Intel Core 5 330 vs Intel Core i9-14900HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive picture: the Intel Core i9-14900HX wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core 5 330. The largest margins appear in heavily multi-threaded workloads, while the smallest gap occurs in single-threaded tests.

In PassMark integer math, the Core i9-14900HX scores 157375 versus 33258 for the Core 5 330, a 78.9% advantage. Data compression shows a similar pattern: 539965 against 145287, a 73.1% lead. Random string sorting favors the Core i9-14900HX by 70.8% (60861 vs 17771). These three tests highlight the Core i9-14900HX's strength in tasks that scale with core count and memory bandwidth.

Cinebench results reinforce the multi-core dominance. The Core i9-14900HX delivers 30055 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 13150, a 56.2% gap. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the margin is 64.6% (15616 vs 5523). Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 71% difference (4574 vs 1325). The Core i9-14900HX also leads in PassMark multithread by 64.7% (43778 vs 15471), floating point math by 60.9% (112273 vs 43885), and extended instructions by 59% (31247 vs 12808).

Data encryption favors the Core i9-14900HX by 66% (32619 vs 11076). Physics simulation in PassMark shows a 54.5% advantage (2638 vs 1201). Prime number finding, a more latency-sensitive workload, still favors the Core i9-14900HX by 40.9% (193 vs 114).

Single-threaded performance narrows the gap considerably. In PassMark single-thread, the Core i9-14900HX scores 4175 versus 4088, only a 2.1% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 14.9% gap (2181.5 vs 1856). Cinebench R20 single-core presents a 64.7% difference (2204 vs 779), and Cinebench R15 single-core shows 40.1% (310.5 vs 186). The PassMark result indicates that for lightly threaded workloads, the two processors are far closer than the multi-core tests suggest.

The overall average benchmark score tells the same story: 56004 for the Core i9-14900HX versus 18345 for the Core 5 330. In the database's percentile ranking, the Core i9-14900HX sits at the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 330 is at the 72nd percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design generations. The Intel Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm process node, while the Intel Core i9-14900HX is built on Raptor Lake-HX architecture using a 10 nm node. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the process disparity is substantial.

Core counts differ sharply. The Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The Core i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads, which indicates a hybrid arrangement of performance and efficiency cores typical of Raptor Lake. The thread count difference of 32 versus 6 explains much of the multi-core benchmark gap.

Cache configurations reflect the architectural gulf. The Core 5 330 has 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core i9-14900HX lists 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The total L3 capacity is six times larger on the Core i9-14900HX.

Memory support diverges. The Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i9-14900HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus. The Core i9-14900HX also supports ECC memory, while the Core 5 330 does not.

PCIe connectivity differs in both generation and lane count. The Core 5 330 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. The Core i9-14900HX provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. This gives the Core i9-14900HX more bandwidth for discrete GPUs and storage devices.

Integrated graphics are different as well. The Core 5 330 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The Core i9-14900HX uses UHD Graphics 770. The sockets differ: Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 5 330 and Intel BGA 1964 for the Core i9-14900HX.

Clock speeds favor the Core i9-14900HX. Its base clock is 2.20 GHz with a boost of 5.80 GHz, compared to 1.50 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost on the Core 5 330. The thermal design power is 15 watts for the Core 5 330 and 55 watts for the Core i9-14900HX, which explains why the larger chip can sustain higher clocks.

The Core i9-14900HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 5 330 does not. The Core i9-14900HX die size is recorded at 257 mm². The Core 5 330 has no listed die size. Release dates are January 2024 for the Core i9-14900HX and April 2026 for the Core 5 330. The Core 5 330 has a launch MSRP of $309.

The Verdict

The data confirms that the Intel Core i9-14900HX is the stronger processor by a wide margin in almost every measured category. Its 91st percentile ranking versus the 72nd percentile for the Core 5 330 places it clearly above in the overall CPU landscape. The average benchmark score of 56004 versus 18345 means the Core i9-14900HX delivers roughly three times the aggregate performance.

For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, the choice is unambiguous. The Core i9-14900HX leads by 56% to 79% in compression, integer math, and Cinebench multi-core tests. The 24 cores and 32 threads provide a structural advantage that the 6-core, 6-thread Core 5 330 cannot overcome.

The Core 5 330 does have one meaningful asset: efficiency. Its 15 watt TDP versus 55 watts means it draws far less power. The 3 nm process node also indicates a more modern manufacturing technology. For workloads that are lightly threaded, the single-thread PassMark gap is only 2.1%, so the Core 5 330 is not dramatically slower in everyday tasks that use one or two cores.

The Core i9-14900HX also offers more platform capability. Dual-channel memory, ECC support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, and a larger L3 cache make it the more expandable and capable platform. The unlocked multiplier adds overclocking potential that the Core 5 330 lacks.

Users who prioritize raw performance, heavy multi-threading, and platform features should select the Intel Core i9-14900HX. Users who prioritize power efficiency and modern process technology, and who do not need extreme multi-core performance, may find the Core 5 330 sufficient. The benchmark data, however, does not show a single test where the Core 5 330 wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX wins every multi-core benchmark. In Cinebench R23 multi-core it scores 30055 versus 13150, a 56.2% lead. PassMark integer math shows a 78.9% gap (157375 vs 33258).

Q: How close are the two in single-threaded performance?

A: The closest result is PassMark single-thread at 4088 for the Core 5 330 versus 4175 for the Core i9-14900HX, a 2.1% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 14.9% gap.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel Core i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 330 does not.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 is built on a 3 nm process. The Intel Core i9-14900HX uses a 10 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel.

Q: What is the difference in TDP?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 has a TDP of 15 watts. The Intel Core i9-14900HX has a TDP of 55 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14900HX wins in all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. Its largest advantages are in data compression (73.1%), integer math (78.9%), and Cinebench R15 multi-core (71%). These are workloads that scale with core count, thread count, and cache size. The 32 threads versus 6 threads and 36 MB versus 6 MB of L3 cache provide the structural basis for these wins.

The Core i9-14900HX also wins in data encryption by 66%, extended instructions by 59%, and floating point math by 60.9%. PassMark multithread shows a 64.7% advantage. These results indicate that the Core i9-14900HX is the appropriate choice for content creation, scientific computing, data processing, and any workload that can use more than a few threads.

The Core 5 330 has no benchmark wins in the recorded data. Its closest performance is in PassMark single-thread, where it trails by only 2.1%. This means for tasks like web browsing, office applications, and light coding, the difference is minimal. The Core 5 330 also has a 15 watt TDP, so it generates less heat and may enable thinner, quieter laptop designs compared to the 55 watt Core i9-14900HX.

The Core 5 330 uses a 3 nm process versus 10 nm, indicating a newer manufacturing generation. It also has a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core i9-14900HX has dual-channel support. For users who prioritize battery life and portability over multi-core performance, the Core 5 330 may be the better fit despite losing every benchmark.

The Core i9-14900HX provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, compared to Gen 4 with 6 lanes on the Core 5 330. This makes the Core i9-14900HX better suited for systems with high-end discrete GPUs and fast NVMe storage. The unlocked multiplier on the Core i9-14900HX also supports overclocking, which is not possible on the Core 5 330.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 330 | Intel Core i9-14900HX |

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

| Cores | 6 | 24 |

| Threads | 6 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 5.80 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Raptor Lake-HX |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | Not listed | 257 mm² |

| 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 listed |

| 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 770 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | April 2026 | January 2024 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SAE3G | SRMXF |