Intel Core i5-14400 vs Intel Core i9-14901TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-14400 and Intel Core i9-14901TE present a unique comparison challenge because the database contains comprehensive benchmark results for the i5-14400, while the i9-14901TE has no recorded benchmark scores. The i5-14400 has an average benchmark score of 32115, placing it at the 82nd percentile of all CPUs tracked in the database. The i9-14901TE holds a 50th percentile ranking, though its average benchmark score is recorded as 0, indicating that no performance measurements have been completed for this part.

Without head-to-head benchmark data for the i9-14901TE, the comparison must rely on the architectural specifications and the i5-14400's measured performance against its nearest rivals. The i5-14400's closest competitor in the database is the Intel Core i7-12800H, which averages 32121 points, a negligible 0 percent difference. The i7-13705H sits 0.1 percent behind the i5-14400 with an average score of 32076, while the i5-14450HX trails by 0.2 percent at 32040. The i9-11900 leads the i5-14400 by 0.3 percent with a score of 32226. These figures show that the i5-14400 performs at the level of a high-end mobile i7 and a previous-generation desktop i9, with all four rivals within a narrow 0.3 percent band.

The recorded benchmarks for the i5-14400 show a strong balanced profile. In Cinebench R23, it scores 21315 points in multi-core and 3009 in single-core. Its Cinebench R20 results are 8952 multi-core and 1263 single-core, while Cinebench R15 shows 2148 multi-core and 303 single-core. Geekbench results are 9807 multi-core and 1905 single-core. The PassMark suite adds further detail: multithread score of 25080, single-thread score of 3741, integer math at 82017, floating point math at 61549, extended instructions at 19816, data encryption at 16731, data compression at 314995, physics at 1396, random string sorting at 32346, and prime number finding at 80.

The i9-14901TE's lack of benchmark data means it cannot claim a single measured win in this database. Its architectural specifications, however, suggest that its performance profile would differ substantially. The i9-14901TE carries a higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz compared to the i5-14400's 4.70 GHz, which would likely favor the i9 in single-threaded tasks. Conversely, the i5-14400 has 10 cores to the i9's 8, though both parts present 16 threads to the operating system.

Architecture Differences

Both processors belong to Intel's Core 14th Gen series, use the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, and are built on Intel's 10 nm process node at Intel as the foundry. They share the Intel Socket 1700 interface, support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and provide PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both support ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The core configuration differs significantly. The i5-14400 pairs 10 cores with 16 threads, while the i9-14901TE pairs 8 cores with 16 threads. This means the i5-14400 relies on a mix of performance and efficiency cores to reach its thread count, while the i9-14901TE achieves 16 threads from fewer physical cores, indicating a higher proportion of cores with simultaneous multithreading.

Clock speeds favor the i9-14901TE at the top end. The i9 boosts to 5.50 GHz versus 4.70 GHz for the i5, a substantial 0.80 GHz advantage. Base clocks are closer: the i5-14400 runs at 2.50 GHz and the i9-14901TE at 2.30 GHz, a 0.20 GHz difference in the i5's favor. The higher boost clock on the i9 suggests stronger single-threaded responsiveness, while the i5's higher base clock could indicate better sustained performance at lower utilization levels.

Cache hierarchies reveal another major divergence. Both parts use an 80 KB L1 cache per core. The L2 cache per core is 1.25 MB on the i5-14400 and 2 MB on the i9-14901TE, giving the i9 a larger per-core L2 allocation. The L3 cache is shared at 20 MB on the i5-14400 versus 36 MB on the i9-14901TE, a 16 MB advantage for the i9. The larger L3 cache on the i9-14901TE could improve performance in workloads with larger working sets that benefit from more on-die data.

Die size also differs: the i5-14400 measures 215 mm² while the i9-14901TE measures 257 mm². The i9's larger die accommodates its bigger cache pools. Thermal design power moves in the opposite direction: the i5-14400 has a 65 W TDP, while the i9-14901TE has a 45 W TDP. The i9 achieves its higher boost clock and larger caches within a lower power envelope, which suggests a more power-efficient design or a more conservative sustained power profile.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-14400 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the i9-14901TE uses UHD Graphics 770. The i9's newer integrated GPU model provides a potential advantage for display-only workloads or systems without a discrete graphics card.

The i5-14400 was released on January 7, 2024, with a launch MSRP of $221. The i9-14901TE was released on June 30, 2024, and the database does not list a launch MSRP for it. Both processors remain in active production.

Where Each One Wins

For the i5-14400, the recorded data shows wins in multi-threaded throughput. Its 10 cores and 16 threads produce a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21315 and a PassMark multithread score of 25080. These results, combined with its 82nd percentile ranking, indicate that the i5-14400 handles parallel workloads effectively. Its average benchmark score of 32115 places it directly alongside the i7-12800H and i7-13705H, which are established mid-range performers. The i5-14400's higher core count compared to the i9-14901TE suggests it would maintain an advantage in heavily threaded applications, assuming similar instruction efficiency per core.

The i9-14901TE's case rests on its architectural advantages rather than measured results. Its 5.50 GHz boost clock is the highest clock speed between the two processors, which would favor single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads such as older games, spreadsheet calculations, or applications with serial bottlenecks. Its 36 MB L3 cache is nearly double the i5-14400's 20 MB, which could reduce memory latency in cache-sensitive workloads. The 45 W TDP makes the i9-14901TE a lower-power option than the i5-14400's 65 W TDP, which matters for compact systems with limited cooling capacity. The i9-14901TE also carries the UHD Graphics 770, a more capable integrated GPU than the i5-14400's UHD Graphics 730.

The i5-14400's higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 2.30 GHz gives it a slight edge in situations where the processor idles between boost states. Its 10-core configuration provides more physical cores, which can benefit operating systems that schedule threads across physical cores before resorting to simultaneous multithreading.

The absence of benchmark data for the i9-14901TE means the database cannot confirm any performance win for that part. The architectural data indicates where its strengths would appear, but measured verification is pending.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-14400 has 10 cores, while the Intel Core i9-14901TE has 8 cores. Both processors have 16 threads.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds for each processor?

A: The i5-14400 boosts to 4.70 GHz, and the i9-14901TE boosts to 5.50 GHz. The i9-14901TE has a 0.80 GHz higher boost clock.

Q: How much L3 cache does each CPU have?

A: The i5-14400 has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, and the i9-14901TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-14901TE has 16 MB more L3 cache.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The i5-14400 has a 65 W TDP, and the i9-14901TE has a 45 W TDP. The i9-14901TE has a 20 W lower TDP.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both the i5-14400 and the i9-14901TE support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory.

Q: Does the database have benchmark scores for the i9-14901TE?

A: No, the database has no recorded benchmark scores for the i9-14901TE. Its average benchmark score is listed as 0, and it holds a 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs.

Q: What integrated graphics does each CPU use?

A: The i5-14400 uses UHD Graphics 730, and the i9-14901TE uses UHD Graphics 770.

The Verdict

The database presents a clear asymmetry: the Intel Core i5-14400 has extensive measured performance data and the Intel Core i9-14901TE has none. The i5-14400's average benchmark score of 32115 and 82nd percentile ranking make it a known quantity, competitive with the i7-12800H, i7-13705H, i5-14450HX, and i9-11900, all within a 0.3 percent spread. Its 10-core, 16-thread configuration and 20 MB L3 cache provide a solid foundation for multi-threaded desktop workloads.

The i9-14901TE presents a different value proposition based on specifications. Its 8 cores and 16 threads deliver the same thread count as the i5-14400 with fewer physical cores, but its 5.50 GHz boost clock, 36 MB L3 cache, and 45 W TDP point toward a processor tuned for single-threaded speed and power efficiency. The larger die size of 257 mm² versus 215 mm² reflects the additional cache capacity.

For users who require verified performance, the i5-14400 is the only option with recorded data. Its benchmark scores across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, Geekbench, and PassMark provide a complete picture of its capabilities, from 21315 in Cinebench R23 multi-core to 3009 in single-core, and from 25080 in PassMark multithread to 3741 in single-thread.

For users who prioritize the i9-14901TE's architectural traits, the choice depends on whether a 0.80 GHz boost clock advantage, 16 MB additional L3 cache, and 20 W lower TDP outweigh the i5-14400's 2 additional cores and 0.20 GHz higher base clock. The i9-14901TE appears positioned for low-power systems where its 45 W TDP and UHD Graphics 770 integrated GPU would be beneficial, while the i5-14400 appears positioned for general desktop use with its 65 W TDP and established performance profile.

The i5-14400 is the data-supported pick for multi-threaded workloads. The i9-14901TE is the specification-supported pick for single-threaded performance and power-constrained builds, pending benchmark verification.