Intel Core i5-14401E vs Intel Xeon W-1290P Comparison

Intel Xeon W-1290P vs Intel Core i5-14401E: this is a matchup between a 2020-era workstation Xeon and a 2024 mid-range desktop chip. On paper, the Core i5 has the newer architecture, but the recorded benchmark data tells a different story. The Xeon W-1290P wins every single test in the database, though the margins are consistently narrow, around 4.6% to 4.7% in Cinebench workloads. Both CPUs sit at the 60th percentile among all processors, meaning they occupy the same performance tier despite their generational gap.

Where Each One Wins

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon W-1290P wins all six head-to-head tests. There is no workload category where the Core i5-14401E comes out ahead. The Xeon's advantage spans both multi-core and single-core Cinebench tests, from the older R15 version to the modern R23. In every case, the Xeon leads by roughly the same margin, suggesting a consistent per-core performance edge rather than a scaling advantage from its higher core count.

The Core i5-14401E has zero wins in the recorded comparisons. That does not mean it is a poor processor; it means that in these specific benchmarks, the Xeon's higher clock speeds and additional cores produce better results across the board. Where the Core i5 could still make sense is in platform-level considerations: it uses the newer Socket 1700, supports DDR5 memory, and has PCIe Gen 5, all features the Xeon lacks. But if the question is purely about raw Cinebench performance, the Xeon is the winner in every measured scenario.

Architecture Differences

These two chips come from different eras of Intel design. The Xeon W-1290P is built on Comet Lake, a 10 nm architecture that was already aging when it launched in 2020. The Core i5-14401E uses Raptor Lake-R, also on a 10 nm process, but it is a much more recent design from 2024. The die sizes are close: 206 mm² for the Xeon versus 215 mm² for the Core i5.

Core configuration is where the gap widens. The Xeon has 10 cores and 20 threads; the Core i5 has 6 cores and 12 threads. That is a 40% core-count advantage for the Xeon, which explains its multi-core wins. The Xeon also runs at higher clocks: 3.70 GHz base and 5.30 GHz boost, compared to 2.50 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost for the Core i5. This clock gap applies to both base and boost states, giving the Xeon an edge in every frequency-sensitive workload.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The Xeon uses 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 20 MB of shared L3. The Core i5 has larger per-core caches: 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2, but the same 20 MB of shared L3. The Core i5's larger L2 cache is a modern design choice, but it does not overcome the Xeon's core and clock advantages in these tests.

Memory support is a major split. The Xeon is limited to DDR4 with dual-channel access and a bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. The Core i5 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, though no bandwidth figure is recorded for it. Both CPUs support ECC memory, which is notable for workstation-class workloads. The PCIe situation is reversed: the Xeon offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Core i5 provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, a substantial upgrade in interconnect speed for newer peripherals.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Xeon carries UHD Graphics P630, while the Core i5 has UHD Graphics 730. The Xeon's market segment is listed as Mobile, though it is a socketed LGA 1200 part; the Core i5 is explicitly Desktop on LGA 1700. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The closest race is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Xeon scores 1915 against the Core i5's 1830, a 4.6% lead. Single-core in R15 shows the Xeon at 270 versus 258, a 4.7% edge. Moving to R20, the Xeon posts 7983 multi-core and 1126 single-core, against 7627 and 1076 for the Core i5, with deltas of 4.7% and 4.6% respectively.

The pattern holds in R23, the most demanding test. The Xeon scores 19008 multi-core and 2683 single-core; the Core i5 manages 18161 and 2564. The Xeon leads by 4.7% in multi-core and 4.6% in single-core. Across all six tests, the Xeon's margin never exceeds 4.7%, which indicates that the Core i5's newer architecture is nearly closing the gap, but not quite.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the Xeon's average score is 5443, placing it among rivals like the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 at 5425 (0.3% ahead) and the Intel Core i9-13900TE at 5342 (1.9% ahead). The Core i5's average of 5253 sits near the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 at 5259 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Core i7-11700B at 5241 (0.2% ahead). Both CPUs land in the same performance neighborhood, but the Xeon's average is 190 points higher.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290P wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. In R23 multi-core, it scores 19008 versus the Core i5-14401E's 18161, a 4.7% advantage.

Q: Is the Core i5-14401E competitive in single-core performance?

A: It is close but not ahead. The Xeon leads in every single-core test, with margins of 4.6% to 4.7%. In R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 2683 against the Core i5's 2564.

Q: What are the core and thread differences?

A: The Xeon W-1290P has 10 cores and 20 threads. The Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Xeon also has higher base and boost clocks: 3.70 GHz and 5.30 GHz versus 2.50 GHz and 4.70 GHz.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Xeon W-1290P and the Core i5-14401E support ECC memory.

Q: Which CPU has newer platform features?

A: The Core i5-14401E supports DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The Xeon W-1290P is limited to DDR4 and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

Q: How do these CPUs compare to their nearest rivals in the database?

A: The Xeon W-1290P is 0.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 and 1.9% ahead of the Intel Core i9-13900TE. The Core i5-14401E is 0.1% behind the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 and 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i7-11700B.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon W-1290P | Intel Core i5-14401E |

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

| Cores | 10 | 6 |

| Threads | 20 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.30 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Comet Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Comet Lake | Raptor Lake-R |

| Die Size | 206 mm² | 215 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 46.9 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics P630 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Release Date | 2020-05-12 | 2024-06-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $539 | Not recorded |

The Verdict

The recorded data favors the Intel Xeon W-1290P in every benchmark. If your priority is raw Cinebench performance, the Xeon is the clear choice, as it leads by about 4.6% to 4.7% across all tests. Its 10 cores and higher clock speeds deliver consistent wins, and its average benchmark score of 5443 sits above the Core i5's 5253. The Xeon also has a documented launch MSRP of $539, though no pricing information is recorded for the Core i5.

However, the Core i5-14401E is not without rationale. It uses the newer Raptor Lake architecture, supports DDR5 memory, and offers PCIe Gen 5, which the Xeon cannot match. Its larger L2 cache per core (1.25 MB versus 256 KB) is a modern design trait. For builders who prioritize platform longevity, memory bandwidth headroom, or the latest I/O standards, the Core i5 may be the more practical pick, even though it loses every benchmark in this comparison.

The Xeon's market segment is listed as Mobile, but it is a socketed LGA 1200 part; the Core i5 is a Desktop chip on LGA 1700. Both are active production parts with ECC support. The Xeon's 125 W TDP versus the Core i5's 65 W TDP is a meaningful difference for cooling and power delivery, though no performance per watt numbers are recorded. Ultimately, the data says the Xeon wins on performance, but the Core i5 wins on platform modernity. Choose based on which factor matters more for your build.