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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive picture across all six recorded Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i9-14900KS wins every head-to-head comparison, with a consistent delta of -64.4% against the Intel Core i5-14401E in each test. This uniform percentage reflects the scale of the performance gap between the two processors.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i9-14900KS scores 5140 against the i5-14401E's 1830. The single-core R15 test shows 725 versus 258, respectively. The R20 multicore test records 21417 for the i9-14900KS and 7627 for the i5-14401E, while the R20 single-core test sees 3023 against 1076. The R23 multicore results are 50995 for the i9-14900KS and 18161 for the i5-14401E, and the R23 single-core test shows 7199 versus 2564.

The i9-14900KS also delivers additional benchmark data beyond the Cinebench suite. Its Geekbench multicore score is 23931 with a single-core result of 2692. Passmark tests show a multithread score of 60012, single-thread performance of 4815, integer math at 212644, floating point math at 153975, data compression at 803368, data encryption at 47717, extended instructions at 45524, random string sorting at 89789, physics at 3381, and find prime numbers at 244. The i5-14401E has no recorded scores in these additional tests.

The percentile rankings place the i9-14900KS in the 96th percentile of all CPUs tracked in the database, while the i5-14401E sits in the 60th percentile. The average benchmark score for the i9-14900KS is 81127, compared to 5253 for the i5-14401E. The i9-14900KS's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon w5-3535X with an average score of 81115 and a delta of 0%, the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX at 81103 with a 0% delta, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 at 80762 with a 0.5% delta, and the Intel Xeon 638 at 80723 with a 0.5% delta. The i5-14401E's nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 at 5259 with a -0.1% delta, the Intel Core i7-11700B at 5241 with a 0.2% delta, the Intel Core i9-10850K at 5240 with a 0.2% delta, and the Intel Core i5-13400T at 5210 with a 0.8% delta.

The consistent -64.4% delta across all Cinebench tests indicates that the performance relationship between these two processors is uniform regardless of workload type. The i9-14900KS maintains the same proportional advantage in both single-core and multi-core scenarios, which suggests the difference stems from fundamental architectural capacity rather than workload-specific optimizations.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS wins every single-core benchmark. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 725 versus 258 for the i5-14401E. The R20 single-core test shows 3023 against 1076, and the R23 single-core test records 7199 versus 2564.

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

A: The i9-14900KS delivers 5140 in Cinebench R15 multicore against the i5-14401E's 1830. In R20 multicore, the scores are 21417 and 7627, while R23 multicore shows 50995 versus 18161. Each test carries a -64.4% delta for the i5-14401E.

Q: Does the i5-14401E have any recorded benchmark wins?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows 0 wins for the i5-14401E and 6 wins for the i9-14900KS across all six Cinebench tests.

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

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

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i9-14900KS has a boost clock of 6.20 GHz, while the i5-14401E has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel buses. Both also support ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

Both processors belong to the Core 14th Gen series from Intel and share the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename. The process node is 10 nm for both, and Intel is the foundry for each. However, the die sizes differ: the i5-14401E measures 215 mm² while the i9-14900KS measures 257 mm².

The cache hierarchy shows notable differences. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core for both processors. The L2 cache differs, with the i5-14401E providing 1.25 MB per core and the i9-14900KS offering 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is 20 MB shared for the i5-14401E and 36 MB shared for the i9-14900KS.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-14401E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the i9-14900KS uses UHD Graphics 770. Both processors support PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The socket is Intel Socket 1700 for both.

The multiplier is unlocked on the i9-14900KS, allowing overclocking adjustments, while the i5-14401E has a locked multiplier. The part numbers are Q49JSRNJS for the i5-14401E and SRN7R for the i9-14900KS.

Specification Differences

The core counts present the most dramatic specification gap. The i5-14401E contains 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i9-14900KS contains 24 cores and 32 threads. This difference directly accounts for the multi-core benchmark results.

Base clock speeds differ: the i5-14401E runs at 2.50 GHz base, while the i9-14900KS runs at 3.20 GHz base. Boost clocks show a larger gap: 4.70 GHz for the i5-14401E versus 6.20 GHz for the i9-14900KS.

Thermal design power is 65 watts for the i5-14401E and 150 watts for the i9-14900KS. This power envelope difference aligns with the increased core count and higher clock speeds of the i9-14900KS.

The L2 cache per core is 1.25 MB for the i5-14401E and 2 MB for the i9-14900KS. The shared L3 cache is 20 MB for the i5-14401E and 36 MB for the i9-14900KS. The die size is 215 mm² for the i5-14401E and 257 mm² for the i9-14900KS.

Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 for the i5-14401E and UHD Graphics 770 for the i9-14900KS. The multiplier is locked on the i5-14401E and unlocked on the i9-14900KS.

Release dates differ: the i5-14401E launched on 2024-06-30, while the i9-14900KS launched on 2024-03-13. The i9-14900KS has a launch MSRP of $689, while the i5-14401E has no recorded launch MSRP.

Both processors share the same socket, memory support, memory bus, ECC support, PCIe configuration, process node, foundry, architecture, and codename. Both are desktop market segment parts with active production status.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a clear performance hierarchy between these two processors. The i9-14900KS outperforms the i5-14401E in every measured benchmark, with no exceptions across the six Cinebench tests. The -64.4% delta in each test indicates that the i5-14401E delivers only about one-third of the i9-14900KS's performance in these workloads.

The i9-14900KS sits in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-14401E sits in the 60th percentile. The average benchmark score of 81127 for the i9-14900KS places it alongside workstation-class processors like the Intel Xeon w5-3535X and AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX. The i5-14401E's average score of 5253 places it near older high-end desktop parts like the Intel Core i9-10850K and the Intel Core i7-11700B.

Users requiring maximum multi-threaded throughput for rendering, compilation, or simulation workloads would select the i9-14900KS based on its 24 cores, 32 threads, and R23 multicore score of 50995. The single-core performance of 7199 in R23 also makes it suitable for latency-sensitive applications.

Users with power constraints or lighter workloads might consider the i5-14401E, which draws 65 watts versus the i9-14900KS's 150 watts. The 6-core, 12-thread configuration with a 4.70 GHz boost clock still delivers a R23 single-core score of 2564, which is competitive for everyday tasks.

The i9-14900KS's unlock multiplier provides additional flexibility for users who want to adjust clock speeds beyond the stock 6.20 GHz boost. The i5-14401E's locked multiplier limits such adjustments.

The specification sheet confirms that the i9-14900KS is the higher-tier part in every meaningful category: cores, threads, clocks, cache, and integrated graphics. The performance data reinforces this conclusion with a perfect 6-0 win record in head-to-head benchmarks. The choice between these two processors depends entirely on whether the workload justifies the i9-14900KS's higher power draw and larger die size in exchange for its substantial performance advantage.