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

The Intel Core i5-14401E and Intel Core Ultra 7 265K occupy very different positions in the desktop CPU landscape. The i5-14401E is a 6-core Raptor Lake part aimed at mainstream workloads, while the Ultra 7 265K is a 20-core Arrow Lake flagship-tier processor. The recorded benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the single-core result tells a different story. This analysis breaks down where each processor wins, what the architectural changes mean, and which workloads favor which chip.

Where Each One Wins

The data split is decisive: the Ultra 7 265K wins 5 of the 6 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the i5-14401E wins only 1. That single win, however, is notable.

The Ultra 7 265K dominates every multi-core test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 5020 against the i5-14401E’s 1830, a difference of 63.5%. The R20 multi-core result shows the same gap: 20918 versus 7627, again 63.5% behind. Cinebench R23 multi-core narrows that gap slightly to 49.3%, with the Ultra 7 scoring 35850 versus 18161. These are heavily threaded workloads, and the Ultra 7’s 20 cores versus 6 cores explains the margin.

The i5-14401E takes the R23 single-core test. It scores 2564, while the Ultra 7 manages only 2020. That is a 26.9% advantage for the older chip. This result stands out because the Ultra 7 has a higher boost clock, but the recorded data shows the Raptor Lake part delivers better single-thread performance in this specific test.

For everyday computing, the Ultra 7’s broader lead is evident. Its average benchmark score is 70879, placing it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-14401E averages 5253, sitting at the 60th percentile. The gap in average score is enormous, reflecting the Ultra 7’s suitability for rendering, compilation, and other multi-threaded tasks. The i5-14401E remains competitive for single-thread-sensitive applications, but the data indicates it is outclassed in almost every other scenario.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations with distinct designs. The i5-14401E uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on Intel’s 10 nm process. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to reach that thread count. The die size is 215 mm². The Ultra 7 265K uses Arrow Lake-S, fabricated on TSMC’s 3 nm node, with 20 cores and 20 threads. It does not use Hyper-Threading, which is why the thread count equals the core count. Its die is 243 mm² and contains 17,800 million transistors.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The i5-14401E has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 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 support its higher core count and more complex scheduling.

Memory support also diverges. The i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Ultra 7 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, a figure not listed for the i5. The i5-14401E uses Intel Socket 1700, whereas the Ultra 7 requires Intel Socket 1851, meaning they are not interchangeable in existing motherboards.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 7 features Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The Ultra 7 also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, compared to 16 lanes on the i5. Both support ECC memory, which is relevant for workstation use.

The process node shift from 10 nm to 3 nm and the move from Intel’s foundry to TSMC represent a major architectural overhaul. The Ultra 7’s 20 cores are split between performance and efficiency cores, though the exact split is not recorded. The i5-14401E’s 6 cores are all performance-class, but the higher thread count per core does not compensate for the raw core deficit in multi-threaded tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the Ultra 7 comes in Cinebench R20 multi-core. It scores 20918 against the i5-14401E’s 7627, a 63.5% advantage. The R15 multi-core test shows a nearly identical margin: 5020 versus 1830, also 63.5% behind. R15 single-core is similar, with the Ultra 7 at 708 and the i5 at 258, another 63.6% gap. These three tests all show the Ultra 7 roughly 1.7 times faster than the i5.

Cinebench R23 multi-core narrows the gap to 49.3%. The Ultra 7 scores 35850, while the i5-14401E reaches 18161. This is still a substantial win, but the smaller delta suggests the R23 workload scales differently with the Ultra 7’s core layout. The R23 single-core test flips the result: the i5-14401E scores 2564, beating the Ultra 7’s 2020 by 26.9%. This is the only test where the i5 wins, and the margin is significant enough that single-thread performance should not be dismissed.

The Ultra 7 also has additional benchmark data beyond the Cinebench suite. Its Geekbench multi-core score is 23085 and single-core is 2713. PassMark tests show strengths in integer math (143242), floating-point math (189629), and multithread performance (58594). The i5-14401E has no recorded Geekbench or PassMark scores, so direct comparison is limited to the Cinebench tests. The average benchmark score difference, 70879 versus 5253, reinforces that the Ultra 7 is in a different performance class.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-14401E | Intel Core Ultra 7 265K |

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

| Cores | 6 | 20 |

| Threads | 12 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $394 |

| Release Date | 2024-06-30 | 2024-10-23 |

The clock speeds favor the Ultra 7 in both base (3.90 GHz versus 2.50 GHz) and boost (5.50 GHz versus 4.70 GHz). The TDP is nearly double, 125 W versus 65 W, which reflects the higher core count. The Ultra 7 is unlocked for overclocking, while the i5-14401E is locked. The i5 supports DDR4, which lowers platform cost, but the Ultra 7’s higher memory bandwidth may benefit memory-intensive workloads. The Ultra 7 also has more PCIe lanes and a newer integrated GPU.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K has 20 cores, compared to 6 cores on the Intel Core i5-14401E. The Ultra 7 also has 20 threads, while the i5 has 12 threads.

Q: Why does the i5-14401E win the Cinebench R23 single-core test?

A: The recorded score for the i5-14401E is 2564, versus 2020 for the Ultra 7 265K. That is a 26.9% advantage. The data does not explain the cause, but the result is consistent across the recorded measurement.

Q: Does the Ultra 7 265K support DDR4 memory?

A: No. The Ultra 7 265K supports DDR5 only. The i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Are these two processors socket-compatible?

A: No. The i5-14401E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 7 265K uses Intel Socket 1851. They require different motherboards.

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

A: The Ultra 7 265K has an average benchmark score of 70879, placing it in the 94th percentile. The i5-14401E averages 5253, at the 60th percentile.

Q: Is the Ultra 7 265K overclockable?

A: Yes, the Ultra 7 265K has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-14401E does not.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous for multi-threaded workloads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is the stronger processor in 5 of the 6 head-to-head tests, with margins between 49.3% and 63.6% in Cinebench multi-core and single-core tests. Its 20 cores and 20 threads, combined with a 30 MB L3 cache and 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, deliver performance that places it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-14401E, at the 60th percentile, cannot compete in rendering, encoding, or other parallel tasks.

The single exception is Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i5-14401E leads by 26.9%. This result suggests that for older or lightly threaded applications, the Raptor Lake architecture retains an edge in per-core performance. The i5-14401E also supports DDR4, which may appeal to users with existing memory.

The Ultra 7 265K demands a new Socket 1851 platform and DDR5 memory, but it offers a higher boost clock, more PCIe lanes, a newer integrated GPU, and overclocking support. The launch MSRP of $394 places it in the high-end desktop segment. The i5-14401E has no recorded launch MSRP, so direct price comparison is not possible from the data.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded performance, the Ultra 7 265K is the clear choice. For those with single-thread-sensitive workloads or existing DDR4 infrastructure, the i5-14401E holds a specific advantage. The data does not support any other conclusion.