Intel Core i5-14401E vs Intel Core i9-14901E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive advantage for the Intel Core i9-14901E across every recorded test. The i5-14401E does not win a single comparison in the head-to-head results. The i9-14901E leads by a consistent margin of 29.5% in each of the six Cinebench tests, a uniformity that suggests a fundamental performance gap rather than workload-specific behavior.

In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i9-14901E scores 25753 against the i5-14401E's 18161. That translates to a 29.5% advantage for the i9. The single-core R23 result follows the same pattern: 3635 for the i9 versus 2564 for the i5, again a 29.5% delta. This consistency across both multicore and single-core tests indicates the i9's advantage is not merely a matter of additional cores, but also of higher per-thread performance.

Cinebench R20 tells the same story. The i9-14901E delivers 10816 in multicore, while the i5-14401E manages 7627. The single-core R20 result is 1526 for the i9 and 1076 for the i5. Both deltas sit at 29.5%. In Cinebench R15, the i9-14901E records 2595 multicore and 366 single-core, compared to the i5-14401E's 1830 and 258. Once more, the 29.5% gap holds.

The i9-14901E also carries additional benchmark data beyond the Cinebench suite. PassMark results show 288777 in data compression, 18571 in data encryption, 17249 in extended instructions, 189 in prime number finding, 81089 in floating point math, 112736 in integer math, 30298 in multithread, 3041 in physics, 39138 in random string sorting, and 4354 in single-thread tests. The i5-14401E has no equivalent PassMark entries in the database, so direct comparison on those workloads is not possible.

The average benchmark score reinforces the hierarchy. The i9-14901E posts an average score of 37911, while the i5-14401E averages 5253. That difference is substantial. The i9-14901E sits at the 86th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the i5-14401E sits at the 60th percentile. The nearest rivals for each processor further clarify their respective positions. The i5-14401E trades blows with the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 (0.1% behind), the Intel Core i7-11700B (0.2% ahead), the Intel Core i9-10850K (0.2% ahead), and the Intel Core i5-13400T (0.8% ahead). The i9-14901E, by contrast, matches the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (0% delta), sits 0.1% behind the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, leads the Intel Core 5 211E by 0.2%, and leads the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 by 0.3%.

The data indicates that the i9-14901E belongs to a significantly higher performance tier. Its nearest rivals are modern high-end parts, while the i5-14401E competes with older or lower-tier processors.

The Verdict

The recorded data leaves little ambiguity. The Intel Core i9-14901E outperforms the Intel Core i5-14401E by 29.5% in every head-to-head Cinebench test. The i9-14901E offers 8 cores and 16 threads, a 2.80 GHz base clock, a 5.60 GHz boost clock, 36 MB of shared L3 cache, and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The i5-14401E offers 6 cores and 12 threads, a 2.50 GHz base clock, a 4.70 GHz boost clock, 20 MB of shared L3 cache, and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. Every specification difference favors the i9.

For workloads that rely on multi-threaded rendering, the i9-14901E's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25753 versus the i5-14401E's 18161 means roughly 42% more absolute performance. For single-threaded tasks, the i9's R23 single-core score of 3635 versus 2564 gives it a similar proportional edge. The i9-14901E also includes a stronger integrated GPU, UHD Graphics 770, compared to the UHD Graphics 730 on the i5-14401E.

The i5-14401E remains a functional desktop processor. Its 60th percentile standing and average score of 5253 place it near established parts like the Core i9-10850K and the Xeon E5-2699A v4. It can handle the workloads those processors handle. But the i9-14901E is the clear choice for anyone prioritizing raw performance, as it sits at the 86th percentile and matches modern AMD parts like the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.

Both processors use the Intel Socket 1700, support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, include ECC memory support, and provide PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Both are built on Intel's 10 nm process and use the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both were released on the same date and remain in active production.

The decision comes down to performance needs. The i9-14901E delivers top-tier results in the database, while the i5-14401E delivers mid-range results. The data does not show any workload where the i5-14401E comes ahead.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E scores 25753, while the Intel Core i5-14401E scores 18161. The i9-14901E leads by 29.5%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The i9-14901E leads by 29.5% in every Cinebench single-core test. In R23, the i9-14901E scores 3635 versus 2564 for the i5-14401E.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E has an average benchmark score of 37911, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has an average benchmark score of 5253.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-14401E and the Intel Core i9-14901E support ECC memory.

Q: What integrated graphics do the two processors use?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Intel Core i9-14901E uses UHD Graphics 770.

Q: Are both processors in active production?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-14401E and the Intel Core i9-14901E have an active production status.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core i9-14901E and Intel Core i5-14401E differ in several core specifications. The i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i9-14901E has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The i5-14401E has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. Both have a TDP of 65.

The cache configurations differ as well. The i9-14901E has 2 MB of L2 cache per core and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-14401E has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The die size also differs: the i9-14901E measures 257 mm², while the i5-14401E measures 215 mm².

The integrated graphics differ. The i9-14901E includes UHD Graphics 770, while the i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730. The part numbers are also different: Q49ESRNJH for the i9-14901E and Q49JSRNJS for the i5-14401E.

Both processors share the same socket (Intel Socket 1700), memory support (DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel), PCIe configuration (Gen 5, 16 lanes CPU only), ECC support, process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), architecture (Raptor Lake), codename (Raptor Lake-R), and release date.

Architecture Differences

Both the Intel Core i5-14401E and the Intel Core i9-14901E are built on the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, using Intel's 10 nm process and Intel as the foundry. The core counts differ, with the i9-14901E featuring 8 cores and 16 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads on the i5-14401E. This accounts for part of the performance gap, but not all of it. The i9-14901E also has a higher base clock (2.80 GHz versus 2.50 GHz) and a substantially higher boost clock (5.60 GHz versus 4.70 GHz).

The cache hierarchy differs in capacity. The i9-14901E provides 2 MB of L2 cache per core, compared to 1.25 MB per core on the i5-14401E. The shared L3 cache is 36 MB on the i9-14901E versus 20 MB on the i5-14401E. The larger L3 cache on the i9-14901E can improve performance in workloads that benefit from larger working sets residing closer to the cores.

The i9-14901E uses the UHD Graphics 770 integrated GPU, while the i5-14401E uses the UHD Graphics 730. Both processors support ECC memory, dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5, and PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported through the multiplier.

The die size reflects the additional resources on the i9-14901E: 257 mm² versus 215 mm² on the i5-14401E. Both processors are part of the Core 14th Gen series, belong to the Raptor Lake Refresh generation, and target the desktop market segment. They share the same release date and active production status. The architectural similarities mean that the performance difference comes down to core count, clock speeds, and cache capacity, all of which favor the i9-14901E.