Intel Core i5-14401TE vs Intel Core i9-14900KS Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-14401TE and Intel Core i9-14900KS occupy opposite ends of the Core 14th Gen spectrum. The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark pairings between these two processors, but the recorded measurements for the i9-14900KS provide a clear reference point. The i5-14401TE has no benchmark entries in the database, meaning its performance profile must be inferred from its specifications rather than measured results.

For the i9-14900KS, the benchmark data shows a processor at the top of the desktop stack. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 50995 places it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The single-core result of 7199 in the same test reinforces this positioning. Geekbench scores follow the same pattern: 23931 multi-core and 2692 single-core. These numbers indicate a CPU that leads both heavily threaded workloads and lightly threaded applications.

The i5-14401TE lacks any benchmark entries. The database records no Cinebench, Geekbench, or PassMark scores for this part. Its percentile ranking of 50 places it exactly at the midpoint of all CPUs, suggesting a mainstream performance tier. The i9-14900KS, by contrast, sits at the 96th percentile, a gap of 46 percentile points that reflects the substantial difference in their intended roles.

PassMark results for the i9-14900KS show strength across specialized workloads. Integer math scores 212644, floating point math scores 153975, and extended instructions score 45524. Data compression reaches 803368, while data encryption hits 47717. Random string sorting completes at 89789. These figures demonstrate a processor equally capable in computational density and memory-intensive operations.

The i9-14900KS's nearest rivals in the database confirm its elite standing. The Intel Xeon w5-3535X scores 81115, a delta of 0 percent from the i9's average of 81127. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX matches at 81103, also a 0 percent delta. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 trails by 0.5 percent at 80762, and the Intel Xeon 638 matches that 0.5 percent delta at 80723. These near-identical scores place the i9-14900KS in a tightly contested group of high-end processors.

Without benchmark entries for the i5-14401TE, the head-to-head comparison relies on architectural and specification differences. The i9-14900KS delivers 24 cores and 32 threads against the i5's 6 cores and 12 threads. Boost clocks differ by 1.70 GHz in favor of the i9. The i9's 36 MB of shared L3 cache more than doubles the i5's 20 MB. These disparities point to a multi-threaded performance gap that would likely be substantial, though the database provides no direct measurement.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-14900KS have benchmark scores in the database?

A: Yes, the i9-14900KS has 19 benchmark entries covering Cinebench R15, R20, R23, Geekbench, and multiple PassMark tests. Its average benchmark score is 81127.

Q: What is the percentile ranking of each processor?

A: The i9-14900KS ranks at the 96th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i5-14401TE ranks at the 50th percentile.

Q: How does the i9-14900KS compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Xeon w5-3535X and AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX both score within 0 percent of the i9-14900KS. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 and Intel Xeon 638 trail by 0.5 percent.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The i5-14401TE has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i9-14900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. Both also support ECC memory.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the i5-14401TE has a locked multiplier. The i9-14900KS has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear divide between these two processors. The i9-14900KS is a high-end desktop part with a 96th percentile ranking and an average benchmark score of 81127. Its nearest rivals, the Xeon w5-3535X and Ryzen 9 8940HX, sit within 0 percent of its score, indicating performance parity at the very top of the database. The i5-14401TE, with no recorded benchmarks and a 50th percentile ranking, occupies a mainstream position.

Users seeking maximum multi-threaded throughput should select the i9-14900KS. Its 24 cores, 32 threads, and 36 MB of L3 cache provide the resources for demanding workloads. The 6.20 GHz boost clock also gives it a significant single-thread advantage over the i5's 4.50 GHz maximum. The i9 is an active production part with a launch MSRP of $689.

The i5-14401TE serves a different purpose. Its 45 TDP and 6-core configuration suggest efficiency-focused operation. The database shows no benchmark results for this part, so any performance claims would lack measured support. Its 50th percentile ranking indicates average performance relative to all CPUs, making it a sensible choice for standard desktop tasks where the i9's capabilities would go unused.

The specification gap is substantial enough that the choice depends entirely on workload requirements. For compute-heavy applications with high thread counts, the i9-14900KS is the only option with recorded data supporting its performance. For basic productivity and light multitasking, the i5-14401TE's lower core count and TDP align with less demanding scenarios.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The i5-14401TE uses 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i9-14900KS uses 24 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks stand at 2.00 GHz for the i5 and 3.20 GHz for the i9. Boost clocks reach 4.50 GHz and 6.20 GHz respectively. The TDP figures show a 105-watt gap, with the i5 at 45 watts and the i9 at 150 watts.

Cache configurations diverge significantly. Both share an 80 KB L1 cache per core, but L2 cache differs: 1.25 MB per core on the i5 versus 2 MB per core on the i9. L3 cache totals 20 MB shared on the i5 and 36 MB shared on the i9. Die size also varies, with the i5 at 215 mm² and the i9 at 257 mm².

The integrated graphics differ by one tier. The i5-14401TE includes UHD Graphics 730, while the i9-14900KS includes UHD Graphics 770. Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and both support ECC memory. The PCIe configuration matches: Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both use Intel Socket 1700.

The multiplier is unlocked on the i9-14900KS but locked on the i5-14401TE. The i9 has a launch MSRP of $689. The i5 has no recorded launch MSRP. Both parts remain in active production status. The i5-14401TE has a part number of Q4T4SRNJP, while the i9-14900KS uses SRN7R.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Raptor Lake architecture and the Raptor Lake-R codename, part of Intel's Core 14th Gen series. The process node is identical at 10 nm, with Intel as the foundry for both. The generation field records Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) for the i5-14401TE and Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh) for the i9-14900KS.

The release dates differ by just over three months. The i9-14900KS launched on March 13, 2024, while the i5-14401TE followed on June 30, 2024. Both target the desktop market segment.

Core architecture remains consistent across both parts, but the i9-14900KS scales the design to 24 cores versus the i5's 6. The L2 cache per core increases from 1.25 MB to 2 MB, and the shared L3 pool grows from 20 MB to 36 MB. These cache changes reflect the i9's larger core count and the need for more shared data storage.

The integrated graphics units differ, with UHD Graphics 770 on the i9 and UHD Graphics 730 on the i5. Both support the same memory standards and PCIe generation. The i9's unlocked multiplier allows frequency adjustment beyond its 6.20 GHz boost, while the i5's locked multiplier fixes its 4.50 GHz ceiling.

The die size increase from 215 mm² to 257 mm² corresponds to the additional cores and cache on the i9. The process node remains constant, so the larger die directly enables the higher core count. Neither processor features 3D V-Cache, and total L3 figures are not recorded separately from the shared values.

The architectural similarity means both processors execute the same instruction set and maintain compatibility with the same platforms. The differences lie in scaling, not design philosophy. The i9-14900KS represents the maximum configuration of the Raptor Lake-R design, while the i5-14401TE sits at the efficient entry point of the same family.