Intel Core 5 320 vs Intel Core i7-14650HX Comparison
Intel Core 5 320
Core i7-14650HX
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 320 vs Intel Core i7-14650HX
The Verdict
The recorded data shows a decisive split between these two mobile processors. The Intel Core i7-14650HX wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core 5 320 wins only 2. The Core i7-14650HX is the clear choice for any workload that scales with core count, threading, or sustained throughput. Its average benchmark score of 41576 places it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the Core 5 320's average score of 18023 and 72nd percentile. In multi-threaded tasks, the Core i7-14650HX leads by a wide margin, frequently by over 50% and sometimes by more than 70%. The Core 5 320, however, holds a narrow but consistent advantage in single-threaded PassMark testing, with a 5.3% lead. The data indicates that users prioritizing raw multi-core performance, such as rendering, compilation, or heavy data workloads, should select the Core i7-14650HX. Users whose primary concern is light, single-threaded responsiveness in a lower-power platform might find the Core 5 320 sufficient, but the overall performance gap is substantial.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different Intel design families and manufacturing nodes. The Core 5 320 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process node, and is classified under the Core 5 generation. The Core i7-14650HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh architecture, built on a 10 nm node, and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series. The Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning it lacks hyper-threading. The Core i7-14650HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, indicating a hybrid core configuration with a significant thread advantage. The Core 5 320's cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core i7-14650HX uses a different layout with 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The Core i7-14650HX also has a larger die size at 257 mm². The Core 5 320 integrates Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Core i7-14650HX ships with UHD Graphics 710. Memory support also differs: the Core 5 320 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus, while the Core i7-14650HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus. The Core i7-14650HX adds ECC memory support, which the Core 5 320 does not offer. The PCIe interface differs as well, with the Core 5 320 providing Gen 4 with 6 lanes and the Core i7-14650HX providing Gen 5 with 16 lanes.
Where Each One Wins
The benchmark results reveal a clear division of labor. The Intel Core i7-14650HX dominates every multi-core Cinebench test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 20454 versus 6197, a 69.7% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the scores are 11946 versus 5462, a 54.3% lead. The Core i7-14650HX also wins all multi-threaded PassMark tests, including integer math (116661 versus 32323, a 72.3% lead), data compression (398418 versus 148779, a 62.7% lead), and multithread (33495 versus 15450, a 53.9% lead). The Core i7-14650HX wins in physics (2202 versus 1221, a 44.6% lead) and floating point math (84999 versus 42440, a 50.1% lead).
The Core 5 320 wins only in the PassMark single-threaded test and its duplicate listing, scoring 4045 against 3841, a 5.3% advantage. This shows that in lightly threaded workloads, the newer 3 nm Wildcat Lake core can outperform the Raptor Lake core on a clock-for-clock or instruction-efficiency basis. However, the Core i7-14650HX still wins the Cinebench R23 single-core test narrowly, 1969 versus 1926, a 2.2% lead. The data suggests the Core 5 320 is better suited for short, single-threaded bursts, while the Core i7-14650HX is superior for any sustained, parallel workload.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?
A: The Intel Core i7-14650HX has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 320 has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz.
Q: What is the difference in multi-core performance?
A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core i7-14650HX scores 20454, which is 69.7% higher than the Core 5 320's score of 6197. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core i7-14650HX leads by 69.6% with 3470.5 versus 1054.
Q: Does the Core 5 320 win any benchmark?
A: Yes, the Core 5 320 wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 4045, a 5.3% lead over the Core i7-14650HX's 3841. It also wins the duplicate PassMark singlethread test with the same scores.
Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?
A: The Intel Core i7-14650HX supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 320 does not support ECC memory.
Q: How do the memory channels compare?
A: The Core i7-14650HX uses a dual-channel memory bus, while the Core 5 320 uses a single-channel memory bus. The Core 5 320 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is recorded for the Core i7-14650HX.
Q: What is the difference in the number of cores and threads?
A: The Core i7-14650HX has 16 cores and 24 threads. The Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The largest single benchmark win for the Core i7-14650HX is in PassMark integer math, where it scores 116661 against 32323, a 72.3% lead. This is followed by Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core i7-14650HX leads by 69.7% (20454 versus 6197), and Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it leads by 69.6% (3470.5 versus 1054). The Core i7-14650HX also shows a 62.7% lead in PassMark data compression (398418 versus 148779) and a 58.1% lead in PassMark random string sorting (43035 versus 18038). In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the lead is 54.3% (11946 versus 5462). The Core i7-14650HX wins PassMark multithread by 53.9% (33495 versus 15450), data encryption by 52.1% (22917 versus 10984), and floating point math by 50.1% (84999 versus 42440). Extended instructions show a 45.1% lead (24150 versus 13262), physics a 44.6% lead (2202 versus 1221), and find prime numbers a 27.6% lead (152 versus 110).
The Core i7-14650HX also wins the single-core Cinebench tests, though by smaller margins. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it leads by 54.3% (1686 versus 771), which is notable because this is a single-threaded test. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the lead is 3.3% (285.5 versus 276), and in Cinebench R23 single-core, the lead is 2.2% (1969 versus 1926). Despite these single-core Cinebench wins, the PassMark single-thread test goes the other way. The Core 5 320 scores 4045, a 5.3% lead over the Core i7-14650HX's 3841. This is the only category where the Core 5 320 demonstrates superiority. Overall, the Core i7-14650HX wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, with the Core 5 320 winning the remaining 2.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Core i7-14650HX uses a 2.20 GHz base clock and a 5.20 GHz boost clock. The Core 5 320 uses a 1.50 GHz base clock and a 4.60 GHz boost clock. The thermal design power differs significantly: the Core i7-14650HX is rated at 55 W, while the Core 5 320 is rated at 15 W. The Core i7-14650HX uses the Intel BGA 1964 socket, while the Core 5 320 uses the Intel BGA 1516 socket. The process node is 10 nm for the Core i7-14650HX and 3 nm for the Core 5 320. The die size is 257 mm² for the Core i7-14650HX, with no recorded die size for the Core 5 320. The Core i7-14650HX is unlocked (multiplier unlocked), while the Core 5 320 is not. The part numbers are SRMXH for the Core i7-14650HX and SAE3H for the Core 5 320. The Core i7-14650HX has a release date of 2024-01-07, while the Core 5 320 has a release date of 2026-04-15. The Core 5 320 has a launch MSRP of $340, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the Core i7-14650HX. The Core i7-14650HX supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Core 5 320 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes. The memory support differs as well, with the Core i7-14650HX supporting DDR4 and DDR5 and the Core 5 320 supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The integrated graphics differ, with the Core 5 320 using Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) and the Core i7-14650HX using UHD Graphics 710.