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

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-14401E and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF occupy completely different tiers of desktop performance. The database records show the Core Ultra 7 265KF wins every single head-to-head benchmark against the Core i5-14401E, across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore and singlecore tests. The Core Ultra 7 265KF sits in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core i5-14401E sits in the 60th percentile. For anyone building a high-performance desktop workstation or enthusiast gaming rig, the Core Ultra 7 265KF is the clear choice from the data. The Core i5-14401E remains a serviceable mainstream desktop processor, but it cannot match the Core Ultra 7 265KF in any recorded metric.

The Core i5-14401E is a 6-core, 12-thread Raptor Lake part on Intel Socket 1700. It has a 65 W TDP, a base clock of 2.50 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Core Ultra 7 265KF is a 20-core, 20-thread Arrow Lake-S part on Intel Socket 1851. It has a 125 W TDP, a base clock of 3.90 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Core Ultra 7 265KF also carries a launch MSRP of $379, while the Core i5-14401E has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. Given the benchmark data, the Core Ultra 7 265KF delivers between 2.5 and 2.7 times the multicore score of the Core i5-14401E in every Cinebench test.

The choice depends on the workload. For heavily threaded tasks such as rendering, compilation, or scientific computing, the Core Ultra 7 265KF is overwhelmingly superior. For lighter workloads or single-threaded applications, the Core Ultra 7 265KF still leads by a large margin in singlecore tests, though the gap is smaller than in multicore. The Core i5-14401E could suffice for basic desktop use, but the data gives no scenario where it outperforms the Core Ultra 7 265KF.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures and foundries. The Core i5-14401E uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series. Its process node is 10 nm, and Intel is the foundry. The Core Ultra 7 265KF uses Arrow Lake, specifically Arrow Lake-S, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2. Its process node is 3 nm, and TSMC is the foundry. This process difference likely contributes to the Core Ultra 7 265KF's higher transistor density and efficiency characteristics, though the database does not record direct efficiency numbers.

The Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Core Ultra 7 265KF has 20 cores and 20 threads. This is a fundamental difference: the Core i5-14401E relies on hyperthreading to reach 12 threads from 6 physical cores, while the Core Ultra 7 265KF has 20 physical cores and no hyperthreading, yielding 20 threads. The Core Ultra 7 265KF's core count advantage is substantial and directly reflected in its multicore benchmark dominance.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The Core i5-14401E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 265KF has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 265KF has larger per-core caches and a larger shared L3 pool, which supports its higher performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

The Core Ultra 7 265KF uses a different socket, Intel Socket 1851, compared to the Core i5-14401E's Intel Socket 1700. This means the two processors are not platform-compatible. The Core Ultra 7 265KF also reports a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm². The Core i5-14401E has no recorded transistor count but a die size of 215 mm². The Core Ultra 7 265KF is built on a smaller process node yet has a larger die, consistent with its much higher core count.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730. The Core Ultra 7 265KF has no integrated graphics, recorded as N/A. This means the Core Ultra 7 265KF requires a discrete graphics card for display output, while the Core i5-14401E can run with a basic display adapter. Memory support also differs: the Core i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 7 265KF supports only DDR5. The Core Ultra 7 265KF records a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the Core i5-14401E has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

ECC memory support is present on the Core i5-14401E but absent on the Core Ultra 7 265KF. The Core Ultra 7 265KF has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core i5-14401E does not. PCIe support shows the Core i5-14401E with Gen 5, 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 7 265KF has Gen 5, 20 lanes (CPU only). Release dates in the database are June 30, 2024 for the Core i5-14401E and October 23, 2024 for the Core Ultra 7 265KF. Both are listed as Active in production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons. The Core Ultra 7 265KF wins all six. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core i5-14401E scores 1830, while the Core Ultra 7 265KF scores 5013, a 63.5% difference in favor of the Core Ultra 7 265KF. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, the Core i5-14401E scores 258, while the Core Ultra 7 265KF scores 707, again a 63.5% difference. The identical delta percentages across all six tests indicate a consistent relative performance gap.

Cinebench R20 multicore shows the Core i5-14401E at 7627 and the Core Ultra 7 265KF at 20889. Cinebench R20 singlecore shows 1076 versus 2948. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 18161 versus 49736. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 2564 versus 7021. In every case, the Core Ultra 7 265KF delivers roughly 2.7 times the score in multicore and roughly 2.7 times the score in singlecore. The 63.5% delta is constant across the entire Cinebench suite, which suggests a uniform performance scaling advantage rather than workload-specific behavior.

The Core Ultra 7 265KF also has additional benchmark data not recorded for the Core i5-14401E. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 22913, and in Geekbench singlecore, 2759. Passmark tests show strong results: multithread 58518, single thread 4928, integer math 143351, floating point math 189431, find prime numbers 486, data compression 666589, data encryption 48198, extended instructions 54513, random string sorting 79735, and physics 3633. These extra benchmarks confirm the Core Ultra 7 265KF's capability across varied workloads, but they do not have corresponding Core i5-14401E scores for direct comparison.

The average benchmark score in the database is 5253 for the Core i5-14401E and 71910 for the Core Ultra 7 265KF. The Core Ultra 7 265KF's average is over 13 times higher, though this includes a broader set of benchmarks for the Core Ultra 7 265KF. The nearest rivals for the Core i5-14401E include the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 (average score 5259, delta -0.1%), Intel Core i7-11700B (5241, delta 0.2%), Intel Core i9-10850K (5240, delta 0.2%), and Intel Core i5-13400T (5210, delta 0.8%). The Core i5-14401E sits within 1% of these four CPUs. The nearest rivals for the Core Ultra 7 265KF include the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX (71797, delta 0.2%), Intel Xeon 6517P (72350, delta -0.6%), Intel Xeon 6724P (72396, delta -0.7%), and Intel Xeon Platinum 8270 (71370, delta 0.8%). The Core Ultra 7 265KF sits within 1% of these high-end server and workstation parts.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field recorded in the database. Cores: 6 versus 20. Threads: 12 versus 20. Base clock: 2.50 GHz versus 3.90 GHz. Boost clock: 4.70 GHz versus 5.50 GHz. TDP: 65 W versus 125 W. Socket: Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel Socket 1851. Architecture: Raptor Lake versus Arrow Lake. Codename: Raptor Lake-R versus Arrow Lake-S. Generation: Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) versus Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake). Process node: 10 nm versus 3 nm. Foundry: Intel versus TSMC. Die size: 215 mm² versus 243 mm². Transistors: not recorded versus 17,800 million.

Cache: L1 per core 80 KB versus 192 KB. L2 per core 1.25 MB versus 3 MB. L3 shared 20 MB versus 30 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 versus DDR5 only. Memory bus: dual-channel for both. Memory bandwidth: not recorded versus 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory: true versus false. PCIe: Gen 5, 16 lanes versus Gen 5, 20 lanes. Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 versus N/A. Market segment: Desktop for both. Production status: Active for both. Release date: 2024-06-30 versus 2024-10-23. Launch MSRP: not recorded versus $379. Multiplier unlocked: false versus true. Part number: Q49JSRNJS versus SRQCU.

The Core Ultra 7 265KF also has an extra benchmark category: Geekbench and Passmark tests that are not present for the Core i5-14401E. This gives the Core Ultra 7 265KF a much larger benchmark footprint in the database. The percentile ranking also diverges sharply: 60th percentile versus 94th percentile.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265KF has 20 cores and 20 threads. The Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 7 265KF support DDR4 memory?

A: No. The database records DDR5 as the only memory support for the Core Ultra 7 265KF. The Core i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730. The Core Ultra 7 265KF has no integrated graphics, recorded as N/A.

Q: How much faster is the Core Ultra 7 265KF in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265KF scores 49736, while the Core i5-14401E scores 18161. The difference is 63.5% in favor of the Core Ultra 7 265KF.

Q: Are these CPUs compatible with the same motherboard socket?

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

Q: Which CPU has ECC memory support?

A: The Core i5-14401E has ECC memory support recorded as true. The Core Ultra 7 265KF has ECC memory support recorded as false.

Q: What is the clock speed difference?

A: The Core i5-14401E has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Core Ultra 7 265KF has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 7 265KF wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. It has no losses to the Core i5-14401E in any head-to-head test. The six Cinebench tests all go to the Core Ultra 7 265KF with a consistent 63.5% margin. Beyond those, the Core Ultra 7 265KF posts strong scores in Geekbench and Passmark suites, including a 22913 in Geekbench multicore, 2759 in Geekbench singlecore, 58518 in Passmark multithread, and 4928 in Passmark single thread. These numbers indicate a processor capable of handling both heavily threaded workloads and single-threaded tasks with high efficiency.

The Core i5-14401E wins no benchmark comparisons. Its strengths are limited to characteristics not measured by raw performance scores. It supports DDR4 memory, which can be a cost and availability advantage on older platforms. It has integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is not mandatory for basic display output. It has ECC memory support, which matters for certain reliability-focused builds. Its 65 W TDP is lower than the 125 W TDP of the Core Ultra 7 265KF, suggesting lower power consumption, though the database does not record direct power draw measurements. It uses Intel Socket 1700, which is an older platform with a wider range of existing motherboards.

For use-case selection, the data points to the Core Ultra 7 265KF for any performance-sensitive desktop build. The 20 cores and 20 threads, combined with a 5.50 GHz boost clock, deliver dominant multicore and singlecore results. The 94th percentile ranking places it among the top desktop CPUs in the database. The Core i5-14401E, at the 60th percentile, serves as a mainstream option that trails significantly. Its 6 cores and 12 threads are adequate for basic multitasking and light productivity, but the benchmark scores show it cannot keep pace with the Core Ultra 7 265KF in any recorded test.

The Core Ultra 7 265KF also benefits from a newer process node, larger caches, higher memory bandwidth, and more PCIe lanes. Its unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, though the database does not provide overclocked benchmark results. The Core i5-14401E has no such unlocking capability. The Core Ultra 7 265KF's launch MSRP of $379 is recorded in the database, but the Core i5-14401E has no launch MSRP, so a direct price comparison is not possible from the data.

For a builder choosing between these two, the decision hinges on platform requirements and performance needs. The Core Ultra 7 265KF is the superior processor in every measured metric. The Core i5-14401E remains a viable lower-power, integrated-graphics option with DDR4 support and ECC capability, but its performance ceiling is far below that of the Core Ultra 7 265KF. The database shows no scenario where the Core i5-14401E takes a win, so the Core Ultra 7 265KF is the recommended choice for anyone prioritizing benchmark performance.