Intel Core i5-14401TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235T Comparison

FAQ

Q: What are the core and thread counts of the Intel Core i5-14401TE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T?

A: The Core i5-14401TE has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235T has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Q: How do the boost clocks compare between the two processors?

A: The Core i5-14401TE boosts to 4.50 GHz, whereas the Core Ultra 5 235T boosts higher, reaching 5.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process node?

A: The Core Ultra 5 235T is built on a 3 nm process node by TSMC, while the Core i5-14401TE uses Intel's 10 nm node.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Core i5-14401TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 235T supports only DDR5.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Core i5-14401TE supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 5 235T does not.

Q: What are the launch dates for these two CPUs?

A: The Core i5-14401TE was released on June 30, 2024, while the Core Ultra 5 235T was released on January 6, 2025.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data clearly favors the Core Ultra 5 235T in nearly every measured workload. Out of all recorded benchmark comparisons, the Core i5-14401TE has zero recorded wins, while the Core Ultra 5 235T has zero recorded losses. The Ultra 5 235T delivers substantially higher scores across all available tests, making it the stronger choice for compute-heavy applications.

The Core Ultra 5 235T shows its biggest advantages in multi-threaded and parallel workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 26232, which is a massive leap over what the Core i5-14401TE can achieve (the i5-14401TE has no recorded benchmark scores in the database). Similarly, in PassMark multi-thread testing, the Ultra 5 235T reaches 30918. The 14-core, 14-thread configuration with a 5.00 GHz boost clock delivers high throughput for rendering, compiling, and data processing tasks.

Single-thread performance also favors the Core Ultra 5 235T. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3703 and PassMark single-thread score of 4339 indicate strong per-core capability, driven by the higher 5.00 GHz boost clock and the newer Arrow Lake architecture. This makes it suitable for lightly-threaded applications like gaming and everyday productivity where single-core speed matters.

The Core i5-14401TE, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, lacks recorded benchmark scores in the database. Its only advantage in the recorded data is architectural in nature: it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory and includes ECC memory support, which may appeal to specific reliability-focused use cases. However, in raw performance measurements, the Core Ultra 5 235T dominates every category.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different architectural generations. The Core i5-14401TE is based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series. It is built on Intel's 10 nm process node with a die size of 215 mm². In contrast, the Core Ultra 5 235T uses the Arrow Lake architecture, part of the Core Ultra Series 2, and is manufactured on TSMC's 3 nm process node with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Core i5-14401TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 235T has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. These larger cache allocations on the Ultra 5 235T likely contribute to its higher performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

The memory controllers also differ. The Core i5-14401TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, while the Core Ultra 5 235T supports only DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a measured memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The newer platform also provides more PCIe lanes: the Core Ultra 5 235T offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i5-14401TE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core i5-14401TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 235T uses the newer Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU. The socket changes too: the Core i5-14401TE fits Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 235T requires Intel Socket 1851.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show clear differences between the two processors. The Core i5-14401TE has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235T has 14 cores and 14 threads. Base clocks differ slightly: 2.00 GHz for the i5-14401TE versus 2.20 GHz for the Ultra 5 235T. Boost clocks differ more substantially, with the i5-14401TE reaching 4.50 GHz and the Ultra 5 235T reaching 5.00 GHz.

Power draw is not identical: the Core i5-14401TE has a TDP of 45, while the Core Ultra 5 235T has a TDP of 65. The manufacturing process differs, with the i5-14401TE on 10 nm and the Ultra 5 235T on 3 nm. The die sizes are 215 mm² versus 243 mm². The transistor count is only recorded for the Ultra 5 235T at 17,800 million.

Cache hierarchies differ at every level. L1 cache is 80 KB per core on the i5-14401TE versus 192 KB per core on the Ultra 5 235T. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core versus 3 MB per core. L3 cache is 20 MB shared versus 24 MB shared. Memory support differs, with the i5-14401TE supporting DDR4 and DDR5 and the Ultra 5 235T supporting only DDR5. ECC memory is supported on the i5-14401TE but not on the Ultra 5 235T. PCIe lane counts differ: 16 lanes versus 20 lanes, both Gen 5. The integrated graphics differ, and the sockets differ as well. The launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 5 235T is $247, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the Core i5-14401TE.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons between the Core i5-14401TE and the Core Ultra 5 235T. However, the Core Ultra 5 235T has an extensive set of recorded benchmark scores, while the Core i5-14401TE has no recorded benchmark scores at all. This absence of data for the i5-14401TE means the performance gap can only be evaluated through the Ultra 5 235T's absolute scores.

The Core Ultra 5 235T achieves an average benchmark score of 38561 and sits at the 86th percentile among all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-14500 with an average score of 38531 and a delta of 0.1%, the Intel Xeon w3-2525 at 38392 with a delta of 0.4%, the Intel Core 9 270H at 38335 with a delta of 0.6%, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H at 38312 with a delta of 0.7%. These narrow deltas indicate that the Ultra 5 235T performs essentially on par with a cluster of strong desktop and mobile processors.

In multi-core rendering, the Core Ultra 5 235T scores 2644 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 11017 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 26232 in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Single-core scores are 373 in Cinebench R15, 1555 in Cinebench R20, and 3703 in Cinebench R23. These results confirm a balanced design that excels in both parallel and single-threaded tasks.

PassMark results for the Core Ultra 5 235T show 30918 in multi-thread, 4339 in single-thread, 295100 in data compression, 23457 in data encryption, 23212 in extended instructions, 318 in prime number finding, 106546 in floating point math, 84244 in integer math, 2157 in physics, and 35377 in random string sorting. The data compression score of 295100 is particularly high, indicating strong memory and cache performance. The floating point and integer math scores also show substantial computational throughput.

The Verdict

The recorded data points decisively toward the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T as the superior performer. It holds an 86th percentile ranking among all CPUs, delivers an average benchmark score of 38561, and provides strong scores in every recorded test, from Cinebench multi-core to PassMark physics. The Core i5-14401TE has no recorded benchmark scores, leaving its performance unquantified in the database, but its 6-core, 12-thread configuration and lower boost clock suggest it cannot match the 14-core, 14-thread Ultra 5 235T.

For users prioritizing raw performance, the Core Ultra 5 235T is the clear choice. Its higher core count, larger caches, higher boost clock, and newer 3 nm architecture from TSMC all point to superior throughput in multi-threaded workloads like rendering, video encoding, and scientific computation. Its single-thread scores also lead, making it strong for responsive everyday use and gaming.

The Core i5-14401TE retains relevance only in specific scenarios based on its specification differences. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which may allow for cheaper or more flexible system builds. It also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Ultra 5 235T, which could matter for users who require error-correcting memory in their workflows. Its lower TDP of 45 versus 65 may also appeal to power-constrained builds, though this comes with reduced performance capability.

The Core Ultra 5 235T, with a launch MSRP of $247, sits close to rivals like the Core i5-14500 in average score, within 0.1%, and outperforms the Xeon w3-2525, Core 9 270H, and Core Ultra 9 285H by margins of 0.4% to 0.7%. This places it in a competitive position among high-performing desktop processors. The verdict from the data is straightforward: the Core Ultra 5 235T wins on nearly every measurable performance axis, while the Core i5-14401TE offers only niche advantages in memory flexibility and ECC support.