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

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i9-14900T wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core 5 221TE. The i9-14900T delivers 63.3% higher scores in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, and similar margins in single-core workloads. Its PassMark results show even larger gaps, ranging from 56.5% in physics to 69.4% in integer math.

The Core i9-14900T sits at the 90th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 51015. It competes closely with the Intel Core i7-13850HX (0.5% ahead), the Intel Core Ultra 9 285T (0.6% behind), the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT (0.6% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 (1.1% ahead). The Core 5 221TE, by contrast, ranks at the 71st percentile with an average score of 17860, placing it near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (0.2% behind), Intel Core 5 120U (0.2% behind), Intel Core 7 350 (0.5% ahead), and AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (0.7% behind).

The Core 5 221TE is the choice for systems where the 45 W TDP ceiling and the $232 launch MSRP define the platform envelope. The Core i9-14900T, with its 35 W TDP and $549 launch MSRP, delivers dramatically higher throughput across every measured workload.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

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

Q: How do their boost clocks compare?

A: The Core i9-14900T boosts to 5.50 GHz, while the Core 5 221TE boosts to 5.00 GHz. The base clocks are 1.10 GHz and 1.80 GHz respectively.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: Both processors support ECC memory and both support DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The Core i9-14900T uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730.

Q: Are both processors on the same socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1700 and both provide PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in the benchmark suite?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the Core i9-14900T leads by 69.4%. The smallest gap is in PassMark physics, at 56.5%.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-14900T is built on the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation. Both processors are fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry.

The die sizes differ notably. The Core i9-14900T has a 257 mm² die, while the Core 5 221TE measures 215 mm². The L2 cache configuration diverges significantly: the Core i9-14900T provides 2 MB per core, whereas the Core 5 221TE offers 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache also differs, with 36 MB shared on the i9-14900T versus 24 MB shared on the Core 5 221TE. Both maintain 80 KB of L1 cache per core.

The production status for both is Active, and neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Core i9-14900T was released in January 2024, while the Core 5 221TE followed in January 2025.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several core specifications. The Core i9-14900T has 24 cores and 32 threads, compared to 10 cores and 16 threads on the Core 5 221TE. The base clock is lower on the i9-14900T at 1.10 GHz versus 1.80 GHz, but the boost clock is higher at 5.50 GHz versus 5.00 GHz.

The TDP ratings differ by 10 W: the Core i9-14900T is rated at 35 W, the Core 5 221TE at 45 W. The die size is 257 mm² for the i9-14900T and 215 mm² for the Core 5 221TE. L2 cache is 2 MB per core versus 1.25 MB per core, and L3 cache is 36 MB versus 24 MB.

The integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 on the i9-14900T, UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5 221TE. The memory bandwidth figures also differ, with the Core 5 221TE listed at 76.8 GB/s while the Core i9-14900T has no recorded bandwidth value. The part numbers are SRN3U for the i9-14900T and SRVQS for the Core 5 221TE.

The launch MSRP values are $549 for the Core i9-14900T and $232 for the Core 5 221TE.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core i9-14900T dominates every recorded benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 3104 against 1139, a 63.3% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows 438 versus 160, a 63.5% gap. Cinebench R20 multi-core delivers 12937 versus 4748, and single-core 1826 versus 670, both at 63.3% margins. Cinebench R23 multi-core reaches 30803 versus 11305, with single-core at 4348 versus 1596, again both 63.3%.

PassMark results amplify the difference. Data compression shows 436066 versus 156682, a 64.1% lead. Data encryption is 27062 versus 8963, a 66.9% margin. Extended instructions score 23660 versus 9655, a 59.2% gap. Prime number finding records 164 versus 59, a 64% difference. Floating point math hits 92699 versus 31661, a 65.8% lead. Integer math produces the largest margin at 138149 versus 42303, or 69.4%. The multithread score is 36239 versus 13301, a 63.3% gap. Physics scores 2245 versus 977, the smallest margin at 56.5%. Random string sorting is 49484 versus 16929, a 65.8% difference. Single-thread PassMark scores 4016 versus 1734, a 56.8% lead.

The average benchmark score reflects this dominance: 51015 for the Core i9-14900T against 17860 for the Core 5 221TE. The percentile ranking confirms the separation, with the i9-14900T at the 90th percentile and the Core 5 221TE at the 71st.

The nearest rivals for each chip reinforce the positioning. The Core i9-14900T trades blows with high-end parts like the Intel Core i7-13850HX and AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT, while the Core 5 221TE sits in the company of mid-range processors such as the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 5 120U. No measured workload favors the Core 5 221TE, and the data shows no scenario where the 10-core Bartlett Lake part closes the gap to the 24-core Raptor Lake processor.