Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core i5-14400 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a decisive result: the Intel Core 7 251TE wins 14 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-14400 takes only 3. The average benchmark score reinforces this gap, with the Core 7 251TE at 41650 against 32115 for the i5-14400, a difference of roughly 30% in the aggregate.

The largest margin of victory for the Core 7 251TE comes in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where it scores 140 versus 80, a 75% lead. PassMark integer math also shows a massive gap: 125739 versus 82017, a 53.3% advantage. Floating point math follows closely, with the Core 7 251TE scoring 85607 against 61549, a 39.1% lead. Data encryption shows a 32.5% gap (22176 versus 16731), and physics simulation shows a 38.8% lead (1938 versus 1396). Random string sorting goes to the Core 7 251TE by 22.6% (39643 versus 32346).

The Cinebench suite is remarkably consistent. Across R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core, the Core 7 251TE wins every test by exactly 19.7%, except for R15 single-core which shows a 19.5% lead. Specific scores include Cinebench R23 multi-core at 25518 versus 21315, and Cinebench R23 single-core at 3602 versus 3009. PassMark multithread also lands at a 19.7% lead for the Core 7 251TE, with scores of 30022 and 25080.

The i5-14400 secures its wins in two specific areas. PassMark single thread (and the duplicate singlethread entry) shows 3741 versus 3568, a 4.6% advantage for the i5-14400. The other win is in PassMark extended instructions, where the i5-14400 scores 19816 against 16974, a 14.3% lead. PassMark data compression is close, but the Core 7 251TE still wins at 334399 versus 314995, a 6.2% margin.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 7 251TE dominates virtually every heavily threaded workload category. Data encryption, integer math, floating point math, physics simulation, and prime number finding all show leads between 32.5% and 75%. These results indicate a processor built for parallel throughput. The consistent 19.7% margins across all Cinebench versions, both single and multi-core, suggest a uniform architecture advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The i5-14400 has a narrow but real edge in single-threaded PassMark scoring, at 4.6% ahead. It also holds a substantial 14.3% lead in extended instruction throughput, which typically reflects SIMD-heavy code paths. Data compression, while a loss for the i5-14400, is its closest multi-core result at only 6.2% behind, indicating that compression workloads do not scale as well with the Core 7 251TE's extra cores.

For users running encryption, scientific math, physics, or any integer-heavy parallel task, the Core 7 251TE is the clear choice from the data. For workloads that depend on advanced instruction sets or highly latency-sensitive single-threaded execution, the i5-14400 shows measurable strengths, though its overall average score remains far lower.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same Intel Socket 1700, the same 10 nm process node, the same 215 mm² die size, and the same foundry. Both use DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel support, and both support ECC memory. The PCIe implementation is identical: Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The core configuration diverges sharply. The Core 7 251TE uses 24 cores and 32 threads, built on the Bartlett Lake codename. The i5-14400 uses 10 cores and 16 threads, based on the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename. The generation field lists the Core 7 251TE as "Core 7 (Bartlett Lake)" and the i5-14400 as "Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh)".

Cache hierarchies differ in the L3 segment. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core. The Core 7 251TE carries 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-14400 has 20 MB of shared L3. This 16 MB difference in shared cache is substantial and likely contributes to the Core 7 251TE's lead in multi-threaded throughput.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 7 251TE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the i5-14400 uses UHD Graphics 730. Both are integrated solutions, but the 770 series is positioned higher in Intel's graphics stack. The release dates differ by roughly one year: the i5-14400 launched in January 2024, and the Core 7 251TE in January 2025.

Specification Differences

The base clock differs notably: the Core 7 251TE runs at 1.40 GHz, while the i5-14400 runs at 2.50 GHz. Boost clocks reverse that order, with the Core 7 251TE reaching 5.40 GHz and the i5-14400 reaching 4.70 GHz. The aggressive boost curve of the Core 7 251TE explains how it can win single-core Cinebench tests despite a much lower base clock.

Thermal design power differs as well. The Core 7 251TE has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i5-14400 has a TDP of 65 watts. The Core 7 251TE delivers higher performance across most benchmarks while consuming a lower rated TDP, which points to a more efficient core design or a more conservative base frequency strategy.

Memory bandwidth is listed for the Core 7 251TE at 89.6 GB/s, while the i5-14400 has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. Both support dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5.

The launch MSRP differs substantially: the Core 7 251TE carries a launch MSRP of $384, while the i5-14400 carries a launch MSRP of $221. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking headroom is limited for both. The part numbers are SRQAXQ5ZG for the Core 7 251TE and SRN3QSRN46 for the i5-14400.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 7 251TE scores 25518 versus 21315 for the i5-14400, a 19.7% lead. In single-core, the Core 7 251TE scores 3602 versus 3009, also a 19.7% lead.

Q: In which benchmark does the i5-14400 win by the largest margin?

A: The i5-14400 wins PassMark extended instructions by 14.3%, scoring 19816 versus 16974. It also wins PassMark single thread by 4.6%, scoring 3741 versus 3568.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory buses. Both also support ECC memory.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache capacity?

A: The Core 7 251TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-14400 has 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core 7 251TE has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The i5-14400 has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a clear hierarchy. The Intel Core 7 251TE wins 14 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks and holds an average benchmark score of 41650, placing it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i5-14400 averages 32115 and sits in the 82nd percentile. The Core 7 251TE delivers a 19.7% lead across all Cinebench tests, a 53.3% lead in integer math, a 39.1% lead in floating point math, and a 75% lead in prime number finding.

The i5-14400 has specific strengths in extended instructions and single-threaded PassMark performance, but those wins do not offset the broad multi-threaded dominance of the Core 7 251TE. The i5-14400 also has a lower launch MSRP and a higher base clock, but the Core 7 251TE counters with a higher boost clock, more than double the cores, 16 MB more L3 cache, a lower TDP, and a more capable integrated GPU.

The database indicates that buyers seeking maximum parallel throughput, encryption performance, or scientific computing capability should select the Core 7 251TE. Buyers prioritizing the extended instruction set performance or the narrow single-threaded PassMark advantage may consider the i5-14400, but the overall average score gap of roughly 30% makes the Core 7 251TE the stronger processor in the majority of measured scenarios.