Intel Core i3-14100F vs Intel Core i5-14401E Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i3-14100F has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-14100F and the Intel Core i5-14401E support ECC memory.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730. The Intel Core i3-14100F does not have integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

Q: What is the release date for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100F was released on January 7, 2024. The Intel Core i5-14401E was released on June 30, 2024.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100F has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100F has a base clock of 3.50 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i5-14401E's base clock of 2.50 GHz. Both processors share the same 4.70 GHz boost clock.

Architecture Differences

Both processors belong to Intel's Core 14th Gen series and share the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename. They are built on the same 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The die sizes differ notably: the Intel Core i3-14100F measures 163 mm², while the Intel Core i5-14401E measures 215 mm². This larger die reflects the additional cores and cache present in the i5 variant.

The core configurations differ significantly. The i3-14100F uses 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-14401E uses 6 cores and 12 threads. This two-core, four-thread advantage is the primary architectural distinction that drives performance differences across all measured workloads.

Cache hierarchies are similar in structure but differ in capacity. Both processors use 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache differs: the i3-14100F has 12 MB, while the i5-14401E has 20 MB. The larger L3 allocation on the i5 provides additional headroom for workloads that repeatedly access the same data sets.

Both processors use the Intel Socket 1700 and support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. Each offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. ECC memory support is present on both parts. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not available through the multiplier.

Integrated graphics are a key differentiator. The i3-14100F has no integrated graphics, which is why the part number carries the F suffix. The i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730, making it a viable option for systems that need a display output without a discrete GPU.

The production status for both processors is Active. The i3-14100F carries part number SRMX2, while the i5-14401E carries part number Q49JSRNJS.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests, and the Intel Core i5-14401E wins all six. The i3-14100F records zero wins in this comparison.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-14401E scores 1830 against 1318 for the i3-14100F, a difference of 28 percent in favor of the i5. The single-core R15 test shows the same pattern: 258 for the i5 versus 186 for the i3, a 27.9 percent advantage. This near-identical margin across single-core and multicore tests is notable, as it suggests the clock speed and architecture efficiency differences are consistent regardless of thread count.

Cinebench R20 multicore results show the i5-14401E at 7627, while the i3-14100F posts 5495, again a 28 percent gap. The R20 single-core test follows with 1076 for the i5 and 775 for the i3, matching the 28 percent delta observed in the other tests.

Cinebench R23 multicore delivers the largest absolute difference in points. The i5-14401E reaches 18161, while the i3-14100F scores 13084. The percentage gap remains 28 percent. The R23 single-core test shows 2564 for the i5 and 1847 for the i3.

The consistency of the 28 percent delta across all six tests is striking. Whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded, the i5-14401E maintains roughly the same relative advantage over the i3-14100F. This uniformity suggests the performance gap stems from the combination of two additional cores and the larger cache, rather than from a workload-specific advantage.

The i3-14100F also has recorded scores in additional benchmark suites beyond Cinebench. PassMark results include a multithread score of 15420, a single-thread score of 3778, integer math at 45357, floating point math at 35370, and extended instructions at 11984. Data compression scores 176106, data encryption scores 8922, and random string sorting scores 17596. Physics scores 1077, and find prime numbers scores 61. Geekbench results show 7598 multicore and 2105 single-core. The i5-14401E does not have recorded scores for these additional tests in the database, so a direct comparison across those workloads is not possible.

The i3-14100F sits at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 18519. Its nearest rivals are tightly clustered: the Intel Core i5-13420H matches it at 18511, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE trails by 0.1 percent, the Intel Core i3-13100 is 0.8 percent behind, and the Intel Core 7 360 is also 0.8 percent behind. This places the i3-14100F in a competitive position within its own performance class.

The i5-14401E has a 60th percentile ranking and an average benchmark score of 5253. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 at 0.1 percent ahead, the Intel Core i7-11700B at 0.2 percent behind, the Intel Core i9-10850K at 0.2 percent behind, and the Intel Core i5-13400T at 0.8 percent behind. The lower average score and percentile for the i5-14401E reflect the different mix of benchmarks available for that part, not a direct comparison with the i3-14100F.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields.

Core count: the i3-14100F has 4 cores, the i5-14401E has 6 cores.

Thread count: the i3-14100F has 8 threads, the i5-14401E has 12 threads.

Base clock: the i3-14100F runs at 3.50 GHz, the i5-14401E at 2.50 GHz. The boost clock is identical at 4.70 GHz for both.

TDP: the i3-14100F is rated at 58 watts, the i5-14401E at 65 watts.

Die size: the i3-14100F measures 163 mm², the i5-14401E measures 215 mm².

L3 cache: the i3-14100F has 12 MB shared, the i5-14401E has 20 MB shared.

Integrated graphics: the i3-14100F has none, the i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730.

Release date: the i3-14100F launched on January 7, 2024, the i5-14401E on June 30, 2024.

Part number: the i3-14100F is SRMX2, the i5-14401E is Q49JSRNJS.

Launch MSRP: the i3-14100F has a launch MSRP of $109. The i5-14401E has no launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Both processors share the same socket, architecture, process node, foundry, L1 and L2 cache per core, memory support, memory bus, PCIe configuration, ECC support, and unlocked multiplier status. Both are active production parts in the Desktop market segment.

The Verdict

The head-to-head data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i5-14401E outperforms the Intel Core i3-14100F by 28 percent in every Cinebench test recorded, from single-core to multicore, across R15, R20, and R23 versions. The i5-14401E wins all six head-to-head comparisons.

The architectural reasons are clear from the specification sheet. The i5-14401E brings two additional cores and four additional threads, increasing the core count by 50 percent and the thread count by 50 percent relative to the i3-14100F. The L3 cache is 8 MB larger, a 67 percent increase from 12 MB to 20 MB. The larger die size accommodates these additions.

The i3-14100F does hold advantages in certain specification fields. Its base clock of 3.50 GHz is 1 GHz higher than the i5-14401E's 2.50 GHz. Its TDP is lower at 58 watts versus 65 watts, and its smaller die size suggests lower production complexity. The launch MSRP of $109 provides a reference point for its positioning, though the i5-14401E has no recorded launch MSRP for direct comparison.

However, the benchmark results show that the higher base clock of the i3-14100F does not translate into a single-core advantage. The i5-14401E leads in single-core tests by the same 28 percent margin as in multicore tests. This indicates that the i5-14401E's boost behavior and architectural efficiency compensate for its lower base clock, delivering superior performance even in lightly threaded workloads.

Buyers who need integrated graphics have a clear choice. The i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the i3-14100F has no integrated graphics at all. Systems built around the i3-14100F require a discrete GPU for any display output.

The percentile data provides context for each part's standing. The i3-14100F ranks at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, while the i5-14401E ranks at the 60th percentile. These rankings reflect the different benchmark suites available for each part in the database, rather than a direct head-to-head comparison.

For workloads that demand maximum throughput, the recorded data points to the i5-14401E as the stronger processor. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration and larger L3 cache deliver a consistent 28 percent performance advantage across all measured Cinebench workloads. The i3-14100F remains a lower-power, lower-base-clock alternative with the same boost clock and a smaller physical footprint, but the benchmark results do not show any workload where it leads.