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

FAQ

Q: Which processor delivers higher multi-threaded performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E scores 18,161 points versus 11,612 points for the Intel Core i3-14100T, a 36.1% advantage in this multi-core workload.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core Cinebench R20?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E achieves 1,076 points, while the Intel Core i3-14100T records 688 points. The i5 leads by 36.1% in this test.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

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

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-14100T and the Intel Core i5-14401E list ECC memory support as true.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

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

Q: What is the release date difference between the two?

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

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, using a 10 nm process node from Intel's foundry. They share the same Intel Socket 1700 and belong to the Core 14th Gen series, with the i3 being a Raptor Lake Refresh part and the i5 also being a Raptor Lake Refresh part.

The core configuration is the most significant architectural split. The Intel Core i3-14100T provides 4 cores and 8 threads, whereas the Intel Core i5-14401E doubles the core count to 6 cores and 12 threads. This directly affects the L3 cache allocation: the i3 has 12 MB shared, while the i5 has 20 MB shared. Both parts use identical per-core L1 (80 KB per core) and L2 (1.25 MB per core) caches.

Clock speeds differ notably. The i3-14100T has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The i5-14401E starts lower at 2.50 GHz base but boosts higher to 4.70 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) also differs: the i3 is rated at 35 watts, while the i5 is rated at 65 watts.

Both chips use the same integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and provide PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The die size differs, with the i3 measuring 163 mm² and the i5 measuring 215 mm², reflecting the additional cores and cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Across all six recorded Cinebench comparisons, the Intel Core i5-14401E wins every test. The margin is consistent at 36.1% in five of the six tests, with a slightly smaller 36.0% gap in Cinebench R15 single-core.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-14401E scores 1,830 versus 1,170 for the i3-14100T. The single-core R15 test shows 258 versus 165, a 36% difference. Cinebench R20 multi-core results are 7,627 for the i5 and 4,877 for the i3, and single-core R20 shows 1,076 versus 688. The most demanding workload, Cinebench R23 multi-core, produces 18,161 points for the i5 and 11,612 for the i3, while R23 single-core shows 2,564 versus 1,639.

The data indicates a uniform performance advantage for the i5-14401E across both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering workloads. The i3-14100T does not record a single win in any head-to-head benchmark, confirming a clear performance hierarchy between the two parts.

The i5-14401E also holds a higher overall percentile rank in the database at 60 versus 71 for the i3-14100T. However, the average benchmark score tells a different story: the i3-14100T averages 17,648 points across its full benchmark suite, while the i5-14401E averages only 5,253 points, because the i5's recorded data set is limited to Cinebench tests.

The Verdict

The benchmark evidence is unambiguous. The Intel Core i5-14401E outperforms the Intel Core i3-14100T in every measured workload, with a consistent 36.1% lead in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core and single-core tests. The i5's additional cores and threads, combined with a higher boost clock and larger L3 cache, produce a substantial performance advantage across the board.

For workloads that rely heavily on multi-threaded rendering, the i5-14401E is the stronger choice by a wide margin. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, paired with 20 MB of L3 cache, deliver 18,161 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core, compared to 11,612 for the i3. This represents a significant improvement for content creation and CPU-bound tasks.

For single-threaded performance, the i5-14401E also leads, scoring 2,564 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 1,639 for the i3. The higher 4.70 GHz boost clock on the i5 explains this edge, despite its lower 2.50 GHz base clock.

The i3-14100T does offer a lower 35-watt TDP, which may suit constrained thermal environments, and its smaller die size (163 mm² versus 215 mm²) suggests lower manufacturing complexity. However, the performance data shows no workload where the i3 wins.

The i5-14401E's release date of June 30, 2024, is later than the i3's January 7, 2024, but both are active production parts. The i3 has a launch MSRP of $134, while the i5 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following recorded specifications:

• Cores: The i3-14100T has 4 cores; the i5-14401E has 6 cores.
• Threads: The i3-14100T has 8 threads; the i5-14401E has 12 threads.
• Base Clock: The i3-14100T runs at 2.70 GHz; the i5-14401E runs at 2.50 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The i3-14100T boosts to 4.40 GHz; the i5-14401E boosts to 4.70 GHz.
• TDP: The i3-14100T is rated at 35 watts; the i5-14401E is rated at 65 watts.
• Die Size: The i3-14100T measures 163 mm²; the i5-14401E measures 215 mm².
• L3 Cache: The i3-14100T has 12 MB shared; the i5-14401E has 20 MB shared.
• Release Date: The i3-14100T was released on 2024-01-07; the i5-14401E on 2024-06-30.
• Launch MSRP: The i3-14100T has a launch MSRP of $134; the i5-14401E has none recorded.
• Part Number: The i3-14100T is SRMX0; the i5-14401E is Q49JSRNJS.

Shared specifications include the Intel Socket 1700, Raptor Lake architecture, 10 nm process node, 80 KB per-core L1 cache, 1.25 MB per-core L2 cache, DDR4/DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, UHD Graphics 730, desktop market segment, active production status, and locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14401E wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. In multi-threaded workloads, it leads by 36.1% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, making it the clear choice for rendering, video encoding, and other parallel tasks. The 6-core, 12-thread configuration with 20 MB of L3 cache provides the resources needed for demanding productivity applications.

In single-threaded tests, the i5-14401E also wins, with a 36.0% margin in Cinebench R15 single-core and 36.1% in R20 and R23 single-core. The 4.70 GHz boost clock gives it a decisive edge in lightly threaded applications, despite its lower base clock.

The Intel Core i3-14100T has no benchmark wins. Its advantages are structural rather than performance-based: a lower 35-watt TDP makes it suitable for power-constrained builds, and its earlier release date and recorded launch MSRP of $134 provide reference points for procurement. The i3 also has a higher percentile rank against all CPUs (71 versus 60), though this reflects the broader benchmark set used for the i3, including PassMark tests, rather than direct head-to-head superiority.

For users with workloads that depend on Cinebench-class rendering performance, the i5-14401E is the only viable option based on the data. The i3-14100T's role is limited to scenarios where its lower power envelope is prioritized over computational throughput. The recorded data offers no scenario where the i3-14100T outperforms the i5-14401E.