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

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-14401E and Intel Core i9-14901KE both belong to Intel's Core 14th Gen series, share the Raptor Lake architecture, and use the Raptor Lake-R codename. Both are built on Intel's 10 nm process node and target the Intel Socket 1700 platform. The similarities extend to memory support: both processors handle DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus, and both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is identical as well, with Gen 5 support and 16 lanes from the CPU.

The core configurations diverge significantly. The i5-14401E provides 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i9-14901KE doubles the core count to 8 cores and 16 threads. This thread advantage directly impacts multi-threaded workloads, as the i9 can process more parallel tasks simultaneously.

Clock speeds differ substantially between the two. The i5-14401E starts at a 2.50 GHz base clock and reaches 4.70 GHz boost. The i9-14901KE operates at a 3.80 GHz base clock and boosts to 5.80 GHz. The i9's higher base clock alone represents a 1.30 GHz advantage before boost behavior is considered.

Cache hierarchies show notable differences. Both processors allocate 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but L2 cache per core differs: the i5-14401E has 1.25 MB per core, while the i9-14901KE has 2 MB per core. The shared L3 cache presents a larger gap, with the i5 offering 20 MB shared and the i9 providing 36 MB shared. The i9's total cache capacity is substantially larger, which benefits workloads with repeated data access patterns.

Die size also differs. The i5-14401E measures 215 mm², while the i9-14901KE measures 257 mm². The larger die accommodates the additional cores and cache.

Integrated graphics differ between the two models. The i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the i9-14901KE includes UHD Graphics 770. Both are integrated solutions suitable for basic display output.

Thermal design power differs as well: the i5-14401E has a 65 W TDP, while the i9-14901KE has a 125 W TDP. The higher TDP reflects the i9's additional cores, higher clocks, and larger cache.

The multiplier unlock status separates these parts. The i5-14401E has a locked multiplier, while the i9-14901KE has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking on supported platforms.

Both processors launched on the same date, 2024-06-30, and both remain in active production. The part numbers are Q49JSRNJS for the i5-14401E and Q49DSRNJC for the i9-14901KE.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the comparison is complicated by an incomplete benchmark record. The i5-14401E has six recorded Cinebench scores across R15, R20, and R23 tests, with an average benchmark score of 5253. The i9-14901KE, however, has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, and its average benchmark score is listed as 0. The head-to-head benchmark table is empty, and neither processor records a win in the wins columns.

Despite the missing benchmark data for the i9-14901KE, the architectural specifications indicate which processor should be selected for which scenario. The i9-14901KE offers 2 additional cores, 4 additional threads, a 1.30 GHz higher base clock, a 1.10 GHz higher boost clock, 16 MB more shared L3 cache, and more L2 cache per core. These specifications suggest superior performance in multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads alike.

The i5-14401E carries a 65 W TDP compared to the i9's 125 W TDP. Systems with thermal or power constraints may favor the i5-14401E, as it delivers competitive performance within a lower thermal envelope.

The i9-14901KE also features an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking for users who want to extract additional performance beyond stock settings. The i5-14401E lacks this capability.

Based strictly on the available data, the i9-14901KE is the stronger processor on paper, with advantages in core count, clock speeds, cache capacity, and overclocking flexibility. The i5-14401E suits builds where lower power consumption takes priority.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data only covers the i5-14401E, so direct wins cannot be assigned from recorded measurements. The i9-14901KE has no benchmark entries, and the head-to-head section contains no results.

Inferred from specifications, the i9-14901KE should win in multi-core rendering tasks. Its 8 cores and 16 threads outperform the i5-14401E's 6 cores and 12 threads. The additional L3 cache, 36 MB versus 20 MB, further supports workloads that benefit from larger working sets.

The i9-14901KE should also win in single-core performance. Its 5.80 GHz boost clock exceeds the i5-14401E's 4.70 GHz boost by a wide margin. Higher boost clocks directly translate to faster single-thread execution, assuming comparable architecture efficiency per clock.

The i5-14401E wins in power efficiency. Its 65 W TDP is roughly half the i9-14901KE's 125 W TDP. For systems with modest cooling solutions or power delivery limits, the i5-14401E presents a lower thermal burden.

The i9-14901KE wins in overclocking capability. The unlocked multiplier allows manual frequency adjustment, while the i5-14401E's locked multiplier prevents such tuning.

The i5-14401E's integrated graphics, UHD Graphics 730, and the i9-14901KE's UHD Graphics 770 both support display output, but the i9's newer graphics tier may offer modest advantages in media features, though no specific benchmark data confirms this.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark results for these two processors. The head-to-head benchmarks array is empty, and the wins counters show 0 for both sides.

For the i5-14401E, the available Cinebench scores provide a reference point. In Cinebench R15, the i5-14401E scores 1830 in multi-core and 258 in single-core. In Cinebench R20, the scores are 7627 multi-core and 1076 single-core. In Cinebench R23, the scores are 18161 multi-core and 2564 single-core.

The i5-14401E's average benchmark score of 5253 places it at the 60th percentile among all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 with an average score of 5259 and a delta of -0.1%, the Intel Core i7-11700B with 5241 and a delta of 0.2%, the Intel Core i9-10850K with 5240 and a delta of 0.2%, and the Intel Core i5-13400T with 5210 and a delta of 0.8%. These deltas indicate the i5-14401E sits within a tight performance cluster, with less than 1% separating it from its nearest competitors.

The i9-14901KE's percentile is listed as 50, but with an average benchmark score of 0 and no recorded tests, this percentile cannot be interpreted as a measured result. The absence of data means the i9-14901KE's relative performance cannot be quantified from the database.

Given the i5-14401E's scores and the i9-14901KE's superior specifications, a hypothetical comparison would likely show the i9-leading in every Cinebench test. The i9's 8 cores versus 6 cores, combined with a 1.10 GHz boost advantage, suggests a multi-core lead of roughly 30% or more, though no exact figure can be cited from the data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901KE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The i5-14401E boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the i9-14901KE boosts to 5.80 GHz, a difference of 1.10 GHz.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Both the i5-14401E and the i9-14901KE support ECC memory, along with DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i9-14901KE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-14401E has 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Can the i5-14401E be overclocked?

A: No, the i5-14401E has a locked multiplier. The i9-14901KE has an unlocked multiplier, which permits overclocking.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i5-14401E has a 65 W TDP, while the i9-14901KE has a 125 W TDP.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-14401E | Intel Core i9-14901KE |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | false | true |

| Part Number | Q49JSRNJS | Q49DSRNJC |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 60 | 50 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 5253 | 0 |

The two processors share identical socket, architecture, codename, process node, foundry, memory support, memory bus, ECC support, PCIe configuration, market segment, production status, and release date. The specification differences above capture all fields where the two diverge in the recorded data.