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

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits cleanly between these two Intel 14th Gen desktop processors. The Intel Core i9-14900T wins every recorded head-to-head test, taking all six Cinebench comparisons across R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The Intel Core i5-14401E records zero wins in the direct comparison, yet it still occupies a distinct position in the broader market based on its average benchmark score and nearest rivals.

The i5-14401E sits at the 60th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 5253. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 (average score 5259, delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i7-11700B (average score 5241, delta 0.2%), and the Intel Core i9-10850K (average score 5240, delta 0.2%). These are all roughly equivalent performers, meaning the i5-14401E lands in a crowded mid-range tier where small percentage differences separate chips. The i5-13400T, another low-power part, sits just 0.8% behind with a score of 5210.

The i9-14900T, by contrast, reaches the 90th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 51015. Its nearest rivals are substantially faster: the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 trails by 1.1%, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT by 0.6%, and the Intel Core i7-13850HX by 0.5%. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285T actually leads the i9-14900T by 0.6% with a score of 51310. This places the i9-14900T among high-end desktop and mobile workstation parts, a completely different competitive bracket from the i5-14401E.

The use-case split is therefore not about which chip wins specific tests, because the i9-14900T wins them all. Instead, the distinction comes from what each processor offers within its own performance tier. The i5-14401E provides a balanced six-core, twelve-thread configuration with a 65 W TDP, suited for mainstream desktop workloads where its 20 MB shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 memory support handle typical productivity tasks. The i9-14900T, with 24 cores, 32 threads, a 35 W TDP, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache, targets heavily threaded workloads such as rendering, compilation, and scientific computing, while its low power draw makes it viable in thermally constrained systems.

The Verdict

The data shows a decisive performance advantage for the Intel Core i9-14900T. In every Cinebench test, it leads by roughly 41%: the delta is -41% for all multi-core tests and -41.1% for both single-core R15 and R20 tests, with R23 single-core also at -41%. These are large, consistent margins that hold across different rendering workloads and scaling patterns. The i9-14900T delivers 30803 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 18161 for the i5-14401E, and 4348 in single-core versus 2564.

For users who prioritize maximum multi-threaded throughput, the i9-14900T is the clear choice from the recorded measurements. Its 24 cores and 32 threads, combined with a 5.50 GHz boost clock, produce scores at the 90th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i5-14401E, with 6 cores and 12 threads boosting to 4.70 GHz, reaches only the 60th percentile and trails every direct benchmark by a substantial margin.

However, the i5-14401E is not without merit in its own segment. Its average benchmark score of 5253 places it within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-11700B and i9-10850K, meaning it trades blows with older high-end parts. For a desktop user whose workloads align with that performance class, the i5-14401E offers comparable results to those established chips. The i9-14900T, meanwhile, competes with the Intel Core Ultra 9 285T and AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT, sitting within 0.6% of both. The verdict from the database is straightforward: the i9-14900T is the superior processor in every measured benchmark, and the i5-14401E is a competent mid-range option that matches its immediate rivals.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The six recorded head-to-head comparisons all favor the Intel Core i9-14900T, with consistent margins that indicate a fundamental architectural advantage rather than workload-specific quirks. Starting with Cinebench R15, the i9-14900T scores 3104 in multi-core against 1830 for the i5-14401E, a delta of -41%. In single-core R15, the i9-14900T scores 438 against 258, a delta of -41.1%.

Cinebench R20 shows the same pattern. The i9-14900T reaches 12937 in multi-core versus 7627, while single-core results are 1826 against 1076. Both deltas repeat at -41% and -41.1%, respectively. The most recent Cinebench R23 test confirms the trend: multi-core scores are 30803 for the i9-14900T and 18161 for the i5-14401E, with single-core at 4348 versus 2564. The multi-core delta sits at -41% and single-core at -41%.

These margins are remarkably uniform. The i9-14900T outperforms the i5-14401E by roughly 41% across every test, regardless of whether the workload scales across many cores or relies on a single thread. This consistency suggests that the i9-14900T's higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus 4.70 GHz, combined with its larger 36 MB L3 cache versus 20 MB, delivers a broad advantage that neither multi-core scaling nor single-core frequency can overcome for the i5-14401E.

The i9-14900T also has additional PassMark results not present for the i5-14401E, including data compression at 436066, integer math at 138149, floating point math at 92699, and single-thread performance at 4016. While these tests lack a direct comparison, they further illustrate the i9-14900T's capability in mixed workloads. The i5-14401E has no corresponding PassMark entries in the database, so its performance in those specific tasks cannot be quantified here.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900T has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How much faster is the i9-14900T in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The i9-14900T scores 30803 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is approximately 41% ahead of the i5-14401E's score of 18161.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900T boosts up to 5.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14401E boosts up to 4.70 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900T has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 20 MB for the Intel Core i5-14401E.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i5-14401E has a TDP of 65 W, while the i9-14900T has a TDP of 35 W, despite the i9 having significantly more cores.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals in the database?

A: The i5-14401E sits within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-11700B and i9-10850K, while the i9-14900T is within 0.6% of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285T and AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on Intel's 10 nm process and manufactured by Intel. They both use the Intel Socket 1700 and support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. Both also feature PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and both support ECC memory.

The core configurations diverge sharply. The i5-14401E uses 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i9-14900T uses 24 cores and 32 threads. This 4x core count difference explains the substantial multi-core performance gap. The i9-14900T also carries a larger die at 257 mm² versus 215 mm² for the i5-14401E, reflecting the additional cores and cache.

Cache hierarchies differ in both L2 and L3. Each core gets 80 KB of L1 in both chips, but the L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the i5-14401E versus 2 MB per core on the i9-14900T. The shared L3 cache is 20 MB on the i5 and 36 MB on the i9, giving the i9-14900T nearly double the last-level cache. This cache advantage contributes to the single-core performance lead, as more data can reside on-die.

Integrated graphics also differ: the i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the i9-14900T includes UHD Graphics 770. Both are integrated solutions, with the i9's variant offering higher-tier graphics capability within the same generation.

The TDP values are counterintuitive given the core count disparity. The i5-14401E has a 65 W TDP, while the i9-14900T has a 35 W TDP. The i9-14900T achieves its performance with a much lower base clock of 1.10 GHz versus 2.50 GHz for the i5, relying on a higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus 4.70 GHz to deliver peak performance. This makes the i9-14900T a power-efficient high-core-count option, while the i5-14401E uses a higher sustained base frequency with fewer cores.

Both processors are unlocked? No. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-14401E has a part number of Q49JSRNJS, while the i9-14900T is SRN3U. Release dates differ: the i5-14401E launched on 2024-06-30, and the i9-14900T on 2024-01-07. The i9-14900T has a launch MSRP of $549, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the i5-14401E. Both are currently listed as active production parts in the desktop market segment.