Intel Core i5-14401E vs Intel Core i9-14900 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear overall advantage for the Intel Core i9-14900, which wins 5 of the 6 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The i9-14900 dominates in multi-threaded workloads with substantial margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i9-14900 scores 4793 against 1830 for the i5-14401E, a 61.8% difference. That gap narrows somewhat in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i9-14900 posts 15910 versus 7627, a 52.1% delta. Cinebench R23 multicore shows the i9-14900 at 31070 compared to 18161, a 41.5% advantage.

Single-core results split the two processors. The i9-14900 wins Cinebench R15 singlecore with 315 against 258, an 18.1% margin, and Cinebench R20 singlecore with 2245 against 1076, a 52.1% delta. However, the i5-14401E takes Cinebench R23 singlecore with 2564 versus 2212, a 15.9% edge for the i5. This is the only benchmark where the i5-14401E comes out ahead, and it indicates that the i5 can hold its own in lightly threaded tasks that rely on raw single-core performance.

The average benchmark scores place the two chips far apart. The i9-14900 has an average benchmark score of 58115, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i5-14401E averages 5253, sitting in the 60th percentile. The i9-14900's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M at 58323 (0.4% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D at 58386 (0.5% ahead), and the Intel Xeon w5-2545 at 58504 (0.7% ahead). The i5-14401E sits near the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 at 5259 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i7-11700B at 5241 (0.2% behind), and the Intel Core i9-10850K at 5240 (0.2% behind).

The i9-14900 also has a much wider benchmark portfolio in the database, including Geekbench and Passmark results. Its Geekbench multicore score is 18495, and its Passmark multithread score is 44578. The i5-14401E lacks these additional entries, so direct comparisons on those tests are not available.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 wins 5 out of 6 recorded comparisons. The only win for the Intel Core i5-14401E is Cinebench R23 singlecore, where it scores 2564 against 2212.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap between the two?

A: The i9-14900 leads by 61.8% in Cinebench R15 multicore, 52.1% in Cinebench R20 multicore, and 41.5% in Cinebench R23 multicore.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1700 and are based on the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename.

Q: What is the process node for both chips?

A: Both are built on Intel's 10 nm process, with the i5-14401E using a 215 mm² die and the i9-14900 using a 257 mm² die.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The i5-14401E has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-14900 has 2 MB of L2 per core and 36 MB of shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

Both processors come from Intel's Core 14th Gen series, using the Raptor Lake architecture and the Raptor Lake-R codename. They share the same 10 nm process node and are fabricated by Intel. Both use Intel Socket 1700 and support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. ECC memory support is present on both. PCIe connectivity is identical: Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The core configurations differ significantly. The i5-14401E is a 6-core, 12-thread part, while the i9-14900 is a 24-core, 32-thread part. This explains the large multi-core performance gap, as the i9-14900 has four times the physical cores and nearly three times the threads.

Cache hierarchies also differ. L1 cache is the same at 80 KB per core. L2 cache on the i5-14401E is 1.25 MB per core, while the i9-14900 offers 2 MB per core. Shared L3 cache is 20 MB on the i5-14401E and 36 MB on the i9-14900. The larger L3 on the i9-14900 provides more headroom for workloads that repeatedly access large data sets.

Clock speeds tell a mixed story. The i5-14401E has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The i9-14900 has a lower base clock of 2.00 GHz but a much higher boost clock of 5.80 GHz. The lower base clock on the i9-14900 may reflect power management across its larger core count, while the higher boost clock gives it an edge in bursty single-threaded scenarios. Yet the Cinebench R23 singlecore result shows the i5-14401E ahead, so boost clocks alone do not determine single-thread performance in that test.

Both chips have a 65 W TDP, which is notable given the i9-14900's much larger core count. The i5-14401E uses the UHD Graphics 730 integrated GPU, while the i9-14900 uses the UHD Graphics 770. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is limited on both.

The i9-14900 was released earlier, on 2024-01-07, while the i5-14401E followed on 2024-06-30. The i9-14900 has a launch MSRP of $549. The i5-14401E has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

The Verdict

The data indicates two processors aimed at different segments of the desktop market. The Intel Core i9-14900 is the clear performance leader, winning 5 of 6 head-to-head benchmarks and sitting in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. Its 24 cores and 32 threads deliver multi-core scores that are roughly 41% to 62% higher than the i5-14401E, depending on the test. The i9-14900 also has a much higher average benchmark score of 58115, more than ten times the i5-14401E's 5253.

The Intel Core i5-14401E is not without merit. It wins Cinebench R23 singlecore by 15.9%, showing that its 6-core, 12-thread design can compete in lightly threaded tasks. Its 60th percentile ranking places it near older high-end parts like the Intel Core i9-10850K, which is respectable for a modern 6-core chip. The i5-14401E also has a smaller die at 215 mm² versus 257 mm² for the i9-14900, which may have implications for thermal density, though both are rated at 65 W TDP.

The i9-14900 is the better choice for workloads that scale with core count, such as rendering, compilation, or heavy multitasking. The i5-14401E is more suited to scenarios where single-threaded performance matters most and where a smaller core count is sufficient. Neither chip offers an unlocked multiplier, so users looking for overclocking headroom would need to look elsewhere.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several specification fields. The i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for the i5-14401E and 2.00 GHz for the i9-14900. Boost clocks are 4.70 GHz for the i5-14401E and 5.80 GHz for the i9-14900. Die size is 215 mm² for the i5-14401E and 257 mm² for the i9-14900. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core for the i5-14401E and 2 MB per core for the i9-14900. L3 cache is 20 MB shared for the i5-14401E and 36 MB shared for the i9-14900. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 on the i5-14401E and UHD Graphics 770 on the i9-14900. Release dates are 2024-06-30 for the i5-14401E and 2024-01-07 for the i9-14900. The i9-14900 has a launch MSRP of $549, while the i5-14401E has no recorded launch MSRP. Part numbers are Q49JSRNJS for the i5-14401E and SRN3V for the i9-14900.

Both processors share the same 65 W TDP, Intel Socket 1700, Raptor Lake architecture, Raptor Lake-R codename, 10 nm process node, L1 cache of 80 KB per core, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, and a locked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14900 wins decisively in multi-threaded workloads. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests all show the i9-14900 ahead by margins between 41.5% and 61.8%. The i9-14900 also wins the two other single-core tests in the head-to-head set: Cinebench R15 singlecore by 18.1% and Cinebench R20 singlecore by 52.1%. Its 24-core, 32-thread configuration with 36 MB of L3 cache gives it a strong foundation for heavily parallel tasks. The additional Passmark and Geekbench results in the database, such as Passmark multithread at 44578 and Geekbench multicore at 18495, further demonstrate its breadth in throughput-oriented applications.

The Intel Core i5-14401E wins one specific test: Cinebench R23 singlecore, with a 15.9% advantage over the i9-14900. This result suggests that the i5-14401E can deliver competitive single-threaded performance in certain rendering workloads, despite having only 6 cores and 12 threads. Its 20 MB of L3 cache and 4.70 GHz boost clock are sufficient for tasks that do not scale beyond a few threads.

For users prioritizing multi-core throughput, the i9-14900 is the obvious pick. For those focused on single-threaded Cinebench R23 performance, the i5-14401E has a measurable edge. The i9-14900's higher average benchmark score, 92nd percentile ranking, and larger cache pool make it the stronger overall processor in the database's recorded metrics. The i5-14401E, with its 60th percentile ranking and lower average score, is more modest in scope but still competitive in one narrow benchmark category.