Intel Core i5-14401E vs Intel Core i7-14650HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for these two Intel processors shows a clear split between multi-threaded dominance and a notable single-thread reversal. Across the six shared Cinebench tests, the Intel Core i7-14650HX claims five victories, while the Intel Core i5-14401E secures one decisive win. The margins are substantial in both directions, making the comparison a study in core-count scaling versus per-core clock advantage.

Starting with multi-core workloads, the i7-14650HX delivers a commanding performance. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 3470.5 against the i5-14401E's 1830, a delta of 47.3% in favor of the mobile part. That gap narrows but remains large in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i7-14650HX posts 11946 versus 7627, a 36.2% advantage. The same 36.2% delta appears in Cinebench R20 singlecore, where the i7-14650HX scores 1686 against 1076. This consistent 36.2% margin across both R20 tests indicates that the i7-14650HX benefits from both higher core count and higher effective clock speeds in those workloads.

Cinebench R23 multicore shows a smaller but still decisive lead for the i7-14650HX: 20454 versus 18161, an 11.2% delta. This narrower gap suggests that R23 multicore scaling is less favorable to the 16-core part relative to the 6-core part, possibly due to thermal or power constraints on the mobile platform. Still, the i7-14650HX remains ahead in every multi-threaded test recorded.

The single exception comes in Cinebench R23 singlecore, where the i5-14401E reverses the trend. It scores 2564 against the i7-14650HX's 1969, a 30.2% lead. This is a significant margin, and it indicates that the i5-14401E's 4.70 GHz boost clock, combined with its desktop-oriented design, delivers superior per-thread performance in this particular benchmark. The i7-14650HX has a higher boost clock at 5.20 GHz, but the recorded R23 singlecore score does not reflect that advantage, likely due to power limits or silicon characteristics on the mobile die.

The overall win tally is 5 to 1 in favor of the i7-14650HX, but the single loss is not trivial. A 30.2% lead in R23 singlecore is a large enough margin to matter for lightly threaded applications. The data shows that the i7-14650HX is the clear multi-threaded performer, while the i5-14401E holds a specific, narrow niche in single-threaded R23 performance.

Looking at the broader benchmark context, the i7-14650HX sits at the 88th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 41576. Its nearest rival is the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H, which scores 41621, a delta of 0.1%. The i7-14650HX also edges past the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X (41376, a 0.5% delta) and the Intel Core i7-12850HX (41779, a 0.5% deficit). The i5-14401E, by contrast, sits at the 60th percentile, with an average score of 5253. Its nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 at 5259, a 0.1% delta, followed by the Intel Core i7-11700B at 5241 and the Intel Core i9-10850K at 5240, each within 0.2%. The i5-14401E also trails the Intel Core i5-13400T by 0.8%.

These percentile positions frame the head-to-head results: the i7-14650HX is a top-tier performer among all CPUs, while the i5-14401E is a mid-range desktop part. The 88th versus 60th percentile gap is substantial, and the average score difference, 41576 versus 5253, is roughly an 8x gap on the aggregate metric, though that aggregate includes many additional tests for the i7-14650HX that the i5-14401E lacks.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a straightforward choice for users prioritizing multi-threaded throughput: the Intel Core i7-14650HX wins five of six head-to-head tests, including all multi-core Cinebench variants. Its 16 cores and 24 threads, paired with a 5.20 GHz boost clock, produce scores that place it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs. For rendering, encoding, or any workload that scales across cores, the i7-14650HX is the stronger part by margins ranging from 11.2% to 47.3%.

The Intel Core i5-14401E, with 6 cores and 12 threads, is not without merit. Its Cinebench R23 singlecore score of 2564 beats the i7-14650HX by 30.2%, and its 60th percentile rank still places it above roughly half of all CPUs. For users whose workloads are predominantly single-threaded, or for those building a desktop system where the i5-14401E's Intel Socket 1700 platform offers flexibility, this part delivers a specific advantage. The i5-14401E also has a higher base clock (2.50 GHz versus 2.20 GHz), which may contribute to its single-thread showing.

The i7-14650HX, despite being a mobile part with a 55 W TDP, outperforms the desktop i5-14401E (65 W TDP) in every multi-threaded test. This is notable because the i7-14650HX operates in a lower power envelope, yet its higher core count more than compensates. The i7-14650HX also offers an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i5-14401E is locked, giving the mobile part additional flexibility for overclocking. The i7-14650HX integrates UHD Graphics 710, while the i5-14401E has UHD Graphics 730, a minor difference in integrated graphics capability.

For a desktop build focused on single-thread performance, the i5-14401E is the data-backed choice. For any multi-threaded workload, the i7-14650HX dominates. The verdict is clear: the i7-14650HX is the overall faster processor, with the i5-14401E holding a single but significant single-core crown.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Raptor Lake architecture and are built on Intel's 10 nm process node. The i5-14401E uses the Raptor Lake-R codename, while the i7-14650HX uses Raptor Lake-HX. Both are part of the Core 14th Gen series, with the i5-14401E belonging to the Raptor Lake Refresh generation and the i7-14650HX to the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh generation. The die sizes differ: the i5-14401E measures 215 mm², while the i7-14650HX is larger at 257 mm², reflecting the additional cores and cache.

Core counts are the primary architectural differentiator. The i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i7-14650HX has 16 cores and 24 threads. This difference drives the multi-threaded performance gap. Cache structures also diverge: both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but the i5-14401E has 1.25 MB of L2 per core, while the i7-14650HX has 2 MB per core. L3 cache is 20 MB shared on the i5-14401E versus 30 MB shared on the i7-14650HX. The larger L2 and L3 caches on the i7-14650HX likely contribute to its multi-threaded efficiency.

Socket and market segment differ sharply. The i5-14401E uses Intel Socket 1700 and is a desktop part, while the i7-14650HX uses Intel BGA 1964 and is a mobile part. This affects platform compatibility and upgradeability. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is identical: Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: the i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the i7-14650HX has UHD Graphics 710.

The multiplier is unlocked on the i7-14650HX but locked on the i5-14401E, giving the mobile part a feature advantage for enthusiasts. The i7-14650HX also has a higher boost clock (5.20 GHz versus 4.70 GHz), while the i5-14401E has a higher base clock (2.50 GHz versus 2.20 GHz). The combination of more cores, larger caches, and a higher boost clock explains the i7-14650HX's dominance in multi-threaded tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. Core count: 6 versus 16. Threads: 12 versus 24. Base clock: 2.50 GHz versus 2.20 GHz. Boost clock: 4.70 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. TDP: 65 W versus 55 W. Socket: Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel BGA 1964. Die size: 215 mm² versus 257 mm². L2 cache: 1.25 MB per core versus 2 MB per core. L3 cache: 20 MB shared versus 30 MB shared. Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 versus UHD Graphics 710. Market segment: Desktop versus Mobile. Multiplier: locked versus unlocked. Release date: 2024-06-30 versus 2024-01-07. Part number: Q49JSRNJS versus SRMXH.

Both share the same process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (80 KB per core), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC support (true), PCIe lanes (Gen 5, 16 lanes), and manufacturer (Intel). The i7-14650HX has a higher average benchmark score (41576 versus 5253) and a higher percentile (88 versus 60). The i5-14401E has a higher Cinebench R23 singlecore score (2564 versus 1969), while the i7-14650HX wins all other shared benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-14650HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The i7-14650HX boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the i5-14401E boosts to 4.70 GHz. The i5-14401E has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz versus 2.20 GHz.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i7-14650HX scores 20454 versus the i5-14401E's 18161, an 11.2% lead for the i7-14650HX.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 singlecore?

A: The i5-14401E scores 2564 versus the i7-14650HX's 1969, a 30.2% lead for the i5-14401E.

Q: What are the cache differences?

A: Both have 80 KB of L1 per core. The i5-14401E has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 20 MB of shared L3. The i7-14650HX has 2 MB of L2 per core and 30 MB of shared L3.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the i5-14401E and the i7-14650HX support ECC memory and use dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5.

Q: What are the percentile rankings?

A: The i5-14401E is at the 60th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-14650HX is at the 88th percentile.