Intel Core i5-14401E vs Intel Core i7-11850HE Comparison

The Intel Core i5-14401E and Intel Core i7-11850HE represent two very different approaches to x86 computing, one a desktop part from the latest generation and the other a mobile processor from a few years prior. The benchmark data available shows a consistent, if not overwhelming, advantage for the newer desktop chip across every recorded test, but the underlying specifications tell a more nuanced story about power, platform, and intended use.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unambiguous: the Core i5-14401E wins all six recorded Cinebench comparisons. In the multicore tests, the i5-14401E scores 1830 in Cinebench R15 against 1753 for the i7-11850HE, a 4.4% lead. That same 4.4% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i5-14401E posts 7627 versus 7308, and again in Cinebench R23 multicore, with scores of 18161 and 17402 respectively. The consistency of the margin, exactly 4.4% in every multicore test, suggests a stable performance gap driven by architectural efficiency rather than a single workload quirk.

Single-core results follow the same pattern. The i5-14401E leads by 4.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core (258 versus 247) and by 4.4% in both R20 (1076 versus 1031) and R23 (2564 versus 2456). This is notable because the i7-11850HE has more physical cores, 8 versus 6, and a similar 4.70 GHz boost clock. Despite the core deficit, the Raptor Lake architecture delivers higher instructions per clock, which allows the i5-14401E to pull ahead even in single-threaded workloads where core count does not matter.

The average benchmark score in the database reinforces this picture. The i5-14401E has an average score of 5253, while the i7-11850HE sits at 5095. The i5-14401E lands in the 60th percentile of all CPUs, as does the i7-11850HE, meaning both are solidly mid-pack performers in the broader market. However, the i5-14401E's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-10850K at a 0.2% delta and the Intel Core i5-13400T at 0.8%, while the i7-11850HE competes with chips like the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE at a 0.5% delta. The i5-14401E is effectively trading blows with older high-end desktop chips, while the i7-11850HE is matched against efficient desktop and professional parts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E wins every recorded multicore benchmark, including Cinebench R23 multicore where it scores 18161 versus 17402 for the i7-11850HE, a 4.4% advantage.

Q: Does the i7-11850HE's extra 2 cores and 4 threads help it in any benchmark?

A: No. Despite having 8 cores and 16 threads against 6 cores and 12 threads, the i7-11850HE loses all six head-to-head tests. The i5-14401E wins by 4.4% to 4.5% across the board.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: The i5-14401E is consistently ahead by about 4.4% to 4.5% in single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2564 versus 2456.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: Both processors have a 4.70 GHz boost clock. The i5-14401E has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz versus 2.10 GHz for the i7-11850HE.

Q: Are these CPUs in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are in the 60th percentile of all CPUs in the database, though the i5-14401E has a higher average benchmark score (5253 versus 5095).

Q: Does the i7-11850HE have any benchmark that the i5-14401E does not?

A: The i7-11850HE has Geekbench scores recorded (8576 multicore, 1984 single-core), while the i5-14401E does not have Geekbench data in the database. The head-to-head comparison only covers Cinebench tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras within Intel's lineup. The i5-14401E is built on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, and represents the 14th Gen Core family. The i7-11850HE is based on Tiger Lake, specifically Tiger Lake-H, and belongs to the 11th Gen Core family. Both are manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry, but the design philosophies diverge significantly.

The i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i7-11850HE has 8 cores and 16 threads. Cache architecture is similar in structure, with 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core on both chips. The difference appears in L3 cache: the i5-14401E has 20 MB shared, while the i7-11850HE has 24 MB shared. The larger L3 on the older chip partially compensates for its older core design, but it does not overcome the performance gap in the recorded benchmarks.

The die sizes are close, 215 mm² for the i5-14401E and 190 mm² for the i7-11850HE, reflecting the different core counts and integrated components. The i5-14401E includes a newer integrated graphics solution, UHD Graphics 730, while the i7-11850HE has UHD Graphics (Xe-LP), which is part of the Tiger Lake generation. The memory controllers differ as well: the i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-11850HE is limited to DDR4.

Specification Differences

The most striking specification difference is the TDP. The i5-14401E has a 65 W TDP, while the i7-11850HE is rated at 35 W. This makes the i7-11850HE a much more power-efficient part, which aligns with its mobile market segment, but it also explains why the desktop chip can sustain higher performance despite fewer cores. The i7-11850HE also has a measured memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i5-14401E's memory bandwidth is not listed in the database.

Socket and platform are entirely different. The i5-14401E uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket, while the i7-11850HE uses Intel BGA 1787, a ball-grid array for mobile systems. The i5-14401E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-11850HE supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. ECC memory is supported on the i5-14401E but not on the i7-11850HE.

Release dates are far apart: the i5-14401E launched on June 30, 2024, while the i7-11850HE launched on August 2, 2021. The i7-11850HE has a recorded launch MSRP of $400, while the i5-14401E has no MSRP listed. Both are marked as active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-14401E's part number is Q49JSRNJS, while the i7-11850HE is SRKWZ.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14401E wins every benchmark category where both have data. It takes all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, covering single-core and multicore workloads in R15, R20, and R23. The margin is tight, 4.4% to 4.5%, but it is consistent across every test. This makes the i5-14401E the clear choice for any workload that relies on raw CPU throughput, whether that is rendering, compiling, or general desktop responsiveness.

The Intel Core i7-11850HE does not win any of the recorded head-to-head benchmarks. Its strengths lie outside the Cinebench suite. With a 35 W TDP, it is designed for laptops and compact systems where power draw and heat are primary concerns. Its 8 cores and 16 threads provide more parallel capacity than the i5-14401E, but the recorded data shows that capacity does not translate into better scores in these specific tests. The i7-11850HE also has a larger L3 cache at 24 MB, which could benefit certain workloads that are not represented in the benchmark set, but no such advantage appears in the available measurements.

For users building a desktop system, the i5-14401E is the superior part in every measured metric. For users looking at a mobile platform, the i7-11850HE offers a lower power envelope and a different socket, which makes it the only option of the two for that form factor. The i7-11850HE also has Geekbench scores recorded, 8576 multicore and 1984 single-core, which the i5-14401E lacks, so comparisons in that benchmark cannot be made.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Core i5-14401E outperforms the Intel Core i7-11850HE in every recorded benchmark, with a consistent 4.4% to 4.5% lead across all six Cinebench tests. The i5-14401E achieves this despite having 2 fewer cores and 4 fewer threads, relying on the newer Raptor Lake architecture and a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 2.10 GHz. Its 65 W TDP is nearly double the i7-11850HE's 35 W, but on a desktop platform that power budget is readily available.

The i7-11850HE is not without merit. It offers 8 cores, a 24 MB L3 cache, and a 35 W TDP that makes it suitable for thin-and-light systems. Its socket, BGA 1787, is fixed to the motherboard, which means it is not a drop-in upgrade for any existing system. The i5-14401E, by contrast, uses Socket 1700, which is a standard desktop socket with a wide range of motherboard options.

For a desktop builder, the choice is straightforward: the i5-14401E is the faster processor in every measured test. For a mobile user, the i7-11850HE is the only one that fits the form factor, but it sacrifices performance for efficiency. The benchmark data does not show any scenario where the i7-11850HE overtakes the i5-14401E, so the verdict depends entirely on the platform and power requirements of the build. If performance is the priority and a desktop socket is acceptable, the i5-14401E wins outright. If low power and mobile integration are non-negotiable, the i7-11850HE is the functional choice, but expect a measurable performance deficit in CPU-bound tasks.