Intel Core 5 330 vs Intel Core i5-14600 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a one-sided comparison. The Intel Core i5-14600 wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark tests against the Intel Core 5 330. The largest margins appear in multithreaded and math-heavy workloads, while the smallest gap sits in single-threaded PassMark results.

The multi-core Cinebench results are consistent. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core i5-14600 scores 30464 against 13150 for the Core 5 330, a delta of -56.8% from the perspective of the Core 5 330. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows the same pattern: 12794 versus 5523, again a -56.8% difference. Cinebench R15 multi-core delivers 3070 versus 1325, also -56.8%. The consistency of this margin across three Cinebench versions indicates a stable multi-core advantage rather than a workload-specific outlier.

Single-core Cinebench results tell a similar story. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core i5-14600 posts 4300 against 1856, a -56.8% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1806 versus 779 (-56.9%), and Cinebench R15 single-core shows 433 versus 186 (-57%). The near-identical percentage deltas across all Cinebench tests, both single and multi-core, point to a fixed performance ratio between the two processors in rendering workloads.

PassMark integer math produces the widest gap in the entire dataset. The Core i5-14600 scores 117078, while the Core 5 330 scores 33258, a -71.6% delta. This is the largest percentage difference recorded in any test. PassMark data compression also shows a substantial divide: 434620 versus 145287, a -66.6% delta. Random string sorting follows with 48043 versus 17771, a -63% difference.

The narrowest margin appears in PassMark single-thread tests. The Core i5-14600 scores 4167, and the Core 5 330 scores 4088, a delta of only -1.9%. This is the only test where the two processors are close. The single-thread PassMark result suggests that per-core performance is comparable, and the large multi-core differences stem primarily from core count and thread count rather than single-core efficiency.

Other PassMark tests show intermediate gaps. Floating point math: 85759 versus 43885, a -48.8% delta. Physics: 2330 versus 1201, a -48.5% delta. Extended instructions: 25674 versus 12808, a -50.1% delta. Data encryption: 25082 versus 11076, a -55.8% delta. Find prime numbers: 155 versus 114, a -26.5% delta. The Core i5-14600 holds a commanding lead in every category, but the size of that lead varies from roughly one-quarter to nearly three-quarters depending on the workload.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600 has an average benchmark score of 44889, while the Intel Core 5 330 records 18345. The Core i5-14600 also sits at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, compared to the 72nd percentile for the Core 5 330.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: In PassMark single-thread tests, the Core i5-14600 scores 4167 and the Core 5 330 scores 4088, a difference of only -1.9%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap is much larger: 4300 versus 1856, a -56.8% delta.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor in the database?

A: The Core 5 330 sits within 0.2% of the Intel Core i3-14100, Intel Core 7 360, Intel Core i3-13100, and Intel Core 3 305 by average score. The Core i5-14600 sits within 1% of the Intel Core i9-12900KS, AMD EPYC 4344P, AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D, and Intel Core Ultra X9 388H.

Q: Does the Core 5 330 win any benchmark test in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The Core i5-14600 wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmark tests. The Core 5 330 records zero wins in this comparison.

Q: What is the difference in PassMark multi-thread performance?

A: The Core i5-14600 scores 35848 in PassMark multi-thread, while the Core 5 330 scores 15471, a -56.8% delta. This matches the Cinebench multi-core margins almost exactly.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 330 does not list ECC memory support in its specifications.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different market segments and use different underlying designs. The Intel Core 5 330 is a mobile processor built on a 3 nm process with the Wildcat Lake codename. The Intel Core i5-14600 is a desktop processor built on a 10 nm process with the Raptor Lake-R codename and Raptor Lake architecture. Both are manufactured by Intel.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The Core 5 330 provides 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading support. The Core i5-14600 provides 14 cores and 20 threads, indicating a hybrid configuration with performance and efficiency cores. This thread advantage directly explains the large multi-core benchmark margins.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The Core 5 330 has a 192 KB L1 cache, 2.5 MB L2 cache, and 6 MB shared L3 cache. The Core i5-14600 lists its L1 as 80 KB per core and L2 as 2 MB per core, with 24 MB shared L3 cache. The die size for the Core i5-14600 is 257 mm², while the Core 5 330 has no recorded die size. The Core 5 330 uses a smaller process node at 3 nm, while the Core i5-14600 uses 10 nm.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Core i5-14600 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus and no recorded memory bandwidth figure. The Core i5-14600 supports ECC memory; the Core 5 330 does not.

PCIe capabilities differ by generation and lane count. The Core 5 330 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. The Core i5-14600 provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 5 330 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Core i5-14600 uses UHD Graphics 770.

Clock speeds favor the Core i5-14600. The Core 5 330 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Core i5-14600 has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. Thermal design power also differs: the Core 5 330 is rated at 15 W, while the Core i5-14600 is rated at 65 W. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The sockets are incompatible. The Core 5 330 uses Intel BGA 1516, a mobile socket, while the Core i5-14600 uses Intel Socket 1700 for desktop builds. The release dates are also different: the Core 5 330 launched on 2026-04-15, and the Core i5-14600 launched on 2024-01-07. The launch MSRP for the Core 5 330 is $309, and the launch MSRP for the Core i5-14600 is $255.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear division of roles. The Intel Core i5-14600 is the stronger processor in every recorded benchmark. Its average benchmark score of 44889 versus 18345 places it well above the Core 5 330, and its 89th percentile ranking versus the 72nd percentile confirms that it competes in a higher performance tier. The nearest rivals for each processor reinforce this: the Core i5-14600 trades within 1% of CPUs like the Intel Core i9-12900KS and AMD EPYC 4344P, while the Core 5 330 trades within 0.2% of lower-tier parts like the Intel Core i3-14100 and Intel Core 3 305.

The Core 5 330 is not without justification. Its 15 W TDP and 3 nm process node point to a low-power mobile design. Its single-thread PassMark score of 4088 sits within 1.9% of the Core i5-14600, showing that per-core efficiency is not drastically worse in at least one workload. However, the multi-core tests reveal a processor that cannot compete with the Core i5-14600 in threaded workloads, with consistent deltas around -56.8% across Cinebench and PassMark multi-thread.

The Core i5-14600 should be the choice for desktop workloads that demand raw throughput: rendering, compression, encryption, and math-heavy tasks. The Core 5 330 fits a different profile: a mobile processor with a low thermal envelope, a single-channel memory bus, and fewer PCIe lanes, designed for systems where power consumption and board size take priority over maximum performance. Users comparing these two parts directly should note that the Core i5-14600 also supports ECC memory and a dual-channel memory bus, both of which matter for certain desktop use cases.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. Core count: 6 versus 14. Thread count: 6 versus 20. Base clock: 1.50 GHz versus 2.70 GHz. Boost clock: 4.60 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. TDP: 15 W versus 65 W. Socket: Intel BGA 1516 versus Intel Socket 1700.

Process node: 3 nm versus 10 nm. Codename: Wildcat Lake versus Raptor Lake-R. Architecture: not recorded versus Raptor Lake. Die size: not recorded versus 257 mm². Cache: L1 192 KB versus 80 KB per core, L2 2.5 MB versus 2 MB per core, L3 6 MB shared versus 24 MB shared.

Memory support: DDR5 and LPDDR5X versus DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bus: single-channel versus dual-channel. Memory bandwidth: 59.7 GB/s versus not recorded. ECC memory: not supported versus supported. PCIe: Gen 4 with 6 lanes versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics: Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) versus UHD Graphics 770.

Market segment: Mobile versus Desktop. Release date: 2026-04-15 versus 2024-01-07. Launch MSRP: $309 versus $255. Multiplier: locked versus locked. Part number: SAE3G versus SRN44. The Core 5 330 has no recorded series name, while the Core i5-14600 belongs to the Core 14th Gen series.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14600 wins in every benchmark category recorded. Its largest advantages appear in PassMark integer math (-71.6% delta), data compression (-66.6%), random string sorting (-63%), and data encryption (-55.8%). These are throughput-oriented workloads that scale with core count, thread count, and memory bandwidth. The Core i5-14600 also wins all Cinebench tests by roughly 57%, covering both single-core and multi-core rendering scenarios.

The Core 5 330 has no benchmark wins in this comparison. Its closest result comes in PassMark single-thread, where its score of 4088 trails the Core i5-14600's 4167 by only 1.9%. This suggests that in lightly threaded tasks, the mobile processor can approach desktop-level per-core performance, even though it falls far behind in everything else. The Core 5 330 also shows a relatively smaller deficit in find prime numbers (-26.5%) compared to other PassMark tests, indicating that certain integer workloads are less punishing for the 6-core design.

The use-case split follows the market segments. The Core 5 330 is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP, 3 nm process, single-channel memory, and Intel BGA 1516 socket. It is designed for compact, power-constrained systems where the 6-core, 6-thread configuration and modest 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth are acceptable trade-offs. The Core i5-14600 is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP, dual-channel memory, Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, and ECC support. It is positioned for systems that need 14 cores, 20 threads, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache to handle heavy parallel workloads.

The data does not show any workload category where the Core 5 330 outperforms the Core i5-14600. The 17-0 win record in head-to-head benchmarks is unambiguous. The only question is whether the mobile processor's lower thermal envelope and newer process node matter more than raw performance for a given system design. For desktop applications where performance is the priority, the Core i5-14600 is the stronger part in every measured dimension.