Intel Core 5 330 vs Intel Core i5-14401E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear and consistent picture. Across all six recorded Cinebench tests, the Intel Core i5-14401E delivers a decisive victory over the Intel Core 5 330. The margin is remarkably uniform, with the Core i5-14401E leading by 27.6% in five of the six tests and by 27.9% in the remaining single-core R15 run. There are no benchmark wins recorded for the Core 5 330 in this head-to-head comparison.

Starting with multi-core performance, the Core i5-14401E scores 1830 in Cinebench R15 multicore versus 1325 for the Core 5 330. The R20 multicore test shows a similar gap: 7627 against 5523. The R23 multicore result, often used as a proxy for sustained all-core workloads, records 18161 for the Core i5-14401E while the Core 5 330 manages 13150. These deltas all sit at 27.6%, indicating the performance advantage scales linearly across the different rendering workloads rather than appearing in only one specific benchmark.

Single-core results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, the Core i5-14401E scores 258 versus 186 for the Core 5 330, a 27.9% difference. The R20 singlecore test shows 1076 against 779, and the R23 singlecore test records 2564 versus 1856. The consistency of these margins suggests the architectural advantage of the Core i5-14401E is fundamental, not workload-specific. The 27.6% to 27.9% range across all six tests indicates the two processors are separated by a near-constant performance ratio, which points to differences in core design, thread count, and clock speeds rather than any caching or memory peculiarity.

Looking at the broader database context, the Core 5 330 holds a 72nd percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the Core i5-14401E sits at the 60th percentile. This is a curious inversion: the processor with the lower percentile ranking wins every head-to-head test. The explanation lies in the average benchmark scores. The Core 5 330 has an average benchmark score of 18345, while the Core i5-14401E averages only 5253. The database includes a wider suite of PassMark tests for the Core 5 330, including integer math, floating-point math, data compression, and encryption, which inflate its average. The Core i5-14401E only has Cinebench results recorded, which are lower in absolute terms but come from a different scoring scale. The nearest rivals for each processor confirm this: the Core 5 330 sits within 0.2% of the Core 7 360 and Core i3-13100, while the Core i5-14401E is within 0.8% of the Core i5-13400T and within 0.2% of the Core i7-11700B.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation, built on a 3 nm process node. The Core i5-14401E is a Raptor Lake Refresh part, part of the Core 14th Gen series, fabricated on a 10 nm node. Both are Intel products, but the process node difference is substantial: 3 nm versus 10 nm. The smaller node typically allows for higher transistor density and improved power efficiency, though the recorded performance data does not show an efficiency advantage for the Core 5 330 in these benchmarks.

Core configuration diverges significantly. The Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The Core i5-14401E also has 6 cores but 12 threads, indicating simultaneous multithreading support. This thread count difference is likely a major contributor to the multi-core benchmark margins, as the Core i5-14401E can process twice as many threads simultaneously. Clock speeds also favor the older architecture: the Core 5 330 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, while the Core i5-14401E starts at 2.50 GHz and boosts to 4.70 GHz. The higher base clock of the Core i5-14401E is particularly relevant for sustained workloads and single-core performance.

Cache hierarchies are completely different. The Core 5 330 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i5-14401E lists its L1 cache as 80 KB per core, L2 as 1.25 MB per core, and L3 as 20 MB shared. With 6 cores, the per-core numbers translate to roughly 480 KB of L1 and 7.5 MB of L2 in aggregate for the Core i5-14401E, though the per-core specification means the cache scales directly with core count. The L3 cache advantage for the Core i5-14401E is substantial: 20 MB versus 6 MB, a 3.3x difference that likely helps with data-heavy workloads.

Memory support also differs. The Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a single-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core i5-14401E supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus, though no memory bandwidth figure is recorded. The dual-channel configuration of the Core i5-14401E provides twice the memory channels compared to the single-channel Core 5 330, which can be a bottleneck for memory-intensive applications. ECC memory support is present on the Core i5-14401E but absent on the Core 5 330.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The Core 5 330 uses Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i5-14401E uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are also different: the Core 5 330 has Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Core i5-14401E has UHD Graphics 730. The Core 5 330 is a mobile part with a 15 W TDP, while the Core i5-14401E is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP. The socket types confirm the platform split: BGA 1516 for the mobile chip, Socket 1700 for the desktop chip.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E scores 18161 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Intel Core 5 330 scores 13150. This gives the Core i5-14401E a 27.6% lead in this test.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare between the two processors?

A: The Core i5-14401E leads in all three single-core Cinebench tests. In R15 singlecore, it scores 258 versus 186 for the Core 5 330, a 27.9% difference. In R20 singlecore, the scores are 1076 versus 779 (27.6% lead), and in R23 singlecore, 2564 versus 1856 (27.6% lead).

Q: What is the thread count difference between the two chips?

A: The Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Core i5-14401E supports hyper-threading, effectively doubling its thread count.

Q: Do the processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a single-channel bus. The Core i5-14401E supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus. The Core i5-14401E also supports ECC memory, which the Core 5 330 does not.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Core 5 330 has an average benchmark score of 18345, while the Core i5-14401E has an average benchmark score of 5253. The Core 5 330 includes additional PassMark tests in its benchmark set, which contributes to its higher average score despite losing all head-to-head Cinebench tests.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core i5-14401E has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, compared to 4.60 GHz for the Core 5 330. The base clocks are 2.50 GHz and 1.50 GHz respectively.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 330 | Intel Core i5-14401E |

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

| Cores | 6 | 6 |

| Threads | 6 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Raptor Lake-R |

| Generation | Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) | Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 215 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

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

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2026-04-15 | 2024-06-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SAE3G | Q49JSRNJS |

The Verdict

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity regarding raw performance. The Intel Core i5-14401E wins all six head-to-head Cinebench benchmarks, with consistent margins between 27.6% and 27.9%. The thread count advantage (12 versus 6) and higher base clock (2.50 GHz versus 1.50 GHz) are the most plausible drivers of this gap. The Core i5-14401E also offers a larger L3 cache (20 MB versus 6 MB), dual-channel memory support, ECC capability, and Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, all of which are absent from the Core 5 330.

The Core 5 330 counters with a smaller process node (3 nm versus 10 nm), a substantially lower TDP (15 W versus 65 W), and modern memory support for LPDDR5X. Its launch MSRP is $309, while the Core i5-14401E has no recorded launch price. The Core 5 330 also holds a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs (72nd versus 60th), though this is influenced by the different benchmark sets recorded for each processor.

For users prioritizing maximum multi-threaded and single-threaded performance in rendering workloads, the data unequivocally favors the Core i5-14401E. Its double thread count and higher clocks translate directly into superior Cinebench results. For scenarios where power consumption and platform integration matter, particularly in mobile or compact systems, the Core 5 330 presents a more efficient option on paper, though the recorded benchmarks do not include any power or efficiency measurements to confirm this.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i5-14401E wins on raw processing power. Every recorded Cinebench test shows a 27.6% to 27.9% advantage. The multi-core results (R15: 1830 versus 1325, R20: 7627 versus 5523, R23: 18161 versus 13150) indicate a substantial lead in threaded workloads like video rendering, 3D modeling, and compilation. The single-core results (R15: 258 versus 186, R20: 1076 versus 779, R23: 2564 versus 1856) show the advantage persists even in lightly threaded tasks. The 12 threads versus 6 threads is the most obvious differentiator, but the higher base clock (2.50 GHz versus 1.50 GHz) and larger L3 cache (20 MB versus 6 MB) also contribute.

Intel Core 5 330 wins on platform flexibility and efficiency metrics. The 3 nm process node and 15 W TDP position it as a mobile-oriented chip with significantly lower power draw than the 65 W desktop part. The support for LPDDR5X memory, the single-channel bus with a recorded bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, and the compact BGA 1516 socket make it suitable for thin-and-light systems. The integrated Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores represents a newer graphics architecture than the UHD Graphics 730 in the Core i5-14401E, though no graphics benchmarks are recorded to compare their performance.

The database shows a trade-off between performance and power envelope. The Core i5-14401E delivers superior Cinebench scores across the board, but it requires a desktop platform with a 65 W TDP and Socket 1700. The Core 5 330 sacrifices performance for a 15 W TDP and mobile form factor. The percentile rankings complicate this picture: the Core 5 330 ranks at the 72nd percentile versus the 60th for the Core i5-14401E, but this ranking is based on different benchmark sets. The head-to-head data, which uses identical tests, is the more reliable indicator of direct performance comparison.

For desktop users with access to standard power budgets, the Core i5-14401E is the clear choice based on benchmark results. The 27.6% performance margin in multi-core tests and the 27.9% margin in the R15 single-core test are decisive. The dual-channel memory bus and Gen 5 PCIe support further enhance its suitability for workstations. For mobile users or those prioritizing low power consumption, the Core 5 330 offers a modern process node and efficient design, but the recorded data does not include any power efficiency benchmarks to quantify this advantage. The choice ultimately depends on whether raw performance or platform characteristics take precedence.