Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core i5-14401E Comparison

Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core i5-14401E: a comparison of two Intel Socket 1700 desktop processors that reveals a clear performance hierarchy, with the Core 7 251TE dominating in every measured benchmark while consuming less power on paper.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The Core 7 251TE leads by 40.5% in every multi-core Cinebench test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 25518 versus 18161 for the i5-14401E.

Q: How does single-core performance compare?

A: The Core 7 251TE wins all single-core tests by 40.3% to 40.5%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 3602 versus 2564 for the i5-14401E.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE boosts to 5.40 GHz, compared to 4.70 GHz for the Intel Core i5-14401E.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Core 7 251TE and the Core i5-14401E support ECC memory.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The Core 7 251TE has an average benchmark score of 41650, while the i5-14401E averages 5253, a substantial multi-threaded advantage for the former.

The Verdict

The recorded data is unambiguous: the Intel Core 7 251TE outperforms the Intel Core i5-14401E in every single benchmark category captured in the database. Across all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, the Core 7 251TE wins with delta percentages between 40.3% and 40.5%. This is not a marginal victory; it is a consistent, category-wide sweep. The Core 7 251TE also ranks in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, whereas the i5-14401E sits at the 60th percentile.

Users requiring maximum multi-threaded throughput for rendering, compilation, or heavy parallel workloads should select the Core 7 251TE. Its 24 cores and 32 threads provide a massive parallel advantage over the 6-core, 12-thread i5-14401E. Users with more modest workloads, such as single-threaded applications or lighter tasks, will find the i5-14401E adequate, but the data indicates it is slower in every measured aspect, including single-core tests. The i5-14401E does have a lower launch footprint in terms of TDP on paper at 65 watts versus 45 watts for the Core 7 251TE, but that does not translate into a performance win. The verdict from the database is clear: the Core 7 251TE is the superior processor across all benchmarked metrics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core 7 251TE. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 251TE scores 2572 against 1830 for the i5-14401E, a 40.5% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: 362 versus 258, a 40.3% lead for the 251TE.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core test has the 251TE at 10717 and the i5-14401E at 7627, again a 40.5% delta. The single-core R20 test shows 1512 versus 1076, a 40.5% win for the 251TE. Cinebench R23 multi-core delivers the largest absolute gap: 25518 for the 251TE versus 18161 for the i5-14401E, a 40.5% difference. The R23 single-core test rounds out the set with 3602 versus 2564, another 40.5% margin.

The i5-14401E has no benchmark wins in the head-to-head comparison. Every recorded test, from R15 through R23, in both multi-core and single-core variants, favors the Core 7 251TE. The consistency of the 40.5% delta across all tests indicates a fundamental architectural and core-count advantage rather than a benchmark-specific anomaly.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ significantly in their core and thread counts. The Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks also differ: the 251TE runs at 1.40 GHz base and 5.40 GHz boost, whereas the i5-14401E runs at 2.50 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. The higher base clock of the i5-14401E does not compensate for the 251TE's higher boost and far greater core count in the benchmark results.

The L3 cache differs substantially. The Core 7 251TE has 36 MB shared L3 cache, while the i5-14401E has 20 MB shared L3. Both processors have the same per-core L1 cache at 80 KB and per-core L2 cache at 1.25 MB. The TDP figures differ as well: the 251TE is rated at 45 watts, and the i5-14401E at 65 watts. The integrated graphics differ, with the 251TE featuring UHD Graphics 770 and the i5-14401E featuring UHD Graphics 730. The Core 7 251TE has a launch MSRP of $384; the i5-14401E has no recorded launch MSRP. Both use the Intel Socket 1700, support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and share the same PCIe configuration of Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both have locked multipliers, and both support ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The Core 7 251TE is built on the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 7 generation. The i5-14401E uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename and belongs to the Core 14th Gen and Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. Both are fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel, and both have a die size of 215 mm².

The architectural divergence is most visible in core count and cache hierarchy. The 251TE packs 24 cores and 32 threads into the same 215 mm² die as the 6-core, 12-thread i5-14401E. The shared L3 cache on the 251TE is 36 MB, nearly double the 20 MB on the i5-14401E. The memory bandwidth for the 251TE is rated at 89.6 GB/s, while the i5-14401E has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. Both support the same memory types, DDR4 and DDR5, in dual-channel mode. The integrated graphics differ, with the 251TE using UHD Graphics 770 and the i5-14401E using UHD Graphics 730. The release dates differ, with the 251TE released in January 2025 and the i5-14401E in June 2024.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 251TE wins in every benchmark category recorded. It dominates multi-core workloads, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25518 versus 18161 for the i5-14401E. It also wins in single-core tests, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3602 versus 2564. The 251TE's 24 cores and 32 threads make it the clear choice for heavily parallel tasks such as video rendering, 3D modeling, code compilation, and scientific computing. Its larger 36 MB L3 cache and higher 5.40 GHz boost clock support both multi-threaded and single-threaded responsiveness.

The Intel Core i5-14401E, while losing all benchmark comparisons, still holds a position in the 60th percentile of all CPUs. Its 6 cores and 12 threads with a 2.50 GHz base clock and 4.70 GHz boost are sufficient for general desktop use, office productivity, and lighter single-threaded applications. Its 20 MB L3 cache is smaller but adequate for less demanding workloads. The i5-14401E also has a lower core count, which may result in simpler thermal management in lightly threaded scenarios, though its 65 watt TDP is higher than the 251TE's 45 watt rating. The data does not show any workload where the i5-14401E outperforms the 251TE, so its role is limited to scenarios where the full parallel capability of the 251TE is unnecessary.