Intel Core i5-14400 vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

The Intel Core i5-14400 and Intel Core i5-14490F are both 10-core, 16-thread desktop processors from Intel's Core 14th Gen series, built on the Raptor Lake architecture and the Raptor Lake-R codename. Both use the Intel Socket 1700, are manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node, and share a die size of 215 mm². The data, however, shows a clear performance hierarchy: the i5-14490F wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, with no test going to the i5-14400. The i5-14490F also holds a higher position in the database's percentile ranking, sitting at the 86th percentile versus the i5-14400's 82nd percentile, and its average benchmark score of 38149 is substantially above the i5-14400's 32115.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark records show a complete sweep for the Intel Core i5-14490F across every workload category. None of the 17 head-to-head tests favor the i5-14400, meaning the i5-14490F delivers superior results in single-threaded tasks, multi-threaded rendering, and specialized math workloads. The largest gap appears in the PassMark physics test, where the i5-14490F scores 2093 against the i5-14400's 1396, a delta of 33.3%. Similarly, the PassMark find prime numbers test shows a 34.4% advantage for the i5-14490F, scoring 122 versus 80. These two tests highlight the i5-14490F's strength in integer-heavy and simulation-style workloads.

The i5-14490F also leads in multi-threaded productivity. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 23000 compared to the i5-14400's 21315, a 7.3% margin. The PassMark multithread test shows a larger 12.5% difference, with scores of 28662 and 25080 respectively. Data compression and encryption workloads follow the same pattern: the i5-14490F records 340026 in data compression versus 314995, and 18225 in data encryption versus 16731. The i5-14400's only relative strength is that its lower scores are still competitive with other processors in its class, but against the i5-14490F specifically, it does not win any category.

The i5-14400 does hold a place in the database's rival comparisons. Its average benchmark score of 32115 places it within 0.3% of the Intel Core i9-11900, which scores 32226, and it is effectively tied with the Intel Core i7-12800H at 32121. The i5-14490F, by contrast, sits alongside the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T, which scores 38194, a 0.1% difference, and the Intel Core i5-13600KF at 38103, a 0.1% difference. This indicates the i5-14490F operates in a higher performance tier, closer to older K-series parts, while the i5-14400 matches mobile H-series chips.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward choice for users who prioritize raw performance: the Intel Core i5-14490F is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock, compared to the i5-14400's 4.70 GHz, contributes to consistent single-thread wins, including a 3.4% lead in PassMark single-thread (3873 versus 3741) and a 7.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core (3247 versus 3009). For multi-threaded rendering, the i5-14490F's 23000 in Cinebench R23 multi-core is 7.3% ahead of the i5-14400's 21315, and the gap widens in PassMark multithread to 12.5%.

The i5-14400 is not without merit. It includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, while the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A). This makes the i5-14400 suitable for systems without a discrete GPU. The i5-14400 also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the i5-14490F. These are functional differences, not performance advantages. For a user building a desktop with a dedicated graphics card and no need for ECC, the i5-14490F's benchmark dominance is decisive. The i5-14400's launch MSRP is $221, but the i5-14490F has no recorded launch MSRP in the database, so price comparison is not possible from the data.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the verdict. The i5-14490F's 38149 average is 18.8% higher than the i5-14400's 32115. The i5-14490F also ranks at the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-14400 ranks at the 82nd. In the nearest rival comparisons, the i5-14490F matches the Intel Core i5-13600KF (delta 0.1%), a chip from the previous generation with an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i5-14400 matches the Intel Core i7-12800H (delta 0%), a mobile part. This positions the i5-14490F as the clear choice for desktop performance, with the i5-14400 serving a niche role for ECC or integrated graphics requirements.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a uniform 7.3% advantage for the i5-14490F across all four tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-14490F scores 2318 against 2148, and in single-core it scores 327 against 303. Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern: 9660 versus 8952 multi-core, and 1363 versus 1263 single-core. Cinebench R23 delivers 23000 versus 21315 multi-core and 3247 versus 3009 single-core. This consistency suggests the i5-14490F's higher boost clock benefits both lightly threaded and heavily threaded workloads equally.

The PassMark tests reveal more varied margins. The smallest difference is in single-threaded performance, where the i5-14490F leads by 3.4% with 3873 versus 3741. Integer math shows a 6.6% gap (87844 versus 82017), and data compression is 7.4% ahead (340026 versus 314995). Floating point math scores 66558 against 61549, a 7.5% lead. Extended instructions show an 8.8% difference (21731 versus 19816), and random string sorting is 9.2% ahead (35608 versus 32346). Data encryption records the second-smallest margin at 8.2% (18225 versus 16731).

The two largest gaps are notable outliers. PassMark physics shows the i5-14490F scoring 2093 against 1396, a 33.3% difference. PassMark find prime numbers shows 122 against 80, a 34.4% difference. These tests are sensitive to core efficiency and cache behavior. The i5-14490F has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-14400 has 20 MB, a 4 MB difference that likely contributes to these outsized wins. The PassMark multithread test also shows a double-digit gap at 12.5%, with scores of 28662 and 25080.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14400 has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. Both have the same 2.50 GHz base clock.

Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?

A: No, not both. The Intel Core i5-14400 includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Intel Core i5-14490F has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A in the database.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-14400 has 20 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-14400 supports ECC memory (true), while the Intel Core i5-14490F does not support ECC memory (false).

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F has an average benchmark score of 38149, which is higher than the Intel Core i5-14400's average benchmark score of 32115. The i5-14490F also ranks at the 86th percentile of all CPUs, versus the 82nd percentile for the i5-14400.

Q: What is the release date for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-14400 was released on 2024-01-07, and the Intel Core i5-14490F was released on 2023-12-31, according to the recorded dates.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Raptor Lake, codename Raptor Lake-R, on a 10 nm process node from Intel. They have identical core counts (10 cores, 16 threads), identical die size (215 mm²), and identical memory support for DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus. Both use Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes (CPU only) and are socketed for Intel Socket 1700. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The primary architectural difference is the L3 cache. The i5-14490F has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, which is 4 MB more than the i5-14400's 20 MB. This additional cache is the most likely explanation for the larger performance gaps in cache-sensitive tests like PassMark physics (33.3% lead) and find prime numbers (34.4% lead). The boost clock also differs: the i5-14490F reaches 5.00 GHz, while the i5-14400 tops out at 4.70 GHz. Both have a TDP of 65 watts and the same 2.50 GHz base clock.

Feature support diverges in two areas. The i5-14400 includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, making it a self-contained solution for basic display output. The i5-14490F has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. ECC memory support is present on the i5-14400 but absent on the i5-14490F. The i5-14400 has a recorded launch MSRP of $221, while the i5-14490F has no launch MSRP in the database. Production status for both is listed as Active, and both are desktop market segment parts. The part numbers are SRN3QSRN46 for the i5-14400 and SRN35 for the i5-14490F.