Intel Core i5-14401E vs Intel Core i7-14700 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-14700 is the dominant performer in this comparison, winning 5 of the 6 head-to-head benchmarks recorded in the database. The sole exception is a single-core Cinebench R23 result, where the Intel Core i5-14401E takes a decisive victory. The data indicates a clear performance hierarchy, with the i7-14700 delivering substantially higher multi-threaded throughput and generally superior single-threaded speed, while the i5-14401E shows a specific strength in one rendering workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin of victory for the Intel Core i7-14700 appears in Cinebench R15 multicore testing. The i7-14700 scores 4061 points against 1830 for the i5-14401E, a delta of -54.9% from the perspective of the i5. This performance gap is consistent with the core count disparity between the two processors.

In Cinebench R20, the i7-14700 continues its dominance. The multicore result shows 14388 points for the i7 versus 7627 for the i5, a 47% deficit for the i5. The single-core R20 test tells a similar story: the i7-14700 scores 2031, while the i5-14401E manages only 1076, again a 47% gap. This indicates that the i7's advantage is not limited to heavily threaded workloads.

Cinebench R23 multicore results confirm the trend, with the i7-14700 scoring 28398 points and the i5-14401E scoring 18161, a 36% difference. However, the single-core R23 test flips the script. Here, the i5-14401E scores 2564, beating the i7-14700's 2080 by 23.3%. This is the only benchmark where the i5-14401E emerges victorious, and it is a notable outlier given the i7's wins in the other single-core tests.

The Cinebench R15 single-core test also favors the i7-14700, with a score of 299 against 258 for the i5, a 13.7% difference. Overall, the average benchmark score for the i7-14700 is 52301, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. The i5-14401E averages 5253, placing it in the 60th percentile. The i7-14700 sits alongside rivals like the Intel Xeon Gold 5320H, which scores 52431 with a -0.2% delta, and the AMD EPYC 8124P at 52121 with a 0.3% delta. The i5-14401E, by contrast, is near the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 at 5259 with a -0.1% delta.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-14700 wins in every multi-threaded benchmark and in most single-threaded tests. Its multicore scores are consistently 36% to 54.9% higher than the i5-14401E. This makes it the clear choice for workloads that utilize more than a few cores, such as video rendering, 3D scene compilation, or software builds. The Cinebench R20 single-core result, with a 47% advantage, also indicates that the i7-14700 generally delivers faster response in lightly threaded applications.

The Intel Core i5-14401E wins in exactly one scenario: Cinebench R23 single-core. Its score of 2564 outpaces the i7-14700's 2080 by 23.3%. This suggests that in this specific rendering task, the i5-14401E has an unexpected edge. The data does not show this advantage carrying over to other single-core tests, so it appears isolated to that particular workload. Users running Cinebench R23 single-core as a primary task might see better performance from the i5-14401E, but all other recorded benchmarks favor the i7-14700.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture, codenamed Raptor Lake-R, and are built on Intel's 10 nm process node. They belong to the Core 14th Gen series and use the Intel Socket 1700. The die size differs: the i5-14401E measures 215 mm², while the i7-14700 is larger at 257 mm². This size difference aligns with the higher core count of the i7.

The core configurations are markedly different. The i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i7-14700 has 20 cores and 28 threads. This is the primary driver of the large multicore performance gaps. Cache hierarchies also differ. Both use 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the i5 and 2 MB per core on the i7. The shared L3 cache is 20 MB on the i5 and 33 MB on the i7. The larger caches on the i7-14700 provide more headroom for data-heavy workloads.

Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory. The integrated graphics differ: the i5-14401E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the i7-14700 uses UHD Graphics 770. Both are produced by Intel and are currently marked as Active in production status.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is core count: 6 cores and 12 threads for the i5-14401E versus 20 cores and 28 threads for the i7-14700. Base clock speeds differ as well, with the i5-14401E at 2.50 GHz and the i7-14700 at a lower 2.10 GHz. Boost clocks reverse this, with the i7-14700 reaching 5.40 GHz compared to 4.70 GHz for the i5-14401E. The TDP is identical at 65 watts for both.

Cache specifications differ across all levels. The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the i5 and 2 MB per core on the i7. The L3 cache is 20 MB shared on the i5 and 33 MB shared on the i7. The die size is 215 mm² for the i5 and 257 mm² for the i7. The integrated graphics are different models: UHD Graphics 730 for the i5 and UHD Graphics 770 for the i7.

Release dates differ, with the i5-14401E launching on 2024-06-30 and the i7-14700 on 2024-01-07. The i7-14700 has a launch MSRP of $384. The i5-14401E has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning they are not unlocked for overclocking. Part numbers differ: Q49JSRNJS for the i5 and SRN40 for the i7.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700 has 20 cores and 28 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700 boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14401E boosts to 4.70 GHz. The base clocks are 2.10 GHz for the i7 and 2.50 GHz for the i5.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the i7-14700?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700 has 33 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 20 MB on the Intel Core i5-14401E.

Q: In which benchmark does the i5-14401E outperform the i7-14700?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E wins in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 2564 against 2080 for the i7-14700, a 23.3% advantage.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-14401E and the Intel Core i7-14700 support ECC memory.

Q: What is the average benchmark score and percentile for each?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700 has an average benchmark score of 52301 and sits in the 91st percentile. The Intel Core i5-14401E has an average benchmark score of 5253 and sits in the 60th percentile.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-14700 is the superior processor in almost every recorded test. Its average benchmark score of 52301 is nearly ten times that of the i5-14401E, and its 91st percentile ranking places it far above the i5's 60th percentile. The i7-14700 delivers multicore scores that are 36% to 54.9% higher and also wins single-core tests in Cinebench R15 and R20 by margins of 13.7% and 47%, respectively.

The Intel Core i5-14401E has a single, specific advantage: Cinebench R23 single-core performance, where it beats the i7-14700 by 23.3%. For any workload that resembles that particular test, the i5 could be the better option. However, the i7-14700 wins every other recorded benchmark, making it the logical pick for general-purpose computing, multi-threaded applications, and most single-threaded tasks.

The data indicates that the i7-14700's larger core count, bigger caches, and higher boost clock translate into real-world performance advantages. The i5-14401E, with its lower core count and smaller caches, cannot match the i7's throughput. The only reason to choose the i5-14401E would be if the specific Cinebench R23 single-core workload is the primary use case, as that is the sole scenario where its recorded scores are higher.