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

The Intel Core i5-14401E and Intel Core i9-14900HX are both 14th Gen parts, but they target different segments. The i5-14401E is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, while the i9-14900HX is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1964. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the i9-14900HX dominates multi-threaded workloads, while the i5-14401E wins in one specific single-threaded test. This analysis draws exclusively from recorded Cinebench and other benchmark scores.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14900HX wins five of the six head-to-head benchmark comparisons. Its most decisive victories come in multi-core tests, where the gap is enormous. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i9-14900HX scores 4574 against 1830 for the i5-14401E, a 60% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the i9-14900HX scores 15616 versus 7627, a 51.2% lead. The i9-14900HX also wins Cinebench R23 multicore with 30055 against 18161, a 39.6% margin. These results indicate the i9-14900HX is the clear choice for rendering, compiling, or any workload that scales across many threads.

Single-core performance is closer but still favors the i9-14900HX in most tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i9-14900HX scores 310.5 versus 258, a 16.9% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i9-14900HX scores 2204 versus 1076, a 51.2% lead. However, the i5-14401E wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 2564 against 2181.5, a 17.5% advantage. That single win is notable because it shows the i5-14401E can outperform the i9-14900HX in at least one specific single-threaded scenario, likely due to its higher base clock of 2.50 GHz compared to 2.20 GHz, or differences in boost behavior.

The i9-14900HX also holds a massive overall benchmark advantage. Its average benchmark score is 56004, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. The i5-14401E has an average benchmark score of 5253, placing it in the 60th percentile. The i9-14900HX sits near rivals like the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 (56273, 0.5% higher) and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 470 (56306, 0.5% higher), while the i5-14401E sits near the Intel Core i7-11700B (5241, 0.2% higher) and Intel Core i9-10850K (5240, 0.2% higher). The percentile difference, 91 versus 60, reflects a substantial performance tier gap.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion: the Intel Core i9-14900HX is the superior processor for almost every workload. Its multi-core scores are consistently 39.6% to 60% higher than the i5-14401E across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. Its single-core scores are also higher in two of the three Cinebench single-core tests. The i5-14401E wins only Cinebench R23 single-core, and that win does not offset the i9-14900HX’s dominance elsewhere.

Who should pick the i5-14401E? The data shows it is a capable desktop chip with a 65 TDP, but its 6 cores and 12 threads limit it in multi-threaded tasks. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 18161 is respectable for its class, but it trails the i9-14900HX by 39.6%. The i5-14401E is suitable for users who prioritize the single-threaded result from Cinebench R23, where it leads by 17.5%, or who need a desktop socket with ECC memory support. The i5-14401E also has a smaller die size of 215 mm² compared to 257 mm² for the i9-14900HX, which may indicate lower manufacturing complexity.

Who should pick the i9-14900HX? The data shows it is a high-end mobile processor with 24 cores and 32 threads. Its multi-core scores are far ahead, and its single-core scores are also better in most tests. The i9-14900HX is the choice for users who need maximum performance in a laptop, especially for tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, or running many virtual machines. Its unlocked multiplier also allows overclocking, a feature the i5-14401E lacks. The i9-14900HX’s 91st percentile ranking confirms it belongs in the upper tier of all CPUs, while the i5-14401E’s 60th percentile places it in the mid-range.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals the magnitude of the performance gap. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i9-14900HX scores 4574, which is 60% higher than the i5-14401E’s 1830. This is the largest percentage difference in any benchmark. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the i9-14900HX scores 15616 versus 7627, a 51.2% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i9-14900HX scores 2204 versus 1076, also a 51.2% lead. These two tests show identical percentage gaps, indicating consistent scaling in that suite.

Cinebench R23 presents a mixed picture. In multicore, the i9-14900HX scores 30055 against 18161, a 39.6% lead. In single-core, the i5-14401E reverses the trend with 2564 versus 2181.5, a 17.5% win. This is the only benchmark where the i5-14401E comes out ahead. The Cinebench R15 single-core result shows the i9-14900HX winning by 16.9% with 310.5 against 258. The i9-14900HX also has additional benchmark data from Geekbench and PassMark, which the i5-14401E lacks. Its Geekbench multicore score is 17511, and its single-core score is 2330. PassMark results include a multithread score of 43778, an integer math score of 157375, and a floating point math score of 112273. These extra scores reinforce the i9-14900HX’s position as a high-performance part.

The i5-14401E’s single win in Cinebench R23 single-core is significant because it contradicts the trend from R15 and R20. The i5-14401E’s boost clock of 4.70 GHz is lower than the i9-14900HX’s 5.80 GHz, so the win likely stems from workload-specific optimizations or power management differences. The i9-14900HX has a base clock of 2.20 GHz, lower than the i5-14401E’s 2.50 GHz, which may affect sustained single-thread performance in certain tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher Cinebench R23 multicore score?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX scores 30055, while the Intel Core i5-14401E scores 18161. The i9-14900HX leads by 39.6%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-14401E win any benchmark against the i9-14900HX?

A: Yes, the i5-14401E wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 2564 versus 2181.5 for the i9-14900HX, a 17.5% advantage.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The i9-14900HX has an average benchmark score of 56004, placing it in the 91st percentile. The i5-14401E has an average score of 5253, placing it in the 60th percentile.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

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

Q: Are both processors on the same socket?

A: No. The i5-14401E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the i9-14900HX uses Intel BGA 1964. The i5-14401E is a desktop part, and the i9-14900HX is a mobile part.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the i5-14401E and the i9-14900HX list ECC memory support as true. Both also support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Raptor Lake architecture, but they are distinct variants. The i5-14401E uses the Raptor Lake-R codename, while the i9-14900HX uses Raptor Lake-HX. The i5-14401E is part of the Raptor Lake Refresh generation for desktop, and the i9-14900HX is part of the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh generation for mobile. Both are built on a 10 nm process node by Intel, but the die size differs: the i5-14401E has a die size of 215 mm², while the i9-14900HX has a die size of 257 mm².

The core and cache layouts differ significantly. The i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, with L1 cache of 80 KB per core, L2 cache of 1.25 MB per core, and L3 cache of 20 MB shared. The i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads, with L1 cache of 80 KB per core, L2 cache of 2 MB per core, and L3 cache of 36 MB shared. The larger L3 cache and higher per-core L2 cache on the i9-14900HX contribute to its superior multi-threaded performance.

Both processors use the same PCIe configuration: Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). They also both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus. The integrated graphics differ: the i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the i9-14900HX includes UHD Graphics 770. The i9-14900HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5-14401E does not. The production status for both is active, but the release dates differ: the i5-14401E was released on 2024-06-30, and the i9-14900HX was released on 2024-01-07.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. Core count: the i5-14401E has 6 cores, while the i9-14900HX has 24 cores. Thread count: the i5-14401E has 12 threads, while the i9-14900HX has 32 threads. Base clock: the i5-14401E runs at 2.50 GHz, while the i9-14900HX runs at 2.20 GHz. Boost clock: the i5-14401E boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the i9-14900HX boosts to 5.80 GHz. TDP: the i5-14401E has a TDP of 65, while the i9-14900HX has a TDP of 55. Socket: the i5-14401E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the i9-14900HX uses Intel BGA 1964.

Cache specifications also diverge. L2 cache: the i5-14401E has 1.25 MB per core, while the i9-14900HX has 2 MB per core. L3 cache: the i5-14401E has 20 MB shared, while the i9-14900HX has 36 MB shared. L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core. Die size: the i5-14401E measures 215 mm², while the i9-14900HX measures 257 mm². Integrated graphics: the i5-14401E has UHD Graphics 730, while the i9-14900HX has UHD Graphics 770. The multiplier is locked on the i5-14401E and unlocked on the i9-14900HX.

Market segment differs: the i5-14401E is a desktop processor, while the i9-14900HX is a mobile processor. Part numbers also differ: the i5-14401E has part number Q49JSRNJS, and the i9-14900HX has part number SRMXF. Both share the same memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC memory support (true), and PCIe configuration (Gen 5, 16 Lanes CPU only). The process node is identical at 10 nm, and both are manufactured by Intel.