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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive sweep for the Intel Core i9-14900HX. Across all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the i9-14900HX wins, with the Core 5 221TE failing to take a single test. The margins are substantial in every category, though the size of the gap varies considerably between single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

The widest gaps appear in multi-core rendering and throughput tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-14900HX scores 4574 against the 221TE's 1139, a 75.1% advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 69.6% lead for the i9 (15616 vs 4748), and Cinebench R23 multi-core has the i9 ahead by 62.4% (30055 vs 11305). PassMark integer math shows a 73.1% gap (157375 vs 42303), while floating point math shows 71.8% (112273 vs 31661). Data compression is 71% faster on the i9 (539965 vs 156682), and data encryption shows a 72.5% lead (32619 vs 8963).

The single-core results are closer, but still clearly favor the i9. Cinebench R23 single-core has the i9 at 2181.5 versus the 221TE's 1596, a 26.8% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 48.5% gap (310.5 vs 160). PassMark single-thread scores are 4175 for the i9 against 1734 for the 221TE, a 58.5% difference. The smallest recorded gap is in Cinebench R23 single-core at 26.8%, which still represents a meaningful performance tier difference.

The other tests follow the same pattern. PassMark extended instructions show a 69.1% lead (31247 vs 9655), find prime numbers has the i9 ahead by 69.4% (193 vs 59), physics is 63% faster (2638 vs 977), random string sorting is 72.2% ahead (60861 vs 16929), and PassMark multithread shows a 69.6% gap (43778 vs 13301). The data records the same PassMark single-thread score twice, 1734 for the 221TE and 4175 for the i9, with identical deltas.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the gap. The i9-14900HX posts an average of 56004, while the 221TE averages 17860. The i9 sits at the 91st percentile among all CPUs in the database, compared to the 71st percentile for the 221TE. The nearest rivals for each chip also illustrate the positioning: the 221TE trades within 0.7% of the AMD Ryzen 5 1600, while the i9 sits within 1% of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for workloads that demand throughput. The i9-14900HX delivers between roughly 27% and 75% higher performance across all recorded benchmarks, with the largest gains in multi-threaded rendering, encryption, compression, and math-heavy tasks. The Core 5 221TE does not win a single test in the head-to-head comparison.

Who should pick the i9-14900HX: builders and users whose tasks scale with cores and threads. The 24-core, 32-thread configuration, combined with a 5.80 GHz boost clock, shows dominant results in Cinebench multi-core and PassMark integer math. The 91st percentile ranking places it among the top processors in the database. The i9 also leads in single-threaded tests, so it is not a compromise choice for lightly threaded applications either.

Who should pick the Core 5 221TE: systems where the 45W TDP, desktop socket, and lower platform requirements matter more than raw performance. The 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the i9 uses Intel BGA 1964, which restricts it to mobile boards. The 221TE supports ECC memory and carries a launch MSRP of $232. Its 71st percentile ranking places it near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 5 120U, which are mid-range desktop parts. For a desktop build with modest compute demands and ECC requirements, the 221TE has a role, but the data shows it is not competitive with the i9 in any measured workload.

The i9-14900HX is the performance choice without qualification. The 221TE is a lower-power desktop option, but benchmark results indicate it cannot match the i9 in any category.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX averages 56004, while the Intel Core 5 221TE averages 17860. The i9 ranks at the 91st percentile of all CPUs, versus the 71st percentile for the 221TE.

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

A: The largest recorded delta is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i9-14900HX leads by 75.1% (4574 vs 1139). The smallest gap is in Cinebench R23 single-core, at 26.8% (2181.5 vs 1596).

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

A: No. Across all 17 head-to-head tests in the database, the i9-14900HX wins every one. The 221TE records zero wins.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

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

Q: What are the boost clock rates?

A: The i9-14900HX boosts to 5.80 GHz, while the Core 5 221TE boosts to 5.00 GHz. Base clocks are 2.20 GHz and 1.80 GHz respectively.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes. Both the Core 5 221TE and the i9-14900HX support ECC memory. Both also support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks are 1.80 GHz for the 221TE and 2.20 GHz for the i9. Boost clocks are 5.00 GHz and 5.80 GHz respectively. TDP also differs: 45W for the 221TE, 55W for the i9.

The socket is a major differentiator. The 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop platform, while the i9 uses Intel BGA 1964, a mobile platform. The market segment reflects this: the 221TE is listed as Desktop, the i9 as Mobile. The multiplier is locked on the 221TE and unlocked on the i9.

Cache configuration differs in L2 and L3. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core, but L2 is 1.25 MB per core on the 221TE versus 2 MB per core on the i9. Shared L3 is 24 MB on the 221TE and 36 MB on the i9. Die size is 215 mm² for the 221TE and 257 mm² for the i9.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 221TE carries UHD Graphics 730, while the i9 has UHD Graphics 770. Memory bandwidth is listed only for the 221TE at 76.8 GB/s; the i9 has no recorded figure. The release dates are also different, with the 221TE released in January 2025 and the i9 in January 2024. The 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232; the i9 has no recorded MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, while the i9-14900HX uses Raptor Lake-HX. The generation fields list the 221TE as Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) and the i9 as Core i9 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh). Both are built on a 10 nm process node by Intel, but the architecture names differ.

Core counts drive the performance gap. The i9's 24-core, 32-thread configuration with 36 MB of shared L3 provides substantially more compute resources than the 221TE's 10 cores, 16 threads, and 24 MB of L3. The per-core L2 difference, 2 MB versus 1.25 MB, also favors the i9. Both chips use the same PCIe configuration: Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The 221TE is a desktop part with a socketed design, while the i9 is a mobile part soldered to a BGA package.

The i9 is unlocked, allowing multiplier adjustments on supported platforms. The 221TE is locked. Both support ECC memory and dual-channel DDR4/DDR5. The integrated GPU differs, with the i9 using the higher-tier UHD Graphics 770 versus the 221TE's UHD Graphics 730.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-14900HX wins in every measured workload. Multi-threaded rendering is its strongest area, with Cinebench R15 multi-core showing a 75.1% lead and Cinebench R23 multi-core showing 62.4%. Integer-heavy tasks also favor the i9 strongly, with PassMark integer math ahead by 73.1%. Data compression, encryption, and extended instruction workloads all show the i9 leading by roughly 69% to 73%.

The 221TE has no benchmark wins, but its profile suggests a different use case. The 45W TDP, desktop socket, and ECC support point toward low-power or reliability-focused desktop builds. Its single-core scores, while still behind the i9 by 26.8% to 58.5%, are less disadvantaged than its multi-core results. For workloads that do not scale beyond a few threads, the gap narrows, but the data still favors the i9.

The i9's 91st percentile ranking and average score of 56004 place it in a performance class well above the 221TE's 71st percentile and 17860 average. For users prioritizing compute throughput, the i9 is the only choice from this data. The 221TE remains a viable desktop option for ECC-capable systems with modest performance needs, but the recorded benchmarks show it cannot match the i9 in any category.