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

FAQ

Q: How do the core counts and thread counts compare between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE has 8 cores and 16 threads. Both processors support 16 threads, but the Core 5 221TE has two additional physical cores.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel Core i9-14901KE has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. The i9-14901KE runs at higher frequencies in both states.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-14901KE offers 12 MB more L3 cache.

Q: What are the power consumption figures for these chips?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has a TDP of 45 watts, whereas the Intel Core i9-14901KE has a TDP of 125 watts. The Core 5 221TE consumes significantly less power.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has an average benchmark score of 17860 and sits at the 71st percentile among all CPUs. The Intel Core i9-14901KE has no recorded average benchmark score in the database and sits at the 50th percentile.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory and PCIe Gen 5?

A: Yes, both support ECC memory and both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). They also both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221TE wins in scenarios where multi-threaded throughput from additional physical cores matters. Its 10 cores and 16 threads give it a structural advantage in workloads that scale with core count, such as rendering, video encoding, and compilation tasks. The recorded Cinebench scores support this: the Core 5 221TE posts a multicore score of 11305 in Cinebench R23, 4748 in Cinebench R20, and 1139 in Cinebench R15. PassMark multithread results show 13301, and integer math reaches 42303. These figures indicate the chip handles parallel workloads effectively.

The Intel Core i9-14901KE wins in scenarios where single-thread performance and higher clock speeds dominate. Its boost clock reaches 5.80 GHz, which is 800 MHz higher than the Core 5 221TE. This suggests advantages in lightly threaded applications, gaming, and latency-sensitive tasks. However, the database contains no benchmark scores for the i9-14901KE, so direct measured comparisons of single-thread performance are unavailable. The Core 5 221TE records a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1596 and a PassMark single-thread score of 1734, providing a baseline for what the i9-14901KE would need to exceed.

The Core 5 221TE also wins in power-constrained environments. Its 45-watt TDP is substantially lower than the 125-watt TDP of the i9-14901KE, making it the more suitable option for compact builds or systems with modest cooling and power delivery. The i9-14901KE, with its higher TDP and unlocked multiplier, targets users who prioritize maximum performance over efficiency.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 5 221TE is built on the Bartlett Lake architecture, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE uses the Raptor Lake architecture (specifically Raptor Lake-R). Both are manufactured by Intel on a 10 nm process node, so the transistor manufacturing process is identical. The die sizes differ: the Core 5 221TE measures 215 mm², while the i9-14901KE measures 257 mm², indicating the i9-14901KE uses a larger physical die.

The core configurations reflect different design goals. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, which implies a mix of performance and efficiency cores to balance throughput against power draw. The i9-14901KE has 8 cores and 16 threads, a configuration that allocates more resources per core, consistent with its higher clock speeds and larger L3 cache.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache differs: the Core 5 221TE has 1.25 MB per core, while the i9-14901KE has 2 MB per core. The L3 cache totals 24 MB shared on the Core 5 221TE versus 36 MB shared on the i9-14901KE. The larger caches on the i9-14901KE likely reduce memory latency for frequently accessed data, which can improve single-threaded responsiveness.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 221TE includes UHD Graphics 730, while the i9-14901KE includes UHD Graphics 770. The i9-14901KE also has an unlocked multiplier, meaning it supports overclocking, whereas the Core 5 221TE does not. Both chips use the Intel Socket 1700 and support PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

The release timeline places the Core 5 221TE in January 2025, about six months after the i9-14901KE's release in June 2024. The Core 5 221TE carries the part number SRVQS, while the i9-14901KE carries Q49DSRNJC. The Core 5 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232; the i9-14901KE has no launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 10 (Core 5 221TE) versus 8 (i9-14901KE)
• Base clock: 1.80 GHz versus 3.80 GHz
• Boost clock: 5.00 GHz versus 5.80 GHz
• TDP: 45 watts versus 125 watts
• Codename: Bartlett Lake versus Raptor Lake-R
• Architecture: null versus Raptor Lake
• Generation: Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) versus Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh)
• Die size: 215 mm² versus 257 mm²
• L2 cache: 1.25 MB per core versus 2 MB per core
• L3 cache: 24 MB shared versus 36 MB shared
• Memory bandwidth: 76.8 GB/s versus null (not recorded)
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 versus UHD Graphics 770
• Multiplier unlocked: false versus true
• Part number: SRVQS versus Q49DSRNJC
• Release date: January 2025 versus June 2024
• Launch MSRP: $232 versus null

Specifications that match include the 10 nm process node, Intel Socket 1700, 16 threads, DDR4/DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, 80 KB L1 per core, and the active production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database does not contain direct head-to-head benchmark entries between the Intel Core 5 221TE and the Intel Core i9-14901KE. The head-to-head benchmark list is empty, and neither processor records wins in direct comparisons. The i9-14901KE has no individual benchmark scores in the database at all.

For the Core 5 221TE, the recorded measurements provide a performance profile. In Cinebench R23, it scores 11305 multicore and 1596 single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 4748 multicore and 670 single-core. In Cinebench R15, it scores 1139 multicore and 160 single-core. PassMark results include 13301 for multithread, 1734 for single-thread, 42303 for integer math, 31661 for floating point math, 9655 for extended instructions, 8963 for data encryption, 156682 for data compression, 16929 for random string sorting, 977 for physics, and 59 for find prime numbers.

The Core 5 221TE's average benchmark score of 17860 places it at the 71st percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in the database are the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with an average score of 17891 and a delta of -0.2%, the Intel Core 5 120U with an average score of 17898 and a delta of -0.2%, the Intel Core 7 350 with an average score of 17779 and a delta of 0.5%, and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 with an average score of 17994 and a delta of -0.7%. These deltas indicate the Core 5 221TE sits within a tight performance band around these chips, slightly behind the Ryzen 5 3600XT, Core 5 120U, and Ryzen 5 1600, and slightly ahead of the Core 7 350.

Without benchmark data for the i9-14901KE, the comparison rests on architectural and specification differences. The i9-14901KE's higher boost clock of 5.80 GHz and larger L3 cache of 36 MB suggest it should outperform the Core 5 221TE in single-threaded tasks, but the database provides no score to confirm this. Conversely, the Core 5 221TE's two additional cores and lower TDP indicate a multi-threaded efficiency advantage that is directly measured in its Cinebench and PassMark scores.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split by workload type. The Intel Core 5 221TE is the measured performer: the database contains its full benchmark suite, an average score of 17860, and a 71st percentile ranking. Its 10 cores and 45-watt TDP make it the stronger choice for multi-threaded applications and power-sensitive builds. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 11305 and PassMark multithread score of 13301 quantify its parallel processing capability.

The Intel Core i9-14901KE is the speculative performer. Its 8 cores, 5.80 GHz boost clock, 36 MB L3 cache, and 125-watt TDP point toward high single-thread performance and overclocking headroom, reinforced by its unlocked multiplier. But the database records no benchmark scores for this chip, so its actual performance cannot be verified from the available data. Its 50th percentile ranking without an average score further indicates an absence of measured results.

Users who need verified multi-threaded throughput, lower power consumption, and a documented performance record should select the Core 5 221TE. Users who prioritize maximum clock speed, larger cache, and overclocking capability, and who are willing to accept a higher TDP, would look to the i9-14901KE, understanding that its performance is not yet backed by database measurements. The choice hinges on whether the i9-14901KE's unmeasured specifications translate into real-world superiority, which the recorded data cannot confirm.