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

The Intel Core i9-14900 is the decisive winner in every recorded benchmark, delivering a multi-generational leap in performance across both single-threaded and heavily threaded workloads. The Intel Core 5 221TE, despite its newer Bartlett Lake branding, is positioned as a lower-power, lower-output desktop processor that cannot match the raw throughput of the Core i9-14900. The data shows a 17-0 sweep in the head-to-head comparison, with the Core i9-14900 winning every single test by a margin ranging from 27.8% to 76.2%. There is no workload category where the Core 5 221TE records a victory, making the performance hierarchy unambiguous.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results indicate that the Intel Core i9-14900 is the superior choice for any performance-sensitive application. Its wins are comprehensive, covering rendering, encryption, math processing, and general multitasking. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core i9-14900 scores 31070 against the Core 5 221TE's 11305, a 63.6% advantage. This margin is typical of the multicore tests, where the Core i9-14900 consistently delivers between 60% and 76% more performance. The PassMark integer math test shows a 75.8% lead, and the data compression test shows a 71.5% lead, confirming that the Core i9-14900 is far better suited for tasks that scale with core count and cache capacity.

The Intel Core 5 221TE has no benchmark wins to claim. Its performance profile is characterized by significantly lower scores across the board, but its closest rival data places it in a different performance class. The Core 5 221TE's average benchmark score is 17860, which places it at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17891, delta of -0.2%) and the Intel Core 5 120U (17898, delta of -0.2%). This indicates that the Core 5 221TE is competitive with older mid-range desktop parts, not with flagship 14th Gen processors. For users prioritizing low power consumption, the Core 5 221TE has a 45 W TDP compared to the Core i9-14900's 65 W TDP, but the performance data does not support any scenario where the Core 5 221TE wins on throughput.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same fundamental Intel architecture lineage but diverge significantly in configuration. Both use the Intel Socket 1700, a 10 nm process node, and the Intel foundry. The Core 5 221TE is based on the Bartlett Lake codename, while the Core i9-14900 uses the Raptor Lake-R codename with a Raptor Lake architecture. The Core i9-14900 is part of the Core 14th Gen series, whereas the Core 5 221TE is listed as a Core 5 generation part. The die size differs, with the Core 5 221TE at 215 mm² and the Core i9-14900 at 257 mm².

The core configuration is the primary differentiator. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads. This difference in thread count explains the massive multicore performance gap. The cache hierarchy also favors the Core i9-14900. Both processors have an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, but the L2 cache differs: the Core 5 221TE has 1.25 MB per core, while the Core i9-14900 has 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is 24 MB shared on the Core 5 221TE versus 36 MB shared on the Core i9-14900. The larger L2 and L3 caches on the Core i9-14900 contribute to its superior performance in data-heavy workloads like data compression and integer math.

Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel memory bus. The Core 5 221TE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Core i9-14900's memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. ECC memory support is present on both. PCIe connectivity is identical: Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ, with the Core 5 221TE using UHD Graphics 730 and the Core i9-14900 using UHD Graphics 770. The Core i9-14900 has a higher base clock of 2.00 GHz versus 1.80 GHz and a higher boost clock of 5.80 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. The Core i9-14900 also has a larger die size, which accommodates the additional cores and cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest performance gap in the recorded data appears in the Cinebench R15 multicore test. The Core i9-14900 scores 4793, while the Core 5 221TE scores 1139, a delta of -76.2%. This is the most lopsided result in the comparison. The Cinebench R20 multicore test shows a similar pattern, with the Core i9-14900 at 15910 and the Core 5 221TE at 4748, a delta of -70.2%. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the smallest relative gap: the Core i9-14900 scores 2212 versus 1596, a delta of -27.8%. This indicates that even in single-threaded performance, where clock speed and architecture efficiency matter most, the Core i9-14900's 5.80 GHz boost clock delivers a substantial lead over the Core 5 221TE's 5.00 GHz boost clock.

The PassMark suite reinforces the multicore dominance. The floating point math test shows the Core i9-14900 at 120262 versus 31661, a delta of -73.7%. The integer math test shows 175010 versus 42303, a delta of -75.8%. Data encryption shows 33540 versus 8963, a delta of -73.3%. Data compression shows 550271 versus 156682, a delta of -71.5%. The physics test shows a smaller gap: 2486 versus 977, a delta of -60.7%. The single-thread PassMark test shows 4323 versus 1734, a delta of -59.9%. Across all 17 head-to-head tests, the Core i9-14900 wins by at least 27.8% and by as much as 76.2%. The average benchmark score for the Core i9-14900 is 58115, placing it at the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 221TE's average score is 17860, placing it at the 71st percentile.

The closest rival data for the Core 5 221TE shows that it is not close to the Core i9-14900's performance class. The Core 5 221TE's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (delta of -0.2%) and the Intel Core 5 120U (delta of -0.2%), both of which have average scores around 17891 and 17898. The Core i9-14900's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M (delta of -0.4%) and the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D (delta of -0.5%), with average scores around 58323 and 58386. This places the Core i9-14900 in a performance tier that is over three times higher than the Core 5 221TE's tier based on average scores.

The Verdict

The recorded data is conclusive. The Intel Core i9-14900 is the superior processor for all workloads measured. It wins every benchmark by a significant margin, and its 92nd percentile ranking versus the Core 5 221TE's 71st percentile ranking confirms a wide performance gulf. The Core i9-14900 delivers 31070 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 2.7 times the Core 5 221TE's 11305. In single-threaded Cinebench R23, it scores 2212 versus 1596, a 27.8% lead. For users who need maximum rendering performance, heavy multitasking, or fast data processing, the Core i9-14900 is the only choice from these two options.

The Intel Core 5 221TE is a lower-power desktop part with a 45 W TDP, but its performance data shows it is more comparable to older mid-range CPUs like the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT. Its 10 cores and 16 threads are insufficient to challenge the 24 cores and 32 threads of the Core i9-14900. The Core 5 221TE may be suitable for basic desktop tasks, but the benchmark results show no scenario where it outperforms the Core i9-14900. The Core i9-14900's higher boost clock, larger cache, and double the cores make it the dominant processor in this comparison.

The launch MSRP for the Core i9-14900 is $549, while the Core 5 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232. The performance difference is proportional to the price difference, but the data does not support any value analysis beyond the raw benchmark scores. The Core i9-14900 is the faster processor, and the Core 5 221TE is the slower one. The verdict is straightforward: the Core i9-14900 wins on every measurable performance metric.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance difference between the two processors?

A: The largest difference is in the Cinebench R15 multicore test, where the Core i9-14900 scores 4793 versus the Core 5 221TE's 1139, a delta of -76.2%.

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

A: No. The Core i9-14900 wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark tests recorded in the database.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds for each processor?

A: The Core i9-14900 has a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, while the Core 5 221TE has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: How do the L3 caches compare?

A: The Core i9-14900 has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the percentile ranking for each processor?

A: The Core i9-14900 is at the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, and the Core 5 221TE is at the 71st percentile.

Specification Differences

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

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

| Cores | 10 | 24 |

| Threads | 16 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 1.80 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.80 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-R |

| Architecture | (not recorded) | Raptor Lake |

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

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | (not recorded) |

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

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

| Launch MSRP | $232 | $549 |

| Part Number | SRVQS | SRN3V |