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

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data draws a clear line between these two desktop processors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265T wins every single recorded head-to-head comparison, taking all six Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i5-14401E does not win a single benchmark in the database. The Ultra 7 265T leads by a consistent margin of roughly 42.5% across both single-core and multi-core workloads, which indicates a fundamental performance gap rather than a workload-specific advantage.

The single-core results show the Ultra 7 265T at 4455 in Cinebench R23, compared to 2564 for the i5-14401E. That gap persists in older Cinebench versions, with the Ultra 7 posting 449 in R15 single-core against 258, and 1871 in R20 single-core against 1076. Multi-core results follow the same pattern, with the Ultra 7 reaching 31558 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 18161, and 13254 in R20 multi-core versus 7627. The consistency across every test suggests the Ultra 7 holds an architectural advantage that applies broadly, not just in specific instruction patterns.

For use-case segmentation, the i5-14401E remains a functional desktop part, but the data positions it as the lower performer in every measurable category. The Ultra 7 265T, with its 90th percentile ranking across all CPUs, occupies a much higher performance tier. The i5-14401E sits at the 60th percentile. That 30-point percentile gap translates directly into the benchmark deltas observed.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations and manufacturing approaches. The i5-14401E uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process fabricated by Intel, while the Ultra 7 265T uses Arrow Lake architecture on a 3 nm process fabricated by TSMC. The node difference alone explains much of the performance and efficiency gap.

Core counts diverge sharply. The i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, a conventional setup with hyperthreading. The Ultra 7 265T has 20 cores and 20 threads, with no hyperthreading. Despite having fewer threads than cores, the Ultra 7 still dominates multi-core workloads because its 20 physical cores vastly outnumber the i5's 6 physical cores.

Cache hierarchies also differ. 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 265T offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7's larger caches at every level support its higher throughput.

Memory support separates the two as well. The i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 265T supports DDR5 only. The Ultra 7 also lists a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, a figure the i5 does not specify in the database. ECC memory is supported on the i5 but not on the Ultra 7.

The integrated graphics differ. The i5-14401E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 7 265T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Ultra 7's newer GPU architecture represents a substantial upgrade for systems relying on integrated graphics.

Socket compatibility changes entirely. The i5-14401E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 7 265T uses Intel Socket 1851. These are not interchangeable, requiring different motherboards. PCIe lanes also differ, with the i5 offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes and the Ultra 7 offering Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

Clock speeds show an interesting trade-off. The i5-14401E has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, but the Ultra 7 has a higher boost clock at 5.30 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. The Ultra 7's lower base clock likely contributes to its much lower 35 W TDP, compared to 65 W for the i5.

The Ultra 7 265T contains 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The i5-14401E has a 215 mm² die with no transistor count listed. The Ultra 7's transistor density reflects the more advanced 3 nm process.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

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

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra 7 265T scores 31558 versus 18161 for the i5-14401E, a 42.5% advantage. The same 42.5% delta appears in R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The i5-14401E supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 265T supports DDR5 only. The Ultra 7 also has a listed memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, which the i5 does not specify.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboards?

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

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Ultra 7 265T boosts to 5.30 GHz, while the i5-14401E boosts to 4.70 GHz. The i5 has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz versus 1.50 GHz.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference?

A: The i5-14401E has a 65 W TDP, while the Ultra 7 265T has a 35 W TDP. The Ultra 7 delivers substantially higher performance while consuming less thermal budget.

Specification Differences

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

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

| Cores | 6 | 20 |

| Threads | 12 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Arrow Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 243 mm² |

| 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 listed | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

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

| Release Date | 2024-06-30 | 2025-01-06 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $384 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite provides six direct comparisons, and the Ultra 7 265T wins all of them by nearly identical margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ultra 7 scores 3180 against 1830, a 42.5% lead. The R15 single-core test shows 449 versus 258, also 42.5%. This consistency suggests the performance advantage scales uniformly across both lightly threaded and heavily threaded workloads.

Cinebench R20 repeats the pattern. Multi-core results show 13254 for the Ultra 7 versus 7627 for the i5, a 42.5% gap. Single-core shows 1871 versus 1076, again 42.5%. The identical delta percentages across R15 and R20 indicate that neither architectural generation has a specific weakness or strength in particular Cinebench versions.

Cinebench R23, the most recent test in the set, confirms the trend. Multi-core scores are 31558 for the Ultra 7 and 18161 for the i5, a 42.5% difference. Single-core scores are 4455 and 2564, a 42.4% difference, the only slight variation in the entire set. The near-uniform delta suggests the performance ratio is stable across Cinebench versions, which is unusual since different versions weight various instruction patterns differently.

Beyond the head-to-head comparisons, the database includes additional PassMark results for the Ultra 7 265T. These show strong absolute scores: 370158 in data compression, 29687 in data encryption, 28609 in extended instructions, 129817 in floating point math, 104943 in integer math, 37084 in multithread, and 4338 in single-thread. The i5-14401E has no PassMark entries in the database, so no direct comparison is possible for these workloads.

The average benchmark scores in the database reflect the overall positioning. The Ultra 7 265T has an average benchmark score of 47697, while the i5-14401E has an average of 5253. The nearest rivals for the Ultra 7 include the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D at 47908, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 at 47918, and the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 5945 at 47527. The i5-14401E sits near the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 at 5259 and the Intel Core i7-11700B at 5241.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265T outperforms the Intel Core i5-14401E in every recorded benchmark, with a consistent 42.5% advantage across the Cinebench suite. The Ultra 7 also ranks at the 90th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the i5-14401E ranks at the 60th percentile.

For workloads that rely on multi-core throughput, the Ultra 7's 20 physical cores provide an overwhelming advantage over the i5's 6 cores. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 31558 versus 18161 demonstrates this clearly. For single-core tasks, the Ultra 7's higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz and larger per-core caches deliver a similar margin.

The Ultra 7 achieves this performance at a 35 W TDP, nearly half the 65 W TDP of the i5-14401E. It also uses a more advanced 3 nm process from TSMC, compared to Intel's 10 nm node for the i5. The newer architecture, larger cache hierarchy, and higher memory bandwidth all contribute to the observed results.

The i5-14401E does retain some advantages in specific areas. It supports DDR4 memory, which can be relevant for systems reusing existing memory modules. It also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Ultra 7. Its higher base clock of 2.50 GHz may provide snappier response in lightly loaded scenarios, though the benchmark data does not show this translating into higher scores.

The launch MSRP of the Ultra 7 265T is $384. The i5-14401E has no listed launch MSRP in the database.

The choice between these two processors depends on the performance requirements. The Ultra 7 265T is the superior processor by every benchmark measurement in the database. The i5-14401E remains a viable desktop processor for users who need DDR4 or ECC memory support, but it operates in a substantially lower performance tier. The data shows no scenario where the i5-14401E closes the gap, let alone overtakes the Ultra 7.