Intel Core i5-14400 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between these two Intel processors is unusually clear. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H takes 5 wins, while the Intel Core i5-14400 takes 12 wins in the head-to-head comparison. That is a decisive overall margin, but the wins are not scattered randomly. They cluster around specific workload types.

The Ultra 7 155H dominates in math-heavy and physics-oriented tasks. It wins PassMark integer math by 5.9%, floating point math by 3.5%, and find prime numbers by a massive 41.3%. It also takes the physics test by 23.7% and the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test by 14.1%. These are workloads that reward raw parallel arithmetic throughput and core count scaling.

The i5-14400, by contrast, wins nearly everything else. It is particularly strong in single-threaded performance, taking Cinebench R15 single-core by 15.8%, Cinebench R23 single-core by 42.1%, and PassMark single-thread by 7.3%. It also wins the modern multi-core rendering tests, with Cinebench R23 multi-core showing a 29.5% advantage. The desktop chip is the clear choice for rendering, compression, encryption, and general productivity.

The data implies a simple split: the Ultra 7 155H is a mobile processor optimized for bursty, parallel math workloads, while the i5-14400 is a desktop part built for sustained, broad-spectrum performance. The average benchmark scores reflect this, with the Ultra 7 at 32697 and the i5-14400 at 32115, a difference of only 1.8% in favor of the mobile chip despite its lower power envelope.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design generations. The Ultra 7 155H uses the Meteor Lake architecture on a 7 nm process node, while the i5-14400 uses Raptor Lake on a 10 nm node. This is a significant generational gap, and it shows in the transistor density and power characteristics.

The core configurations are very different. The Ultra 7 155H has 16 cores and 22 threads, while the i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads. The mobile chip has 60% more cores and 37.5% more threads. This explains its advantage in parallel math workloads. The i5-14400 compensates with higher clock speeds, boosting to 4.70 GHz versus 4.80 GHz for the Ultra 7, but its base clock is much lower at 2.50 GHz compared to 3.80 GHz.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Ultra 7 155H has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The i5-14400 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The mobile chip has more cache at every level, which likely contributes to its math performance wins.

The power envelope is a major differentiator. The Ultra 7 155H has a TDP of 28 watts, while the i5-14400 has a TDP of 65 watts. That is a 2.3x difference in thermal design power. The mobile chip achieves its results within a much tighter power budget, which is remarkable given its core count advantage.

Memory support also diverges. The Ultra 7 155H supports DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i5-14400 supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The i5-14400 also supports ECC memory, which the Ultra 7 does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well, with the Ultra 7 offering Gen 5 with 8 lanes and the i5-14400 offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the Ultra 7 155H is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 113 against 80 for the i5-14400, a 41.3% advantage. This is a pure integer throughput test, and the mobile chip's extra cores and threads shine here. The physics test shows a similar pattern, with the Ultra 7 scoring 1727 against 1396, a 23.7% lead.

The i5-14400's biggest win is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 3009 against 1743, a 42.1% margin. This is a massive single-threaded advantage. The desktop chip also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 29.5%, scoring 21315 against 15028. This is notable because the Ultra 7 has more cores, yet the i5-14400 still wins the modern multi-core rendering test by a wide margin.

The Cinebench R20 results are closer. The i5-14400 wins multi-core by only 2.2%, scoring 8952 against 8754. The single-core result is also 2.2% in favor of the i5-14400, with scores of 1263 and 1235. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test goes the other way, with the Ultra 7 winning by 14.1% with 2450 against 2148.

PassMark results are mixed. The i5-14400 wins data compression by 12%, extended instructions by 17%, and data encryption by 2.2%. The Ultra 7 wins integer math by 5.9% and floating point math by 3.5%. The multithread test is nearly tied, with the i5-14400 winning by just 0.8% with 25080 against 24873. Random string sorting also goes to the i5-14400 by 1.1%.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core i5-14400 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 16 | 10 |

| Threads | 22 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2049 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Meteor Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | Not specified | 215 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 112 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not specified |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 8 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG 128EU | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2023-12-13 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $503 | $221 |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H has 16 cores and 22 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor is better for single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14400 wins all single-threaded benchmarks, including Cinebench R23 single-core by 42.1% and PassMark single-thread by 7.3%.

Q: Which processor has a lower power draw?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H has a TDP of 28 watts, compared to 65 watts for the Intel Core i5-14400.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-14400 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-14400 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H does not.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core i5-14400 has Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H has Gen 5 with 8 lanes.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H has an average benchmark score of 32697, while the Intel Core i5-14400 has an average of 32115, a difference of 1.8% in favor of the mobile chip.

The Verdict

The data points to two very different usage profiles. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is the better choice for mobile systems where power efficiency matters. Its 28 watt TDP, combined with wins in integer math, floating point math, physics, and prime number finding, makes it a strong option for portable workstations handling scientific or engineering calculations. The 14.1% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core also suggests it handles legacy multi-threaded workloads well.

The Intel Core i5-14400 is the better choice for desktop systems where performance is the priority. Its 42.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 29.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core make it the clear winner for modern rendering and content creation. The 12% advantage in data compression and 17% in extended instructions also point to strong general productivity performance. The 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and ECC memory support add to its appeal for workstation builds.

The overall benchmark score is nearly identical, with the Ultra 7 155H at 32697 and the i5-14400 at 32115. The i5-14400 wins 12 of 17 head-to-head tests, but the Ultra 7 155H wins the tests it does take by larger margins in some cases. The choice comes down to platform: mobile users should look at the Ultra 7 155H, while desktop users should favor the i5-14400. The data does not support one being universally better, only better for specific environments and workloads.