Intel Core i3-14100 vs Intel Core i5-14501TE Comparison

FAQ

Q: What are the core and thread counts of the Intel Core i3-14100 and the Intel Core i5-14501TE?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14501TE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speed between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100 boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14501TE boosts higher to 5.10 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-14100 and the Intel Core i5-14501TE support ECC memory.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100 has a TDP of 60 watts, whereas the Intel Core i5-14501TE has a lower TDP of 45 watts.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-14501TE has a shared L3 cache of 24 MB, which is double the 12 MB shared L3 cache found on the Intel Core i3-14100.

Q: What is the market segment for both processors?

A: Both processors are classified under the Desktop market segment.

Architecture Differences

Both processors belong to Intel's Core 14th Gen series and share the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The fundamental architectural distinction lies in the physical configuration: the i3-14100 is a 4-core, 8-thread part, while the i5-14501TE is a 6-core, 12-thread part. This difference in core count directly affects the die size, with the i3-14100 measuring 163 mm² and the i5-14501TE measuring 215 mm².

The cache hierarchy is identical per core: both use 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache, however, scales with the core count, giving the i3-14100 12 MB and the i5-14501TE 24 MB. Clock speeds also differ. The i3-14100 runs a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The i5-14501TE runs a lower base clock of 2.20 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz. This suggests the i5-14501TE is tuned for burst performance while maintaining a lower sustained power envelope.

The integrated graphics units differ as well, with the i3-14100 using UHD Graphics 730 and the i5-14501TE using UHD Graphics 770. Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus, and both feature PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes available from the CPU. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The production status for both is Active, and both use the Intel Socket 1700.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a clear split between the two processors based on workload characteristics. The Intel Core i3-14100 is the only one with benchmark results in the database, and it delivers a strong single-threaded performance profile. Its single-core scores across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and Geekbench are 182, 759, 1809, and 2133 respectively. In multithreaded tasks, it achieves 1292 in Cinebench R15, 5384 in R20, 12820 in R23, and 7231 in Geekbench multicore. The PassMark suite shows a multithread score of 15095 and a single-thread score of 3759.

The Intel Core i5-14501TE has no benchmark entries in the database, so its measured performance cannot be compared directly. What the specifications indicate is a processor with more cores, more threads, double the L3 cache, and a higher boost clock. The base clock is significantly lower at 2.20 GHz, and the TDP is lower at 45 watts compared to 60 watts. This configuration points to a processor designed for efficiency in constrained thermal environments rather than raw sustained throughput.

The i3-14100 sits at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the i5-14501TE sits at the 50th percentile, though this percentile is based on the absence of benchmark data for the i5. The i3-14100 has an average benchmark score of 18318, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core 3 305 at 18302, the Intel Core 5 330 at 18345, the Intel Core 7 360 at 18374, and the Intel Core i3-13100 at 18380. The delta percentages are minimal, ranging from 0.1% above the Core 3 305 to 0.3% below the Core 7 360 and the Core i3-13100.

Users seeking a processor with verified performance data and a higher average benchmark score should select the Intel Core i3-14100. Users requiring a higher core count, larger L3 cache, and lower power consumption should consider the Intel Core i5-14501TE, but they should be aware that its performance data is not yet recorded in the database.

Specification Differences

The core count is the most prominent difference: 4 cores and 8 threads for the i3-14100 versus 6 cores and 12 threads for the i5-14501TE. Clock speeds differ in both directions. The i3-14100 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The i5-14501TE has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz.

Thermal design power differs substantially, with the i3-14100 rated at 60 watts and the i5-14501TE rated at 45 watts. The L3 cache is 12 MB on the i3-14100 and 24 MB on the i5-14501TE. Die size differs at 163 mm² for the i3-14100 and 215 mm² for the i5-14501TE. The integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 on the i3-14100 and UHD Graphics 770 on the i5-14501TE.

The release dates are different, with the i3-14100 released on 2024-01-07 and the i5-14501TE released on 2024-06-30. The i3-14100 carries a launch MSRP of $134, while the i5-14501TE has no launch MSRP recorded. The part numbers differ: SRMX1 for the i3-14100 and Q49KSRNJN for the i5-14501TE. The market segment, socket, architecture, process node, memory support, memory bus, ECC support, PCIe configuration, and multiplier lock status are identical between the two.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

There are no head-to-head benchmark entries in the database for these two processors, so a direct benchmark comparison is not available. The Intel Core i5-14501TE has an empty benchmark array, while the Intel Core i3-14100 has a full set of scores. The i3-14100's performance relative to its nearest rivals provides some context. Its average benchmark score of 18318 places it 0.1% above the Intel Core 3 305, 0.1% below the Intel Core 5 330, 0.3% below the Intel Core 7 360, and 0.3% below the Intel Core i3-13100.

Within its own benchmark suite, the i3-14100 shows a balanced profile. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 12820 is roughly 7.1 times its single-core score of 1809, which is reasonable for a 4-core, 8-thread processor. The Geekbench scores show a similar ratio: 7231 multicore versus 2133 single-core, a factor of about 3.4. PassMark results show a multithread score of 15095, which is about 4 times the single-thread score of 3759.

The absence of benchmark data for the i5-14501TE means the head-to-head comparison is limited to specification-based inference. The higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz versus 4.70 GHz suggests a potential single-thread advantage, but this cannot be confirmed without measurements. The larger L3 cache and additional cores suggest a potential multithread advantage, but again, no recorded scores exist to verify this.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-14100 wins in verified performance. The database contains complete benchmark results for this processor, and its average benchmark score of 18318 places it in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. The single-thread scores are strong: 3759 in PassMark single-thread, 2133 in Geekbench single-core, and 1809 in Cinebench R23 single-core. These figures indicate a processor that handles lightly threaded workloads effectively, such as everyday desktop tasks and applications that rely on per-core speed.

The Intel Core i5-14501TE wins in specifications that suggest efficiency and parallel capacity. Its 6 cores and 12 threads provide 50% more cores and 50% more threads than the i3-14100. Its L3 cache of 24 MB is double that of the i3-14100. Its TDP of 45 watts is 25% lower than the i3-14100's 60 watts, indicating a design aimed at power-sensitive systems. The higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz also suggests that for short bursts, the i5-14501TE could potentially outperform the i3-14100 in single-threaded scenarios, though this remains unverified in the database.

The i3-14100 has a release date advantage, having been available since January 2024, while the i5-14501TE arrived in June 2024. The i3-14100 also has a recorded launch MSRP of $134, while no launch MSRP exists for the i5-14501TE. The i5-14501TE carries the newer integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 770. The i3-14100 offers a higher base clock, which benefits sustained workloads that do not rely on boost behavior.

The data indicates that the i3-14100 is the processor with proven results, while the i5-14501TE is a processor whose specifications point toward a different design goal: more cores, more cache, lower power draw, and a higher ceiling for short bursts of activity. Without benchmark scores for the i5-14501TE, the database cannot confirm whether those specifications translate into real-world performance advantages. The i3-14100 remains the only one of the two with measured scores, and those scores place it among the 72nd percentile of all CPUs.