Intel Core 5 223PE vs Intel Core i9-14900HX Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits sharply between the Intel Core 5 223PE and the Intel Core i9-14900HX. The i9-14900HX wins 13 of 17 head-to-head tests, with its largest advantages appearing in multi-threaded workloads. The Core 5 223PE takes 4 wins, all in single-threaded tests, and its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3734 is 71.2% higher than the i9-14900HX's 2181.5. The average benchmark score tells the broader story: the i9-14900HX averages 56004, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 223PE averages 40585, in the 87th percentile. The i9-14900HX also sits 28.2% higher in overall average score (calculated from 56004 versus 40585). Users prioritizing heavily threaded rendering, compression, and math workloads should select the i9-14900HX. Users prioritizing single-core responsiveness, particularly in Cinebench R23, should select the Core 5 223PE. The i9-14900HX's nearest rival, the Intel Core 7 253PQE, scores 55919, a delta of 0.2%, essentially matching the i9. The Core 5 223PE's closest rival, the Intel Core 7 253PE, scores 40557, a 0.1% delta, also a near tie.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to different Intel families and market segments. The Core 5 223PE is a desktop part using the Bartlett Lake codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process, and fits the Intel Socket 1700. The i9-14900HX is a mobile processor from the Core 14th Gen series, using the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh architecture, also on a 10 nm process, but it uses the Intel BGA 1964 socket. The die size for the i9-14900HX is 257 mm², while the Core 5 223PE has no recorded die size.

Core counts differ substantially. The Core 5 223PE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads. The i9's thread count is double the Core 5's, which directly explains its dominance in multi-threaded benchmarks. Base clocks differ as well: the Core 5 runs at 2.90 GHz base and boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the i9 runs at 2.20 GHz base and boosts to 5.80 GHz. The higher boost clock on the i9 does not translate to single-core wins, as the Core 5's simpler architecture and higher base clock appear to deliver better single-thread results.

Cache hierarchies differ in total capacity but share per-core structure. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core. The L3 cache, however, is 24 MB shared on the Core 5 versus 36 MB shared on the i9. The i9's larger L3 cache likely supports its multi-threaded throughput. Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel buses, and both support ECC memory. The Core 5 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i9 has no recorded bandwidth figure. Both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ: the Core 5 uses UHD Graphics 730, the i9 uses UHD Graphics 770. The i9 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 5 does not, and the i9 launched in January 2024, while the Core 5's release date is March 2026. The Core 5 has a launch MSRP of $232; the i9 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 223PE wins exclusively in single-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R15 single-core score is 376 versus 310.5 for the i9, a 21.1% advantage. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3734 crushes the i9's 2181.5, a 71.2% gap. In PassMark single-thread testing, the Core 5 scores 4219 versus 4175, a narrow 1.1% win. These results indicate the Core 5's per-core performance is markedly stronger, likely due to its higher base clock and lower core count, which reduces thermal and power contention. The single-thread wins matter for lightly threaded applications such as older games, some productivity tools, and responsiveness in everyday tasks.

The i9-14900HX wins across nearly every multi-threaded metric. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 4574 versus 2666, a 41.7% lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 15616 versus 11111, a 28.8% lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 30055 versus 26455, a 12% lead. The PassMark suite shows similar patterns: data compression favors the i9 by 35.8% (539965 versus 346623), data encryption by 43.4% (32619 versus 18448), floating point math by 31.9% (112273 versus 76468), integer math by 36.6% (157375 versus 99819), and multithread by 28.9% (43778 versus 31124). The i9 also wins in random string sorting by 41.2% (60861 versus 35798), extended instructions by 21% (31247 versus 24672), and find prime numbers by 17.6% (193 versus 159). The smallest i9 win is in PassMark physics, 2638 versus 2493, a 5.5% margin. The i9's 24 cores and 32 threads provide the raw parallelism that the 8-core Core 5 cannot match.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE wins all three single-threaded head-to-head tests. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 3734 versus 2181.5 for the i9-14900HX, a 71.2% advantage. Its PassMark single-thread score is 4219 versus 4175, a 1.1% win. Its Cinebench R15 single-core score is 376 versus 310.5, a 21.1% win.

Q: Which CPU has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX wins every multi-threaded benchmark in the head-to-head set. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 30055 versus 26455 for the Core 5, a 12% lead. Its PassMark multithread score is 43778 versus 31124, a 28.9% lead.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Core 5 223PE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads. The i9 has three times the cores and double the threads.

Q: What are the cache differences?

A: Both CPUs use 80 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core. The Core 5 has 24 MB shared L3, while the i9 has 36 MB shared L3. The i9's L3 cache is 50% larger.

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The i9-14900HX boosts to 5.80 GHz, while the Core 5 boosts to 5.20 GHz. The i9's boost clock is 0.60 GHz higher, but this does not translate into single-core benchmark wins for the i9.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel buses. Both also support ECC memory. The Core 5 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i9 does not have a recorded bandwidth figure.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single victory in the entire comparison belongs to the Core 5 223PE in Cinebench R23 single-core, where its 3734 score beats the i9's 2181.5 by 71.2%. This is the most decisive margin recorded in either direction and confirms that the Core 5's single-thread architecture is substantially stronger. The next largest Core 5 win is in Cinebench R15 single-core, with 376 versus 310.5, a 21.1% margin. The PassMark single-thread win is much smaller, 4219 versus 4175, just 1.1%, showing that different single-thread workloads vary in how much they favor the Core 5.

The i9-14900HX's largest win is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where its 4574 score beats the Core 5's 2666 by 41.7%. Data encryption shows a 43.4% gap (32619 versus 18448), which is the largest PassMark margin. Data compression follows at 35.8% (539965 versus 346623), random string sorting at 41.2% (60861 versus 35798), and integer math at 36.6% (157375 versus 99819). Floating point math shows a 31.9% gap (112273 versus 76468). The i9's Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 15616 beats 11111 by 28.8%, and its PassMark multithread score of 43778 beats 31124 by 28.9%. Extended instructions show a 21% gap (31247 versus 24672), and find prime numbers shows a 17.6% gap (193 versus 159). The i9's Cinebench R23 multi-core win is its smallest, 30055 versus 26455, only a 12% margin, suggesting that R23's workload scales less perfectly with core count. Physics is the tightest i9 win overall, 2638 versus 2493, just 5.5%.

The overall win count is 13 for the i9 and 4 for the Core 5. The average benchmark scores reinforce this: the i9's 56004 average is 38% higher than the Core 5's 40585. In percentile terms, the i9 sits at 91, the Core 5 at 87, a 4-point gap. The i9's nearest rival, the Intel Core 7 253PQE, scores 55919, only 0.2% behind, while the Core 5's nearest rival, the Intel Core 7 253PE, scores 40557, only 0.1% behind. Both CPUs sit in competitive neighborhoods, but the absolute performance tier is clearly different, with the i9 operating in a higher average score band. The data indicates that the i9-14900HX is the preferred part for any workload that can use more than a handful of threads, while the Core 5 223PE is the preferred part for workloads that rely on a single thread's speed.