Intel Core i5-14401E vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

Intel Core i5-14401E and Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus occupy distinctly different positions in the database. The i5-14401E is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop part from the Core 14th Gen family, built on Intel's 10 nm process with Raptor Lake architecture. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a 24-core, 24-thread mobile processor from the Core Ultra Series 2, fabricated on TSMC's 3 nm node with Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename. Benchmark data shows the Ultra 9 wins 5 of 6 head-to-head tests, with the i5 taking a single-core victory in Cinebench R23. The average benchmark score differential is substantial: 79,574 for the Ultra 9 versus 5,253 for the i5, placing them at the 95th and 60th percentiles respectively.

The Verdict

The data indicates the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the overwhelmingly stronger processor for multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 versus the i5-14401E's 18,161 represents a 54.2% advantage. The Ultra 9 also leads by 64% in both Cinebench R20 multi-core (21,198 vs 7,627) and R20 single-core (2,992 vs 1,076). The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the largest gap: 5,981 for the Ultra 9 versus 1,830 for the i5, a 69.4% difference.

The Intel Core i5-14401E claims one notable victory. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2,564 against the Ultra 9's 2,356, an 8.8% lead. This suggests the i5's Raptor Lake architecture, with its higher per-core efficiency in this specific test, retains a single-threaded edge. However, the Ultra 9 counters with a 24.1% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core (340 vs 258), indicating the single-core picture is test-dependent.

For users prioritizing raw multi-core performance, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the clear choice. Its 24 cores and 24 threads, combined with 36 MB of shared L3 cache, deliver benchmark results that place it among the top 5% of all CPUs in the database. The i5-14401E, with 6 cores and 12 threads, sits at the 60th percentile, making it suitable for mainstream desktop tasks but not for heavy parallel workloads. The Ultra 9's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-14900KF (delta 0.3%) and AMD EPYC 7413 (delta -0.6%), confirming its position in high-end territory.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two?

A: The i5-14401E uses Intel's 10 nm process, while the Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses TSMC's 3 nm process.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus boosts up to 5.50 GHz, compared to the i5-14401E's 4.70 GHz.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Ultra 9 290HX Plus scores 39,684, which is 54.2% higher than the i5-14401E's 18,161.

Q: Does the i5-14401E win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the i5-14401E wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 2,564, an 8.8% advantage over the Ultra 9's 2,356.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth specification for each?

A: The Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the i5-14401E's memory bandwidth is not listed in the database.

Architecture Differences

The architecture gap between these two processors is fundamental. The Intel Core i5-14401E is built on Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, part of the Core 14th Gen series. It uses a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel, with a die size of 215 mm². The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus employs Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename from the Core Ultra Series 2, fabricated on TSMC's 3 nm process with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The i5-14401E provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus offers 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger cache allocation supports the Ultra 9's higher core count and thread count.

Memory support and PCIe configurations also diverge. The i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the Ultra 9 290HX Plus exclusively supports DDR5, also dual-channel, with a recorded bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. Both CPUs support ECC memory. For PCIe, the i5-14401E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 9 offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differentiate the two as well. The i5-14401E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 9 290HX Plus features Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Ultra 9 also has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i5-14401E's multiplier is locked. Production status for both is listed as Active, with the i5 released in June 2024 and the Ultra 9 scheduled for March 2026.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several key differences between the two processors. Core count: the i5-14401E has 6 cores versus the Ultra 9's 24 cores. Thread count: 12 threads for the i5, 24 threads for the Ultra 9. Base clock: 2.50 GHz for the i5, 2.70 GHz for the Ultra 9. Boost clock: 4.70 GHz for the i5, 5.50 GHz for the Ultra 9. TDP: 65 W for the i5, 55 W for the Ultra 9.

Socket types differ completely: Intel Socket 1700 for the i5-14401E, Intel BGA 2114 for the Ultra 9 290HX Plus. Process node: 10 nm for the i5, 3 nm for the Ultra 9. Foundry: Intel for the i5, TSMC for the Ultra 9. Die size: 215 mm² for the i5, 243 mm² for the Ultra 9. Transistor count is listed only for the Ultra 9 at 17,800 million.

Cache specifications: L1 cache is 80 KB per core for the i5 versus 192 KB per core for the Ultra 9. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core for the i5 versus 3 MB per core for the Ultra 9. L3 cache is 20 MB shared for the i5 versus 36 MB shared for the Ultra 9. Memory support: DDR4 and DDR5 for the i5, DDR5 only for the Ultra 9. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for the Ultra 9 at 102.4 GB/s. PCIe lanes: 16 for the i5, 20 for the Ultra 9, both Gen 5.

Market segment: Desktop for the i5-14401E, Mobile for the Ultra 9 290HX Plus. Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 for the i5, Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for the Ultra 9. Multiplier: locked for the i5, unlocked for the Ultra 9. Release dates: June 2024 for the i5, March 2026 for the Ultra 9. The Ultra 9's part number is SADSS, while the i5's is Q49JSRNJS.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data shows the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus dominating five of six tests, with the Intel Core i5-14401E taking one victory. The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Ultra 9 scores 5,981 against the i5's 1,830, representing a 69.4% advantage. This test heavily favors the Ultra 9's 24-core configuration.

Cinebench R20 results show a 64% lead for the Ultra 9 in both multi-core and single-core tests. Multi-core: 21,198 for the Ultra 9 versus 7,627 for the i5. Single-core: 2,992 versus 1,076. These consistent margins indicate the Ultra 9's architectural advantages extend beyond core count into per-core performance in the R20 workload.

Cinebench R23 multi-core continues the trend, with the Ultra 9 scoring 39,684 versus the i5's 18,161, a 54.2% difference. The Ultra 9's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i9-14900KF at 79,371 average score (0.3% delta) and the AMD EPYC 7413 at 80,041 (-0.6% delta), placing it in elite company. The i5-14401E's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-11700B at 5,241 average score (0.2% delta) and Intel Core i9-10850K at 5,240 (0.2% delta), showing it clusters with older high-end desktop parts.

The single i5 victory comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2,564 versus the Ultra 9's 2,356, an 8.8% lead. This result is notable given the Ultra 9's higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus 4.70 GHz for the i5. The i5's Raptor Lake architecture appears to handle this specific single-threaded workload more efficiently, despite the Ultra 9's newer 3 nm process and higher clock speed.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ultra 9 reverses the result, scoring 340 against the i5's 258, a 24.1% advantage. This inconsistency between single-core tests suggests workload-specific behavior rather than a clear architectural superiority in single-threaded tasks. The Ultra 9's PassMark results, which are not available for the i5, show strong performance in data compression (658,724), floating point math (201,773), and integer math (164,839), further confirming its multi-threaded prowess.

The average benchmark score difference is stark: 79,574 for the Ultra 9 versus 5,253 for the i5, a more than 15-fold gap. This places the Ultra 9 at the 95th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the i5 sits at the 60th percentile. The Ultra 9's wins across 5 of 6 head-to-head benchmarks, combined with its higher percentile ranking, make it the superior choice for compute-intensive applications, while the i5-14401E remains competitive for specific single-threaded tasks and desktop use cases.