 5 221TE's 1.80 GHz. The boost clocks are closer, with the Core 5 221TE reaching 5.00 GHz and the i3-14100 reaching 4.70 GHz. The large base clock gap means the i3-14100 sustains higher performance under continuous load, which explains its consistent multi-core wins despite fewer cores.

The process node is identical at 10 nm, with Intel as the foundry for both. Die size differs, with the Core 5 221TE at 215 mm² and the i3-14100 at 163 mm², reflecting the additional cores and larger L3 cache on the Core 5. Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and both include UHD Graphics 730 integrated graphics. ECC memory support is present on both parts.

The memory bandwidth for the Core 5 221TE is listed at 76.8 GB/s, while the i3-14100 has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. Both processors use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, and both are unlocked for multiplier adjustments. The generation labels differ: the Core 5 221TE belongs to the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation, while the i3-14100 belongs to the Core i3 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation.