Intel Core i3-14100 vs Intel Core i9-14901KE Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two processors along clear workload lines. The Intel Core i3-14100 is the only one of the pair with recorded performance measurements. It delivers 18,318 as its average benchmark score, landing in the 72nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core i9-14901KE has no recorded benchmark scores, an average score of 0, and sits in the 50th percentile. That means every numerical comparison in this analysis relies on the i3-14100’s measured results, while the i9-14901KE’s standing is defined by its absence of data rather than by any competing scores.

For single-threaded work, the i3-14100 shows strong results. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 1,809, its Geekbench single-core score is 2,133, and its Passmark single-thread score is 3,759. These numbers indicate that the 4-core, 8-thread chip handles lightly threaded tasks such as legacy applications, responsive desktop interaction, and older games with solid efficiency. The i9-14901KE, with its 8 cores and 16 threads, would logically target heavier multi-threaded workloads, but the database contains no scores to confirm that expectation.

Multi-threaded performance is where the i3-14100’s measured data shines. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 12,820, while Cinebench R20 multi-core reaches 5,384 and Cinebench R15 multi-core reaches 1,292. The Passmark multithread score is 15,095. These results place the i3-14100 ahead of its nearest rivals in the database. It leads the Intel Core 3 305 by 0.1% in average score, trails the Intel Core 5 330 by 0.1%, trails the Intel Core 7 360 by 0.3%, and trails the Intel Core i3-13100 by 0.3%. The differences are tiny, suggesting the i3-14100 sits at parity with those chips in aggregate performance.

Specialized math workloads reveal where the i3-14100 excels. Its Passmark integer math score is 45,329, and its floating point math score is 35,266. The extended instructions score is 11,865, and the data encryption score is 8,838. Data compression reaches 174,115, while random string sorting hits 17,397. Find prime numbers scores 55. The physics score is 958. These figures indicate a processor that handles integer-heavy tasks, encryption workloads, and data compression routines competently for its class.

The i9-14901KE has no wins recorded in the database. The winsA field for the i3-14100 is 0, and winsB for the i9-14901KE is 0, meaning the head-to-head benchmark array is empty. No direct comparison scores exist. The i9-14901KE’s advantage, if any, would come from its higher core count, higher base clock of 3.80 GHz, higher boost clock of 5.80 GHz, and larger cache, but none of those translate into recorded benchmark victories.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental design lineage. They are Intel parts from the Core 14th Gen series, built on the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename. Both use a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel, both fit the Intel Socket 1700, and both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. Both also feature PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and both support ECC memory.

The core counts diverge sharply. The i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i9-14901KE has 8 cores and 16 threads. That doubling of cores and threads is the most significant architectural difference. The i9-14901KE also runs higher clocks: its base clock is 3.80 GHz versus 3.50 GHz for the i3-14100, and its boost clock is 5.80 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. The i9-14901KE carries a 125 TDP, while the i3-14100 has a 60 TDP, reflecting the larger power envelope required for the extra cores and higher clocks.

Cache hierarchies differ in size. Both allocate 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache per core is 1.25 MB on the i3-14100 and 2 MB on the i9-14901KE. The shared L3 cache is 12 MB on the i3-14100 and 36 MB on the i9-14901KE. The die size also differs: the i3-14100 measures 163 mm², while the i9-14901KE measures 257 mm². The larger die on the i9-14901KE accommodates the additional cores and cache.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-14100 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the i9-14901KE uses UHD Graphics 770. Both are integrated solutions, but the i9-14901KE’s part is a higher-tier variant. The multiplier is locked on the i3-14100, while the i9-14901KE has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking. Their release dates differ: the i3-14100 launched on January 7, 2024, and the i9-14901KE launched on June 30, 2024. The i3-14100 has a launch MSRP of $134; the i9-14901KE has no launch MSRP recorded in the database. The part numbers are SRMX1 for the i3-14100 and Q49DSRNJC for the i9-14901KE.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901KE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two?

A: The i9-14901KE boosts to 5.80 GHz, while the i3-14100 boosts to 4.70 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i9-14901KE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-14100 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Are there benchmark scores for the i9-14901KE?

A: No, the database records no benchmark scores for the i9-14901KE. Its average benchmark score is 0, and it has no nearest rivals listed.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked on either processor?

A: The i9-14901KE has an unlocked multiplier, while the i3-14100 has a locked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several specification fields. The i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads; the i9-14901KE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The base clock is 3.50 GHz on the i3-14100 and 3.80 GHz on the i9-14901KE. The boost clock is 4.70 GHz on the i3-14100 and 5.80 GHz on the i9-14901KE. The TDP is 60 on the i3-14100 and 125 on the i9-14901KE. The die size is 163 mm² on the i3-14100 and 257 mm² on the i9-14901KE. L2 cache per core is 1.25 MB on the i3-14100 and 2 MB on the i9-14901KE. L3 cache is 12 MB shared on the i3-14100 and 36 MB shared on the i9-14901KE. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 on the i3-14100 and UHD Graphics 770 on the i9-14901KE. The multiplier is locked on the i3-14100 and unlocked on the i9-14901KE. Release dates are January 7, 2024 for the i3-14100 and June 30, 2024 for the i9-14901KE. The i3-14100 has a launch MSRP of $134, while the i9-14901KE has none recorded. Part numbers are SRMX1 for the i3-14100 and Q49DSRNJC for the i9-14901KE.

Fields that are identical include the series (Core 14th Gen), manufacturer (Intel), socket (Intel Socket 1700), architecture (Raptor Lake), codename (Raptor Lake-R), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (80 KB per core), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (Dual-channel), ECC memory support (true), PCIe configuration (Gen 5, 16 Lanes CPU only), market segment (Desktop), and production status (Active).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark array in the database is empty. There are no direct comparison scores between the Intel Core i3-14100 and the Intel Core i9-14901KE. The winsA and winsB fields are both 0. As a result, the only meaningful benchmark analysis comes from the i3-14100’s standalone measurements.

The i3-14100’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 12,820 is its highest multi-threaded result in the Cinebench family, followed by Cinebench R20 at 5,384 and Cinebench R15 at 1,292. In single-core Cinebench tests, the scores are 1,809 for R23, 759 for R20, and 182 for R15. These numbers show a consistent scaling pattern across Cinebench versions, with the multi-core scores roughly seven times the single-core scores in each case, which aligns with the 8 threads available on the i3-14100.

Geekbench results show a multi-core score of 7,231 and a single-core score of 2,133. The ratio between multi-core and single-core is approximately 3.4, reflecting the thread count and the scaling efficiency of the workload. Passmark results are more varied. The single-thread score is 3,759, and the multithread score is 15,095. Integer math scores 45,329, while floating point math scores 35,266. Data encryption scores 8,838, and data compression scores 174,115. Extended instructions score 11,865, random string sorting scores 17,397, find prime numbers scores 55, and physics scores 958.

Relative to its nearest rivals in the database, the i3-14100’s average score of 18,318 places it essentially at parity with the Intel Core 3 305, which has an average score of 18,302 and a delta of 0.1%. The Intel Core 5 330 sits at 18,345 with a delta of -0.1%, meaning it edges the i3-14100 by a tenth of a percent. The Intel Core 7 360 and the Intel Core i3-13100 both have average scores of 18,374 and 18,380 respectively, with deltas of -0.3% each. These margins are within noise, indicating that the i3-14100 delivers aggregate performance equivalent to those four chips.

The i9-14901KE has no comparable measurements. Its percentile rank of 50 is the default baseline, and its average benchmark score of 0 reflects the absence of data. Without recorded scores, the database cannot confirm any performance advantage for the i9-14901KE despite its higher core count, higher clocks, and larger cache. The i3-14100, by contrast, has a fully populated benchmark profile across Cinebench, Geekbench, and Passmark tests, giving it a verified performance footprint. The database records no head-to-head wins for either processor, so the i9-14901KE’s potential remains unquantified.