Intel Core i5-14401TE vs Intel Core i9-14901TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database records no direct head-to-head measurements for the Intel Core i5-14401TE and Intel Core i9-14901TE. The head-to-head benchmark array is empty, and the win counts for both processors are zero. This absence of comparative data means that any performance differentiation must be derived from the architectural and specification differences recorded in the database.

The i5-14401TE carries a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the i9-14901TE boosts to 5.50 GHz. That 1.00 GHz gap in maximum frequency is the most significant single-clock advantage in the comparison, and it directly favors the i9 in lightly threaded workloads where boost clocks matter most. The base clocks also differ, with the i5 starting at 2.00 GHz and the i9 at 2.30 GHz, a 0.30 GHz difference that narrows the gap under sustained all-core loads but does not eliminate it.

Core and thread counts are where the i9 extends its lead. The i5 provides 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i9 provides 8 cores and 16 threads. That is 2 additional cores and 4 additional threads for the i9, a 33% increase in core count and a 33% increase in thread count relative to the i5. In multi-threaded workloads that scale well with core counts, such as rendering, compilation, or heavy multitasking, the i9 should deliver meaningfully higher throughput. The database does not provide specific benchmark scores to quantify this, but the hardware resources point decisively in that direction.

Cache capacity further separates the two. The i5 has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9 has 2 MB of L2 cache per core and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9's L3 cache is 16 MB larger, an 80% increase over the i5. Larger shared cache typically improves performance in workloads with repeated data access patterns, such as databases, virtual machines, or scientific simulations. The per-core L2 difference, 0.75 MB more per core on the i9, also helps with per-thread working sets.

Both processors share the same 45 W TDP, which is notable. Despite the i9 having more cores, a higher boost clock, and more cache, the thermal design power is identical. This means the i9 delivers its extra performance within the same power envelope, which suggests better performance-per-watt in scenarios that respect the TDP limit. The i5, with fewer active resources, may have more headroom to sustain boost clocks under the same power cap, but the database does not provide sustained-clock measurements to confirm this.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the i9 uses UHD Graphics 770. The database does not list shader counts or execution units, so a precise comparison is not possible, but the naming convention indicates a higher-tier graphics solution on the i9. For basic display output or light GPU-accelerated workloads, the i9's integrated graphics are the stronger option.

The percentile ranking against all CPUs is identical for both parts: the 50th percentile. This indicates that, in the absence of direct benchmark data, the database places both processors at the median of all recorded CPUs. Neither part stands out as a high-performer in the overall distribution, and neither falls into a low tier. The i9's additional resources do not move it above the i5 in this ranking, which is a consequence of the empty benchmark array rather than a statement about real-world performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901TE boosts to 5.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14401TE boosts to 4.50 GHz. The i9 holds a 1.00 GHz advantage in maximum frequency.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The i5-14401TE has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i9-14901TE has 8 cores and 16 threads, which is 2 more cores and 4 more threads.

Q: Is the L3 cache different between the two?

A: Yes. The i5 has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i9 has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9's L3 cache is 16 MB larger.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes. Both the i5-14401TE and the i9-14901TE support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. Both also support ECC memory.

Q: What is the TDP for each processor?

A: Both the i5-14401TE and the i9-14901TE have a TDP of 45 W. The power envelope is identical for both parts.

Q: Are there any direct benchmark results comparing these two CPUs?

A: No. The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for the i5-14401TE and i9-14901TE. The win counts for both are zero, and the benchmark array is empty.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the Raptor Lake architecture, with the codename Raptor Lake-R and a 10 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. The generation is listed as Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) for the i5 and Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh) for the i9. The underlying microarchitecture is the same, which means instruction sets and IPC characteristics are identical per clock. Any performance difference comes from resource scaling, not from architectural redesign.

The die size differs. The i5 has a die size of 215 mm², while the i9 has a die size of 257 mm². That is a 42 mm² difference, reflecting the larger core count and cache array on the i9. The larger die allows for 8 cores instead of 6, and the additional L3 cache capacity. Transistor counts are not recorded in the database, so a direct comparison of transistor density is not possible.

The L1 cache is identical per core: 80 KB per core for both processors. Since the i9 has more cores, the total L1 capacity is higher, but the per-core allocation is the same. The L2 cache differs per core: 1.25 MB per core on the i5 versus 2 MB per core on the i9. This is a 0.75 MB per-core increase on the i9. The L3 cache is shared and differs substantially: 20 MB on the i5 versus 36 MB on the i9. The i9's larger shared cache is the most impactful architectural difference beyond core count.

The integrated graphics differ between the two. The i5 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the i9 uses UHD Graphics 770. The database does not specify execution units, clock speeds, or memory bandwidth for the integrated GPUs, so the comparison is limited to the model naming. The i9's graphics tier is higher, which typically corresponds to more execution resources.

Both processors use the same socket, Intel Socket 1700, and the same PCIe configuration: Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The memory support is identical: DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with ECC support enabled on both. The production status is active for both, and both were released on the same date, 2024-06-30.

Specification Differences

The following specification fields differ between the Intel Core i5-14401TE and the Intel Core i9-14901TE:

• Cores: 6 (i5) versus 8 (i9)
• Threads: 12 (i5) versus 16 (i9)
• Base Clock: 2.00 GHz (i5) versus 2.30 GHz (i9)
• Boost Clock: 4.50 GHz (i5) versus 5.50 GHz (i9)
• Die Size: 215 mm² (i5) versus 257 mm² (i9)
• L2 Cache: 1.25 MB per core (i5) versus 2 MB per core (i9)
• L3 Cache: 20 MB shared (i5) versus 36 MB shared (i9)
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 730 (i5) versus UHD Graphics 770 (i9)
• Part Number: Q4T4SRNJP (i5) versus Q49CSRNJJ (i9)

The following fields are identical between the two: TDP (45 W), socket (Intel Socket 1700), architecture (Raptor Lake), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (80 KB per core), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC memory support (true), PCIe (Gen 5, 16 lanes), market segment (Desktop), production status (Active), release date (2024-06-30), multiplier unlocked (false), and launch MSRP (null, so no price data is available).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14901TE wins in every category where the database records a difference. It has more cores, more threads, higher base and boost clocks, more L2 and L3 cache, a larger die, and a higher-tier integrated graphics solution. For multi-threaded workloads, the 8-core, 16-thread configuration with 36 MB of L3 cache is the stronger choice. The 5.50 GHz boost clock also gives it an edge in single-threaded and lightly threaded tasks, where the i5's 4.50 GHz ceiling falls short.

The Intel Core i5-14401TE wins only in the sense of lower resource demand. With 6 cores, 12 threads, and a smaller die, it consumes the same 45 W TDP as the i9 but with fewer active components. This may lead to better sustained boost behavior under a strict power cap, though the database does not provide measurements to confirm this. The i5 also has a smaller L3 cache, which is not an advantage but may reduce power leakage in some scenarios.

For workloads that are latency-sensitive with small working sets, such as certain real-time tasks, the i5's smaller cache footprint might be irrelevant, but the lower core count does not help. There is no benchmark evidence to suggest the i5 wins any measured workload. The win count in the database is 0 for the i5 and 0 for the i9, so the only basis for a use-case split is the recorded specifications.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the Intel Core i9-14901TE across all recorded dimensions. It offers 2 additional cores, 4 additional threads, a 0.30 GHz higher base clock, a 1.00 GHz higher boost clock, 0.75 MB more L2 cache per core, 16 MB more shared L3 cache, and a higher-tier integrated graphics processor. All of this is delivered within the same 45 W TDP and on the same socket and platform.

The i5-14401TE is the more modest part. It suits scenarios where the full resource allocation of the i9 is unnecessary, but the database provides no performance metrics that would justify choosing it over the i9 on a capability basis. The identical release date, process node, and architecture mean the i9 is simply a more fully featured version of the same design.

Users who prioritize maximum compute capacity, whether for multi-threaded throughput or high-frequency single-threaded response, should select the i9-14901TE. The i5-14401TE remains a valid option only where a smaller core count is acceptable or where the lower die size is preferred for some unlisted reason. Without direct benchmark scores, the specification comparison is the only evidence available, and that evidence points entirely toward the i9.