Intel Core i5-14401E vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data presents a split picture that depends heavily on the benchmark generation. In the older Cinebench R15 suite, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 dominates both multi-core and single-core tests. It scores 4255 versus 1830 in multi-core, a 57% advantage for the Ultra 7. The single-core result follows the same pattern, with the Ultra 7 posting 600 against the i5-14401E's 258, again a 57% lead.

The Cinebench R20 results flip the narrative. Here, the Intel Core i5-14401E takes the win in both tests. In multi-core, the i5 scores 7627 against the Ultra 7's 6268, a 21.7% advantage. The single-core test shows the same delta, with the i5 at 1076 and the Ultra 7 at 884. This reversal is striking, as it shows the i5-14401E delivering higher scores in this particular workload generation despite having fewer cores and a lower boost clock.

The Cinebench R23 results return to the Ultra 7's favor, and the margin is substantial. The Ultra 7 scores 42216 in multi-core versus 18161 for the i5, a 57% gap. Single-core performance shows the Ultra 7 at 5960 against 2564, again a 57% difference. The consistency of the 57% delta across R15 and R23 suggests a fundamental throughput advantage for the Ultra 7 in those workloads, while the R20 outlier indicates that the i5-14401E can outperform in specific computational patterns.

Overall, the Ultra 7 265 wins four of the six head-to-head tests, while the i5-14401E wins two. The average benchmark score in the database reflects this hierarchy: the Ultra 7 sits at 64640, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-14401E averages 5253, good for the 60th percentile. The nearest rivals for the Ultra 7 include the AMD EPYC 4464P at 64823 (0.3% higher) and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F at 64438 (0.3% lower). The i5-14401E's closest competitors are the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 at 5259 (0.1% higher) and the Intel Core i7-11700B at 5241 (0.2% lower).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use fundamentally different designs. The Intel Core i5-14401E belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, and is built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The die size is 215 mm², and it fits the Intel Socket 1700.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 is part of the Core Ultra Series 2, uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-S codename, and is manufactured on a 3 nm process node at TSMC. It has 20 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The die contains 17,800 million transistors across a 243 mm² die, and it uses the Intel Socket 1851.

Cache configurations differ markedly. The i5-14401E provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 265 offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the Ultra 7 align with its higher core count and newer architecture.

Memory support also diverges. The i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the Ultra 7 265 supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but with a measured memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The i5-14401E supports ECC memory, while the Ultra 7 265 does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the i5 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 7 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

Integrated graphics differentiate the pair. The i5-14401E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 7 265 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 32 execution units. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are desktop market segments with active production status.

The Verdict

The data indicates two distinct performance profiles. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 is the stronger processor in the majority of recorded benchmarks, winning four of six head-to-head tests and placing in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42216 more than doubles the i5-14401E's 18161, and its single-core score of 5960 is more than double the i5's 2564. The Ultra 7 also carries a launch MSRP of $394.

The Intel Core i5-14401E, however, wins the Cinebench R20 tests by 21.7% in both single-core and multi-core. This suggests that in workloads that stress the computational patterns captured by R20, the i5-14401E can deliver higher throughput than the Ultra 7. Its 60th percentile ranking places it among mainstream desktop processors, and its 65 W TDP matches the Ultra 7's 65 W TDP despite the vast difference in core count.

From the recorded data, the Ultra 7 265 is the choice for users who prioritize raw multi-threaded performance in modern Cinebench versions and who need higher memory bandwidth. The i5-14401E appeals to scenarios where the R20 workload pattern is representative, and where ECC memory support is required. The i5 also uses the older Socket 1700 platform, which may matter for system compatibility.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 has 20 cores, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores.

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 boosts to 5.30 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14401E boosts to 4.70 GHz.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 does not support ECC.

Q: What process nodes are used?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E uses a 10 nm process at Intel. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 uses a 3 nm process at TSMC.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 has an average benchmark score of 64640, compared to 5253 for the Intel Core i5-14401E.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-14401E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 uses Intel Socket 1851.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 wins decisively in Cinebench R15 and R23, both multi-core and single-core. The 57% margin in these tests indicates a substantial performance advantage in workloads that scale with core count and modern instruction efficiency. Its 20 cores and 20 threads, combined with a 5.30 GHz boost clock, deliver the highest recorded scores in the database for this comparison. The Ultra 7 also holds the 93rd percentile ranking, placing it among the top tier of all CPUs in the database. Its 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth and 30 MB of shared L3 cache support data-intensive workloads. The PassMark results, available only for the Ultra 7, show strong integer math at 134773, floating point math at 172776, and data compression at 522983.

The Intel Core i5-14401E wins in Cinebench R20, both multi-core and single-core, with a 21.7% advantage. This specific workload pattern favors the i5's design, despite its lower core count and older architecture. The i5 also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, providing flexibility in memory selection. It includes ECC memory support, which the Ultra 7 lacks. Its smaller 215 mm² die and 65 W TDP match the Ultra 7's power envelope while using fewer cores. For users constrained to the Socket 1700 platform, the i5-14401E is the only option of the two.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 has 20 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are close, 2.50 GHz for the i5 and 2.40 GHz for the Ultra 7, but boost clocks differ by 0.60 GHz, with the Ultra 7 reaching 5.30 GHz and the i5 reaching 4.70 GHz.

The process node shifts from 10 nm at Intel for the i5 to 3 nm at TSMC for the Ultra 7. The Ultra 7 lists 17,800 million transistors, while the i5 has no transistor count recorded. Die size increases from 215 mm² to 243 mm². Cache per core grows from 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 on the i5 to 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 on the Ultra 7. Shared L3 cache increases from 20 MB to 30 MB.

Memory support narrows from DDR4 and DDR5 on the i5 to DDR5 only on the Ultra 7. The Ultra 7 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the i5 has no bandwidth figure recorded. ECC support exists only on the i5. PCIe lanes increase from 16 to 20, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics change from UHD Graphics 730 to Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 32EU. Sockets differ, 1700 versus 1851. Release dates are separated by roughly six months, with the i5 released in June 2024 and the Ultra 7 in January 2025. The Ultra 7 has a launch MSRP of $394, while the i5 has no recorded launch MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.