Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core i5-14401E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core 5 221TE and the Intel Core i5-14401E is decisively one-sided. Across all six recorded Cinebench tests, the Intel Core i5-14401E wins every single matchup. The margin is consistent, hovering near 38% in each test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-14401E scores 18,161 against the 221TE's 11,305, a delta of -37.8%. That same pattern repeats in R20 multi-core (7,627 vs. 4,748) and R15 multi-core (1,830 vs. 1,139). The 221TE trails by roughly 37.7% to 38% in every multi-core test, suggesting the performance gap is structural, not workload-specific.

Single-core results tell the same story. The i5-14401E reaches 2,564 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the 221TE manages 1,596, a 37.8% deficit. In R20 single-core, the scores are 1,076 and 670, respectively. R15 single-core shows 258 versus 160. The consistency of the delta across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads is notable. It indicates the i5-14401E holds a fundamental clock-for-clock advantage, rather than merely scaling better with additional cores.

The average benchmark score in the database places the 221TE at 17,860, which sits in the 71st percentile of all CPUs. The i5-14401E has an average score of 5,253, placing it in the 60th percentile. These averages are not directly comparable because they aggregate different test suites, but the percentile ranking shows the 221TE holds a higher overall standing in the database. However, the head-to-head Cinebench data demonstrates that in these shared workloads, the i5-14401E is consistently faster.

The nearest rival analysis puts the 221TE's average score within 0.2% of the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and the Intel Core 5 120U, and 0.5% above the Intel Core 7 350. The i5-14401E's average score sits within 0.8% of the Intel Core i5-13400T and 0.2% of the Intel Core i9-10850K. These reference points confirm that the 221TE competes with a different performance class than the i5-14401E, despite both being current Intel desktop parts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share several fundamental traits but diverge in core configuration and cache hierarchy. Both use a 10 nm process node from Intel, both have a die size of 215 mm², and both use the Intel Socket 1700. They also share the same integrated graphics, the UHD Graphics 730, and both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel access.

The core counts differ significantly. The 221TE packs 10 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the i5-14401E delivers higher benchmark scores in every Cinebench test. This points to a substantial per-core performance advantage for the Raptor Lake design.

The 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 5 generation. The i5-14401E uses Raptor Lake-R, part of the Core 14th Gen series with Raptor Lake architecture. The 221TE carries 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-14401E has 20 MB. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core.

Clock speeds favor the i5-14401E in base frequency but the 221TE in boost. The i5-14401E has a 2.50 GHz base clock and a 4.70 GHz boost clock. The 221TE has a 1.80 GHz base clock and a 5.00 GHz boost clock. The higher boost ceiling on the 221TE does not translate into benchmark wins, which suggests the i5-14401E sustains higher clocks under load or extracts more instructions per cycle.

Power characteristics differ as well. The 221TE has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i5-14401E is rated at 65 watts. The lower TDP of the 221TE likely explains its lower sustained performance, as the higher-power i5-14401E can maintain more aggressive clock behavior. Memory bandwidth is listed for the 221TE at 76.8 GB/s, while the i5-14401E has no recorded memory bandwidth figure in the database.

Both processors support ECC memory and offer PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The release dates show the 221TE launched on January 12, 2025, while the i5-14401E appeared on June 30, 2024. The 221TE carries a launch MSRP of $232, while the i5-14401E has no recorded launch MSRP. Both are listed as Active production status and target the desktop market.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core i5-14401E wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests by margins between 37.7% and 38%. The 221TE, despite its extra cores, higher boost clock, and larger L3 cache, cannot overcome the per-core efficiency of the Raptor Lake design. The i5-14401E delivers 18,161 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 11,305 for the 221TE, a difference that would be visible in rendering, compilation, and other heavily threaded workloads.

The 221TE does hold advantages in the broader database context. Its 71st percentile ranking versus the i5-14401E's 60th percentile reflects a higher average score across a wider test suite. The PassMark results for the 221TE show strong integer math (42,303), floating point math (31,661), and multithread (13,301) scores. These are not available for the i5-14401E in the recorded data, so a direct comparison in those workloads is not possible.

The power envelope favors the 221TE at 45 watts versus 65 watts for the i5-14401E. For constrained thermal environments, the 221TE offers more compute per watt in theory, though the benchmark data does not include efficiency metrics. The i5-14401E's higher TDP correlates with its performance advantage, which aligns with the expectation that more power enables higher sustained clocks.

The socket compatibility is identical, so platform-level considerations do not differentiate the two. Both use Intel Socket 1700, both support DDR4 and DDR5, both have ECC support, and both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics are the same UHD Graphics 730. The choice between them, from the recorded data, rests on whether raw performance or lower power consumption takes priority.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count, thread count, base clock, boost clock, TDP, codename, generation, L3 cache, memory bandwidth, release date, launch MSRP, and part number.

The 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads. The 221TE has a 1.80 GHz base clock and a 5.00 GHz boost clock. The i5-14401E has a 2.50 GHz base clock and a 4.70 GHz boost clock. The 221TE is rated at 45 watts TDP, the i5-14401E at 65 watts.

The 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation. The i5-14401E uses Raptor Lake-R and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series. The 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-14401E has 20 MB. The 221TE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the i5-14401E has none listed.

The 221TE launched on January 12, 2025, with a launch MSRP of $232. The i5-14401E launched on June 30, 2024, with no recorded launch MSRP. The part numbers are SRVQS for the 221TE and Q49JSRNJS for the i5-14401E.

Identical specifications include manufacturer (Intel), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), die size (215 mm²), L1 cache (80 KB per core), L2 cache (1.25 MB per core), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC support (true), PCIe (Gen 5, 16 lanes CPU only), integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), market segment (Desktop), production status (Active), socket (Intel Socket 1700), and multiplier lock (false).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E wins with a score of 18,161, compared to 11,305 for the Intel Core 5 221TE, a delta of -37.8%.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 5 221TE and the Intel Core i5-14401E have ECC memory support enabled.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has a TDP of 65 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has a 5.00 GHz boost clock, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has a 4.70 GHz boost clock.

Q: Do the two processors use the same socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1700.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14401E wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core, it leads by approximately 38%. The largest absolute gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 18,161 versus 11,305. For workloads that rely on Cinebench-style rendering performance, the i5-14401E is the stronger choice.

The Intel Core 5 221TE wins in the broader database context. Its average benchmark score of 17,860 places it in the 71st percentile of all CPUs, compared to the i5-14401E's 60th percentile. The 221TE also has a lower TDP at 45 watts versus 65 watts, making it the more power-efficient option on paper. Its 24 MB of L3 cache exceeds the i5-14401E's 20 MB, and its 5.00 GHz boost clock is higher than the 4.70 GHz of the i5-14401E.

The 221TE's PassMark results, which are not recorded for the i5-14401E, show strong performance in integer math (42,303), floating point math (31,661), and multithread (13,301). Data compression reaches 156,682, random string sorting hits 16,929, and extended instructions score 9,655. These numbers cannot be compared directly to the i5-14401E, but they establish the 221TE as a capable desktop processor in its own right.

The i5-14401E's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-10850K and the Intel Core i5-13400T, with average scores within 0.8%. The 221TE's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and the Intel Core 5 120U, with average scores within 0.2%. These reference points place the two processors in different performance tiers, even though both are current Intel desktop parts on the same socket.

For users prioritizing raw Cinebench performance, the i5-14401E is the clear winner. For users prioritizing lower power consumption, a higher percentile ranking, and a larger L3 cache, the 221TE offers distinct advantages. The data does not show a scenario where the 221TE outperforms the i5-14401E in a shared benchmark, so the decision rests on which metrics matter more.