Intel Core i5-14401E vs Intel Core i9-9820X Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-9820X has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i9 offers 4 more cores and 8 more threads.

Q: How do their single-core benchmark scores compare?

A: The Core i5-14401E wins every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2564 versus 2464 for the Core i9-9820X, a 4.1% advantage. The R20 single-core test shows 1076 versus 1034, also a 4.1% lead.

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i9-9820X boosts to 4.20 GHz. The i5 also has a lower base clock at 2.50 GHz compared to 3.30 GHz for the i9.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Core i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. The Core i9-9820X supports only DDR4 but uses a quad-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-14401E includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 730. The Intel Core i9-9820X has no integrated graphics unit listed in the database.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E is listed as Active production, released in 2024. The Intel Core i9-9820X is End-of-life, released in 2018. The i9's launch MSRP was $889.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-14401E is built on Raptor Lake-R, part of the Core 14th Gen family, using a 10 nm process node from Intel with a die size of 215 mm². The Intel Core i9-9820X uses the older Skylake-X architecture, part of the X-Series 9th Gen lineup, fabricated on a 14 nm process. The process node difference is substantial: the i5 uses a smaller 10 nm node versus the i9's 14 nm node, which partially explains how the i5 can deliver competitive or superior performance with fewer cores.

Cache layouts differ noticeably. The i5-14401E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-9820X has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16.5 MB of shared L3. Even though the i9 has more cores, the i5's larger per-core cache and bigger L3 pool give it a structural advantage in workloads that respond to cache capacity.

Platform features also separate the two. The i5-14401E uses Intel Socket 1700, supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, includes ECC memory support, and offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The i9-9820X uses Intel Socket 2066, supports only DDR4, has no ECC support, and provides PCIe Gen 3 with 44 CPU lanes. The i9's quad-channel memory controller provides 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, a feature the i5 lacks on paper since its memory bandwidth is not recorded. The i9 also has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5 is locked. The i5 includes UHD Graphics 730; the i9 has no integrated graphics.

Power and thermal envelopes diverge sharply. The i5-14401E is rated at 65 W TDP, while the i9-9820X is rated at 165 W TDP. The i9 draws considerably more power to feed its 10 cores and quad-channel memory subsystem. The i5, despite a lower TDP and fewer cores, manages to outpace the i9 in every recorded benchmark in the head-to-head comparison.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-14401E wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests against the Intel Core i9-9820X. In multicore workloads, the i5's smaller core count does not hold it back. It scores 18161 in Cinebench R23 multicore versus 17459 for the i9, a 4% lead. This result is notable because the i9 has 10 cores and 20 threads compared to the i5's 6 cores and 12 threads, yet the newer architecture and higher boost clock carry the i5 ahead.

For single-threaded tasks, the i5-14401E is also the clear choice. Its R23 single-core score of 2564 beats the i9's 2464 by 4.1%. The i5's 4.70 GHz boost clock versus 4.20 GHz for the i9 explains part of this gap, as does the newer Raptor Lake core design.

Who should pick the i5-14401E? Any user prioritizing raw Cinebench performance, lower power consumption at 65 W TPD, modern platform features like DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5, integrated graphics, and ECC memory support. The data shows it is faster in every measured category while consuming far less power on paper.

Who should pick the i9-9820X? The case is narrower. It offers 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, which is more than the i5's 16 Gen 5 lanes, and its quad-channel memory delivers 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth. Users with workloads that demand extensive PCIe lane expansion or very high memory bandwidth might prefer the i9. The unlocked multiplier also appeals to users who want to overclock, though the recorded benchmarks reflect stock performance. Production status matters too: the i5 is Active, while the i9 is End-of-life, so long-term availability favors the i5.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every major specification category. The i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i9-9820X has 10 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for the i5 and 3.30 GHz for the i9, but boost clocks reverse the order: 4.70 GHz for the i5 versus 4.20 GHz for the i9. TDP ratings are 65 W and 165 W respectively.

The i5 uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process with a 215 mm² die. The i9 uses Skylake on a 14 nm process with no recorded die size. Cache hierarchies differ: the i5 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3; the i9 has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16.5 MB shared L3.

Memory support splits along generation lines. The i5 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode and includes ECC. The i9 supports only DDR4 in quad-channel mode with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. PCIe capabilities differ: the i5 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes, the i9 offers Gen 3 with 44 lanes. The i5 has UHD Graphics 730; the i9 has none. The i5 is locked, the i9 is unlocked. The i5 uses Socket 1700, the i9 uses Socket 2066. Release dates are 2024 for the i5 and 2018 for the i9. The i9's launch MSRP was $889; the i5 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Every recorded benchmark in the head-to-head comparison favors the Intel Core i5-14401E. The results are consistent across all three Cinebench versions and both single-core and multicore tests.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5 scores 1830 against 1759 for the i9, a 4% advantage. The R15 single-core test shows the i5 at 258 and the i9 at 248, again a 4% lead. These are the smallest absolute gaps in the set, but they still represent clear wins for the i5.

Cinebench R20 widens the gap slightly. The multicore test has the i5 at 7627 and the i9 at 7332, a 4% difference. The single-core test shows 1076 for the i5 versus 1034 for the i9, a 4.1% margin. The single-core advantage grows from 4% in R15 to 4.1% in R20, suggesting the i5's architectural efficiency becomes more pronounced in newer workloads.

Cinebench R23 shows the largest absolute differences. The multicore test has the i5 at 18161 and the i9 at 17459, a 4% lead. The single-core test has the i5 at 2564 and the i9 at 2464, a 4.1% margin. The multicore gap of 702 points in R23 is the largest absolute difference in the comparison, despite the i9 having 4 more cores and 8 more threads.

The percentile rankings place both CPUs at the 60th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The average benchmark scores are close: 5253 for the i5 and 5049 for the i9. The i5's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 (5259, delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i7-11700B (5241, delta +0.2%), the Intel Core i9-10850K (5240, delta +0.2%), and the Intel Core i5-13400T (5210, delta +0.8%). The i9's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-12900TE (5050, delta 0%), the Intel Xeon Gold 6334 (5043, delta +0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE (5070, delta -0.4%), and the Intel Xeon W-2155 (5072, delta -0.5%). The i5's average score of 5253 sits 204 points above the i9's 5049.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14401E wins in every Cinebench category recorded in the database. This makes it the stronger choice for CPU-bound rendering and compute workloads as measured by Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. Its wins span both single-core and multicore tests, so users with mixed workloads that include heavily threaded rendering plus single-threaded responsiveness will see the i5 finish ahead across the board.

The i5 also wins on platform modernity. It supports DDR5 memory, PCIe Gen 5, integrated graphics, and ECC memory. It runs at a 65 W TDP, which is less than half the i9's 165 W rating. For system builders prioritizing efficiency, integrated graphics for basic display output, and current socket compatibility with Intel Socket 1700, the i5 is the data-supported pick.

The Intel Core i9-9820X does not win any recorded benchmark, but it holds advantages in specific platform capabilities. Its 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes vastly exceed the i5's 16 Gen 5 lanes, so systems requiring many expansion cards, NVMe drives, or other PCIe devices may prefer the i9. Its quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth provides a memory throughput capability that the i5's dual-channel setup does not match in recorded specifications. The unlocked multiplier gives overclocking headroom, though the recorded benchmark data reflects stock settings.

The i9 also offers more raw core and thread count: 10 cores and 20 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads. In workloads not represented by the Cinebench suite, such as heavily parallel tasks that scale perfectly with core count and are not limited by per-core performance, the i9 could potentially close the gap or take a lead. The recorded data, however, does not include any such test, and in all measured scenarios the i5 wins.

For longevity, the i5 is Active while the i9 is End-of-life. The i5's 2024 release date versus the i9's 2018 release date suggests longer potential support and availability. The i5 also includes UHD Graphics 730, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic display scenarios.

In summary, the i5-14401E is the benchmark winner in every recorded test and offers a more modern, efficient platform. The i9-9820X retains niche appeal for users who need wide PCIe lane counts, quad-channel memory bandwidth, or an unlocked multiplier, but the data shows no performance category where it beats the i5.