Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core i5-14500HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows an unambiguous sweep: the Intel Core i5-14500HX wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests against the Intel Core 5 221TE. The margins are substantial and consistent across every workload category, from single-threaded tasks to heavy multi-threaded rendering.

In Cinebench R23, the i5-14500HX scores 24234 in the multicore test, which is 53.4% higher than the 221TE's 11305. The single-core result shows a similar gap, with the i5-14500HX scoring 3421 versus 1596, a delta of 53.3%. Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern: the i5-14500HX posts 10178 multicore and 1436 single-core, against 4748 and 670 for the 221TE, representing 53.4% and 53.3% deficits respectively. The R15 results are consistent, with the i5-14500HX at 2442 multicore and 344 single-core, while the 221TE manages only 1139 and 160, deltas of 53.4% and 53.5%.

The PassMark suite reinforces the trend. The largest delta appears in integer math, where the i5-14500HX scores 95584 versus 42303, a 55.7% advantage. Floating-point math shows a 54.4% gap, with scores of 69442 and 31661. Data compression favors the i5-14500HX at 333851 against 156682, a 53.1% lead. Data encryption shows a 54% difference, 19502 versus 8963. Extended instructions scores are 20019 and 9655, a 51.8% gap.

Prime number finding, a workload sensitive to raw integer throughput and cache behavior, shows the i5-14500HX scoring 130 against 59, a 54.6% advantage. Random string sorting delivers 36219 for the i5-14500HX versus 16929 for the 221TE, a 53.3% delta. The multithread PassMark score is 28508 versus 13301, another 53.3% gap. Physics simulation scores 1911 versus 977, the smallest relative difference at 48.9%, though still a decisive win for the i5-14500HX.

Single-thread performance in PassMark shows the i5-14500HX at 3629 against 1734, a 52.2% advantage. The Geekbench results, which are recorded only for the i5-14500HX, show 10171 multicore and 2129 single-core; no comparable scores exist in the data for the 221TE, so no direct comparison can be drawn from those tests.

The average benchmark score tells the same story. The i5-14500HX averages 35094 across all recorded tests, while the 221TE averages 17860. The i5-14500HX sits in the 84th percentile of all CPUs in the database, whereas the 221TE is in the 71st percentile. The nearest rivals in the database place both chips in similar company: the 221TE's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with an average score of 17891, a 0.2% difference, while the i5-14500HX sits near the Intel Core i9-12900HX at 35003, a 0.3% difference.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14500HX has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: Both processors have 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The L2 cache differs: the i5-14500HX has 2 MB per core, while the 221TE has 1.25 MB per core. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core.

Q: What is the base clock speed difference?

A: The i5-14500HX has a base clock of 2.60 GHz, while the 221TE has a base clock of 1.80 GHz. The boost clock is closer: 4.90 GHz for the i5-14500HX versus 5.00 GHz for the 221TE.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 5 221TE and the Intel Core i5-14500HX support ECC memory. Both also support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i5-14500HX has a 55 W TDP, while the 221TE has a 45 W TDP. The i5-14500HX is a mobile processor, and the 221TE is a desktop processor.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking in the database?

A: The i5-14500HX ranks in the 84th percentile of all CPUs, while the 221TE ranks in the 71st percentile. The i5-14500HX's average benchmark score of 35094 is roughly double the 221TE's 17860.

The Verdict

The data leaves little room for interpretation. The Intel Core i5-14500HX is the superior processor in every recorded benchmark, with advantages ranging from 48.9% to 55.7% depending on the workload. It offers 4 additional cores, 4 additional threads, a higher base clock, and double the L2 cache per core. Its average benchmark score is nearly double that of the 221TE, and its percentile ranking is 13 points higher.

The 221TE does have some advantages in the specification sheet. It has a higher boost clock (5.00 GHz versus 4.90 GHz) and a lower TDP (45 W versus 55 W). It also has a smaller die size (215 mm² versus 257 mm²) and a lower launch MSRP of $232, though the i5-14500HX has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. The 221TE uses the Intel Socket 1700, which is a desktop platform, while the i5-14500HX uses Intel BGA 1964, which is a mobile platform.

For any workload that benefits from multi-threading, the i5-14500HX is the clear choice. The benchmark results show a consistent 53% to 55% advantage across Cinebench and PassMark multithreaded tests. For single-threaded tasks, the i5-14500HX also leads by roughly 52% to 53%. The only area where the 221TE could be preferable is in a desktop build with a strict power envelope, given its 45 W TDP and socket compatibility with standard desktop motherboards. However, the performance gap is so large that the i5-14500HX is the better pick for virtually all compute-intensive scenarios.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i5-14500HX has 14 cores and 20 threads, compared to 10 cores and 16 threads for the 221TE. The base clock is 2.60 GHz for the i5-14500HX versus 1.80 GHz for the 221TE. The boost clock is 4.90 GHz for the i5-14500HX and 5.00 GHz for the 221TE. The TDP is 55 W for the i5-14500HX and 45 W for the 221TE.

The socket types differ completely: the i5-14500HX uses Intel BGA 1964, a mobile socket, while the 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. The market segments reflect this: the i5-14500HX is classified as Mobile, and the 221TE as Desktop. The die size is 257 mm² for the i5-14500HX and 215 mm² for the 221TE.

The L2 cache differs, with the i5-14500HX offering 2 MB per core and the 221TE offering 1.25 MB per core. The integrated graphics differ as well: the i5-14500HX uses UHD Graphics 770, while the 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730. The multiplier is unlocked on the i5-14500HX but locked on the 221TE. The release dates are also different: the i5-14500HX was released on 2024-01-07, and the 221TE on 2025-01-12. The i5-14500HX has no recorded launch MSRP, while the 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232. The memory bandwidth is recorded as 76.8 GB/s for the 221TE, with no recorded value for the i5-14500HX.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is clear from the data. The Core 5 221TE is built on Bartlett Lake, a 10 nm process from Intel, and belongs to the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation. The Core i5-14500HX is built on Raptor Lake, also a 10 nm process, and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, specifically the Raptor Lake-HX refresh. Both use Intel as the foundry.

The cache hierarchy differs in the L2 tier. The 221TE provides 1.25 MB of L2 per core, while the i5-14500HX provides 2 MB per core. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The 221TE's die size is 215 mm², and the i5-14500HX's is 257 mm².

Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics differ, with the i5-14500HX using UHD Graphics 770 and the 221TE using UHD Graphics 730. The i5-14500HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the 221TE does not.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14500HX wins every single benchmark category recorded. The margins are largest in integer math, where it leads by 55.7%, and smallest in physics simulation, where it leads by 48.9%. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the i5-14500HX maintains a consistent advantage of roughly 53% in both single-core and multicore tests. PassMark single-thread performance shows a 52.2% lead, and multithread performance shows a 53.3% lead.

The 221TE's advantages are not in benchmark scores but in platform characteristics. It is a desktop processor with a lower TDP of 45 W, a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz, and a smaller die size of 215 mm². It supports the Intel Socket 1700, which is a standard desktop platform, and it has a recorded launch MSRP of $232. For a builder targeting a desktop system with a modest power budget, the 221TE offers a viable foundation, but the performance data indicates it will trail the i5-14500HX by more than half in most compute tasks.

For mobile users, the i5-14500HX is the only option of the two, given its BGA 1964 socket and Mobile market segment. For desktop users who prioritize raw performance, the i5-14500HX would require a different platform, but the benchmark results show it delivers roughly double the average score of the 221TE. The 221TE's higher boost clock does not translate into a single-thread win; the i5-14500HX still leads by 53.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core and 52.2% in PassMark single-thread. The data consistently points to the i5-14500HX as the stronger processor across all measured workloads.