Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core i9-14901E Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark record is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-14901E wins every head-to-head comparison in the database. Across all 17 recorded tests, the Core i9-14901E posts a higher score, leaving the Intel Core 5 221TE with zero wins. The margin is consistently large, ranging from a 44% deficit for the Core 5 221TE in extended instructions to a 68.8% deficit in prime number finding.

The Core 5 221TE does not take a single category. Its closest relative performance comes in PassMark extended instructions, where it trails by 44%, while its largest gap is in the PassMark physics test, where the i9-14901E leads by 67.9%. This pattern suggests the i9-14901E is the stronger choice for essentially any compute-heavy workload the database covers.

Looking at the broader percentile rankings, the Core i9-14901E sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 221TE sits at the 71st. That 15-point percentile gap matches the average benchmark score difference: the i9-14901E averages 37,911, while the 221TE averages 17,860. The i9-14901E's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (0% delta) and AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (0.1% ahead of the i9). The 221TE's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 5 120U, both within 0.2% of its average score.

For single-threaded work, the gap is severe. The i9-14901E scores 4,354 in PassMark single-thread, versus 1,734 for the 221TE, a 60.2% difference. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i9 scores 3,635 against 1,596. That means the i9-14901E is roughly 2.3 times faster in single-core Cinebench R23. For applications that depend on one heavy thread, such as older games or lightly threaded productivity tools, the i9-14901E delivers far more responsiveness.

Multithreaded workloads show a similar story. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9-14901E scores 25,753 versus 11,305 for the 221TE, a 56.1% lead. PassMark multithread shows 30,298 versus 13,301. The i9-14901E also dominates in integer math (112,736 versus 42,303, a 62.5% gap) and floating-point math (81,089 versus 31,661, a 61% gap). Compression and encryption workloads follow suit: data compression favors the i9 by 45.7%, and data encryption by 51.7%.

The only area where the 221TE comes close to competitive is in extended instructions (44% gap), but that is still a decisive loss. In short, the database shows no workload category where the Core 5 221TE holds an advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several core specifications. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i9-14901E uses 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite having two fewer cores, the i9-14901E delivers far higher benchmark scores, which indicates its per-core performance advantage is substantial.

Base and boost clocks differ significantly. The 221TE runs at a 1.80 GHz base clock and 5.00 GHz boost clock. The i9-14901E runs at a 2.80 GHz base clock and 5.60 GHz boost clock. That is a 1.0 GHz higher base clock and 0.6 GHz higher boost clock for the i9.

Thermal design power also differs. The 221TE has a 45 W TDP, while the i9-14901E has a 65 W TDP. Both use the Intel Socket 1700.

Cache configuration differs in L2 and L3. The 221TE has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 24 MB of shared L3. The i9-14901E has 2 MB of L2 per core and 36 MB of shared L3. L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core. The i9's larger L3 (36 MB versus 24 MB) and larger per-core L2 contribute to its higher memory-level performance.

The integrated graphics differ: the 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the i9-14901E uses UHD Graphics 770. Memory support is the same (DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel), and both support ECC memory. The 221TE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s; the database does not list a memory bandwidth figure for the i9-14901E. Both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Process node and die size differ. Both use Intel's 10 nm process, but the 221TE has a die size of 215 mm², while the i9-14901E has a die size of 257 mm². The 221TE's part number is SRVQS; the i9's is Q49ESRNJH. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232. The database does not list a launch MSRP for the i9-14901E.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families. The Intel Core 5 221TE belongs to the Bartlett Lake generation, with the codename Bartlett Lake. The Intel Core i9-14901E belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, with the Raptor Lake architecture and codename Raptor Lake-R.

The Bartlett Lake design in the 221TE uses 10 cores with 16 threads, which implies a mix of performance and efficiency cores. The Raptor Lake-R design in the i9-14901E uses 8 cores with 16 threads, which also implies a hybrid arrangement, but with fewer total cores. The i9's higher base and boost clocks (2.80 GHz and 5.60 GHz versus 1.80 GHz and 5.00 GHz) suggest that its cores are tuned for higher frequency operation.

Cache design differs beyond total capacity. The 221TE's L2 is 1.25 MB per core, while the i9's L2 is 2 MB per core. That 0.75 MB per-core difference adds up: with 8 cores, the i9 has 16 MB of total L2, versus 12.5 MB for the 10-core 221TE. The L3 is 36 MB shared on the i9 versus 24 MB shared on the 221TE. Larger caches typically reduce latency for frequently accessed data, which helps in both single-threaded and multithreaded workloads.

The die size difference (257 mm² versus 215 mm²) reflects the i9's larger L3 and per-core L2. Both use the same 10 nm Intel process, so the larger die is mostly attributable to additional cache.

Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 on the i9 versus UHD Graphics 730 on the 221TE. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory, dual-channel, with ECC support. The 221TE lists a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s; the i9's memory bandwidth is not recorded.

The release dates differ: the 221TE released in January 2025, while the i9-14901E released in June 2024. Both are currently active in production. Both use the Intel Socket 1700 and PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E has a 5.60 GHz boost clock. The Intel Core 5 221TE has a 5.00 GHz boost clock.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the i9-14901E?

A: The i9-14901E has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9 also has 2 MB of L2 per core versus 1.25 MB per core on the 221TE.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E averages 37,911, while the Intel Core 5 221TE averages 17,860. The i9 sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs, versus the 71st percentile for the 221TE.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 5 221TE and Intel Core i9-14901E support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E has a 65 W TDP. The Intel Core 5 221TE has a 45 W TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a clean sweep: the Intel Core i9-14901E wins all 17 tests, with the Core 5 221TE losing every comparison. The largest single deficit for the 221TE is in PassMark physics, where the i9 scores 3,041 versus 977, a 67.9% gap. The smallest deficit is in PassMark extended instructions, where the i9 leads 17,249 versus 9,655, a 44% gap.

Cinebench results are consistent across all three versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9 scores 2,595 versus 1,139, a 56.1% lead. In R15 single-core, the i9 scores 366 versus 160, a 56.3% lead. In R20 multi-core, the i9 scores 10,816 versus 4,748 (56.1% gap), and in R20 single-core, 1,526 versus 670 (56.1% gap). In R23 multi-core, the i9 scores 25,753 versus 11,305 (56.1% gap), and in R23 single-core, 3,635 versus 1,596 (56.1% gap).

PassMark results show similar margins. Data compression: the i9 scores 288,777 versus 156,682, a 45.7% lead. Data encryption: 18,571 versus 8,963, a 51.7% lead. Extended instructions: 17,249 versus 9,655, a 44% lead. Prime number finding: 189 versus 59, a 68.8% lead. Floating-point math: 81,089 versus 31,661, a 61% lead. Integer math: 112,736 versus 42,303, a 62.5% lead. Multithread: 30,298 versus 13,301, a 56.1% lead. Physics: 3,041 versus 977, a 67.9% lead. Random string sorting: 39,138 versus 16,929, a 56.7% lead. Single-thread: 4,354 versus 1,734, a 60.2% lead. The database also lists a duplicate single-thread test with identical scores and the same 60.2% delta.

The pattern is clear. The i9-14901E leads by roughly 44% to 69% depending on the workload, with the largest gaps in physics and prime number finding, and the smallest in extended instructions. The 221TE's 10 cores do not compensate for the i9's higher clocks, larger caches, and more efficient per-core execution. The i9-14901E also outperforms the 221TE in average score by a factor of 2.12 (37,911 versus 17,860), and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (0% delta) and AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (0.1% ahead). The 221TE's nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, sits only 0.2% ahead of it, confirming that the 221TE competes in a much lower performance tier.