Intel Core 5 320 vs Intel Core i9-14900HX Comparison

The Intel Core 5 320 and Intel Core i9-14900HX occupy different corners of Intel's mobile lineup. The Core 5 320 is a 6-thread Wildcat Lake part with a 15 TDP and a 3 nm process node; the i9-14900HX is a 32-thread Raptor Lake-HX part with a 55 TDP and a 10 nm process node. In the database's head-to-head results, the i9-14900HX wins all 17 comparisons, while the Core 5 320 records no wins. The benchmark gap is largest in multi-threaded tests, but the single-thread results are much closer.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Every head-to-head entry in the database names the Intel Core i9-14900HX as the winner. The widest margin is PassMark integer math: the Core 5 320 scores 32323, the i9-14900HX scores 157375, and the delta is -79.5%. Cinebench R23 multicore is nearly identical in scale: 6197 versus 30055, a -79.4% delta. Cinebench R15 multicore records 1054 versus 4574, a -77% delta.

Data compression and random string sorting also show large gaps. PassMark data compression scores are 148779 versus 539965, a -72.4% delta. PassMark random string sorting scores are 18038 versus 60861, a -70.4% delta. Data encryption follows at 10984 versus 32619, a -66.3% delta. Cinebench R20 multicore and singlecore both record a -65% delta: 5462 versus 15616 and 771 versus 2204. PassMark multithread is 15450 versus 43778, a -64.7% delta.

Other PassMark tests continue the pattern. Floating point math: 42440 versus 112273, a -62.2% delta. Extended instructions: 13262 versus 31247, a -57.6% delta. Physics: 1221 versus 2638, a -53.7% delta. Prime numbers: 110 versus 193, a -43% delta. The only single-thread test in the PassMark set, recorded twice with the same values, shows 4045 versus 4175, a -3.1% delta.

The Cinebench single-core results are also much tighter than the multi-core results. Cinebench R23 singlecore is 1926 versus 2181.5, a -11.7% delta. Cinebench R15 singlecore is 276 versus 310.5, a -11.1% delta. These numbers indicate that the Core 5 320's per-thread performance is not far behind; the i9-14900HX builds its overall advantage from 24 cores and 32 threads against 6 cores and 6 threads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use different core designs, process nodes, and platform features. The Core 5 320 has the codename Wildcat Lake and the generation label Core 5 (Wildcat Lake); the i9-14900HX has the codename Raptor Lake-HX, the architecture label Raptor Lake, and the generation label Core i9 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh). The Core 5 320 is built on a 3 nm process node, while the i9-14900HX is built on a 10 nm process node. Both are fabricated by Intel.

Core and thread counts are the most important architectural split. The Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks are 1.50 for the Core 5 320 and 2.20 for the i9; boost clocks are 4.60 and 5.80, respectively. The TDP values are 15 and 55. The i9 also has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 5 320 is locked.

Cache organization differs substantially. The Core 5 320 lists 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-14900HX lists L1 as 80 KB per core, L2 as 2 MB per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9's shared L3 is the larger of the two, and its per-core cache structure reflects a different core layout.

Memory and I/O features also separate the pair. The Core 5 320 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel memory bus, with a recorded bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The i9-14900HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel memory bus, with no bandwidth figure recorded. ECC memory support is false on the Core 5 320 and true on the i9-14900HX. The PCIe interface is Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes on the Core 5 320, compared with Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes on the i9-14900HX.

The integrated graphics are another point of difference: Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) on the Core 5 320, UHD Graphics 770 on the i9-14900HX. Sockets are BGA 1516 for the Core 5 320 and BGA 1964 for the i9. The i9 has a recorded die size of 257 mm²; no die size is recorded for the Core 5 320. Release dates are 2026-04-15 for the Core 5 320 and 2024-01-07 for the i9.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Core 5 320 records no wins. The closest head-to-head result is PassMark single thread, where the Core 5 320 scores 4045 and the i9-14900HX scores 4175, a -3.1% delta.

Q: How large is the multi-core gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 5 320 scores 6197 and the i9-14900HX scores 30055, a -79.4% delta. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 5462 versus 15616, a -65% delta. PassMark multithread shows 15450 versus 43778, a -64.7% delta.

Q: Are the single-thread results closer?

A: Yes. PassMark single thread is 4045 versus 4175, a -3.1% delta. Cinebench R23 singlecore is 1926 versus 2181.5, a -11.7% delta. Cinebench R15 singlecore is 276 versus 310.5, a -11.1% delta. The i9-14900HX wins each test, but the margins are much smaller than in multi-core tests.

Q: What do the overall database scores say?

A: The Core 5 320 has an average benchmark score of 18023 and sits at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. The i9-14900HX has an average benchmark score of 56004 and sits at the 91st percentile.

Q: Which processors appear as nearest rivals for each?

A: For the Core 5 320, the nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (17994, 0.2% delta), Intel Core 5 120U (17898, 0.7%), Intel Core i5-1334U (18154, -0.7%), and AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17891, 0.7%). For the i9-14900HX, they include the Intel Core 7 253PQE (55919, 0.2%), AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 (56273, -0.5%), AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 470 (56306, -0.5%), and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX (56555, -1%).

Q: What memory and ECC differences are recorded?

A: The Core 5 320 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. The i9-14900HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with no bandwidth recorded, and ECC memory support is true.

The Verdict

The recorded data produces a clear outcome: the Intel Core i9-14900HX wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including every Cinebench and PassMark test in the comparison. The Core 5 320 has no benchmark win. Its average benchmark score of 18023 places it at the 72nd percentile, while the i9-14900HX reaches 56004 and the 91st percentile.

The Core 5 320 remains distinct at the specification level. It uses a 3 nm process node, has a TDP of 15, and supports LPDDR5X memory. The i9-14900HX uses a 10 nm process node, has a TDP of 55, supports DDR4 and DDR5, includes ECC memory support, and has an unlocked multiplier. The performance-focused choice in this pair is the i9-14900HX; the power-constrained mobile choice is the Core 5 320.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core 5 320 | Intel Core i9-14900HX |

|---|---|---|

| Series | Not recorded | Core 14th Gen |

| Generation | Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) | Core i9 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh) |

| Architecture | Not recorded | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Raptor Lake-HX |

| Process node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

| Cores | 6 | 24 |

| Threads | 6 | 32 |

| Base clock | 1.50 | 2.20 |

| Boost clock | 4.60 | 5.80 |

| TDP | 15 | 55 |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| L1 cache | 192 KB | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 2.5 MB | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 6 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC memory | False | True |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Die size | Not recorded | 257 mm² |

| Release date | 2026-04-15 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $340 | Not recorded |

| Multiplier unlocked | False | True |

| Part number | SAE3H | SRMXF |

| Average benchmark score | 18023 | 56004 |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 72 | 91 |

| Head-to-head wins | 0 | 17 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14900HX wins every benchmark in the comparison. Its largest margins are in PassMark integer math (-79.5%), Cinebench R23 multicore (-79.4%), Cinebench R15 multicore (-77%), and PassMark data compression (-72.4%). It also wins the single-thread tests, with the narrowest margin being PassMark single thread at -3.1%. For workloads represented by Cinebench multi-core, PassMark multithread, data compression, encryption, floating point, and integer math, the i9-14900HX is the only part in this pair with the recorded performance.

The Intel Core 5 320 has no head-to-head benchmark wins. Its use case comes from the specification sheet rather than the benchmark table. It has a TDP of 15, a 3 nm process node, a single-channel memory bus with LPDDR5X support, and uses Intel BGA 1516. For a mobile design constrained by a 15 TDP and a 3 nm process, the Core 5 320 is the part the data points to; for maximum benchmark scores, the i9-14900HX is the clear selection.