Intel Core i5-14450HX vs Intel Core i9-11900 Comparison

The Intel Core i9-11900 and Intel Core i5-14450HX are both strong performers, but the data shows a clear generational shift. The i5-14450HX wins 13 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, despite being a mobile part with a lower TDP. The i9-11900 retains specific strengths in integer-heavy and instruction-heavy tasks, but the newer architecture of the i5-14450HX delivers superior performance in most synthetic tests, making it the stronger overall choice for users who prioritize raw compute.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900 has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, which is higher than the 4.80 GHz boost clock of the Intel Core i5-14450HX.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The i5-14450HX has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the i9-11900 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Both processors offer identical thread counts, but the i5-14450HX provides two additional physical cores.

Q: Which CPU shows a larger advantage in single-core performance?

A: The i5-14450HX leads in all Cinebench single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2838 against the i9-11900's 2680, a 5.6% advantage.

Q: Does the i9-11900 win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the i9-11900 wins 4 out of 17 head-to-head benchmarks. Its largest wins include a 14.2% lead in Passmark extended instructions and an 11.8% lead in Passmark random string sorting.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the i9-11900 and the i5-14450HX have a percentile rank of 82 against all CPUs, meaning they are statistically comparable in overall performance.

Q: Which processor has a smaller manufacturing process node?

A: The Intel Core i5-14450HX uses a 10 nm process, while the Intel Core i9-11900 uses a larger 14 nm process.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two CPUs is significant, reflecting a multi-year evolution in Intel's design. The i9-11900 is built on the Rocket Lake architecture, using a 14 nm process node, and is a desktop part for the Intel Socket 1200. In contrast, the i5-14450HX is a mobile processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, using a smaller 10 nm process, and is designed for the Intel BGA 1964 socket. This process shrink is a fundamental difference, leading to changes in efficiency and transistor density.

The cache hierarchy also differs notably. The i9-11900 features 64 KB of L1 cache and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 16 MB L3 cache. The i5-14450HX increases the per-core L1 cache to 80 KB and the L2 cache to 2 MB, while also expanding the shared L3 cache to 20 MB. These larger caches on the i5-14450HX likely contribute to its performance advantages in memory-sensitive workloads.

Other key feature differences include memory support. The i9-11900 supports only DDR4 memory, while the i5-14450HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The i9-11900 has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i5-14450HX's bandwidth is not specified. The i5-14450HX also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i9-11900. PCIe capabilities differ as well, with the i9-11900 offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the i5-14450HX offers the newer Gen 5 standard with 16 lanes. The integrated graphics also differ, with the i9-11900 featuring UHD Graphics 750 and the i5-14450HX featuring UHD Graphics 710.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data overwhelmingly favors the i5-14450HX, but the i9-11900 is not without its victories. Starting with the i5-14450HX's wins, the most consistent trend is in multi-core performance. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, the i5-14450HX wins by a nearly identical margin of 5.6% in each. For instance, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-14450HX scores 20108 versus the i9-11900's 18985. This consistency suggests a stable architectural advantage in multi-threaded workloads.

The i5-14450HX also shows decisive wins in specific Passmark tests. Its most significant victory is in the find prime numbers test, where it scores 98 compared to the i9-11900's 63, a massive 35.7% lead. Similarly, in the physics test, the i5-14450HX scores 1475 against 977, a 33.8% advantage. These results indicate a strong performance in mathematical and physics-based calculations. In floating point math, the i5-14450HX leads with a score of 58037 versus 48948, a 15.7% difference. Single-thread performance also favors the i5-14450HX, with a 7.4% lead in Passmark single-thread tests, scoring 3643 versus 3373.

The i9-11900’s wins, while fewer, are still substantial. Its best performance comes in the Passmark extended instructions test, where it scores 19654 against 17207, a 14.2% lead. It also wins in random string sorting with a score of 33054 versus 29565, an 11.8% advantage. In integer math, the i9-11900 is ahead by 7.1%, scoring 83893 versus 78330. Finally, it narrowly wins in data compression, with a score of 285159 versus 278538, a 2.4% lead. These results show that the i9-11900 is better at specific types of integer operations and data sorting.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear verdict: the Intel Core i5-14450HX is the superior processor for most workloads. Its 13 wins out of 17 benchmarks, including all Cinebench multi-core and single-core tests, demonstrate a broad performance advantage. The i5-14450HX is the better choice for users who need maximum multi-threaded performance for tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, or software compilation, as evidenced by its consistent 5.6% lead across all Cinebench multi-core tests.

The i9-11900 is a more specialized part. Its wins in integer math, extended instructions, and random string sorting suggest it may be better suited for specific enterprise or scientific applications that rely heavily on these operations. However, its overall performance profile is less balanced than the i5-14450HX. The i5-14450HX also achieves this performance with a lower TDP of 55W compared to the i9-11900's 65W, making it a more efficient option. For the vast majority of applications, the i5-14450HX is the stronger recommendation.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights the key specification differences between the two CPUs.

| Specification | Intel Core i9-11900 | Intel Core i5-14450HX |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

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

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not specified |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | UHD Graphics 710 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $439 | Not specified |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14450HX wins in: Multi-threaded productivity tasks, as shown by its 5.6% lead across all Cinebench multi-core benchmarks. It is the clear choice for content creation, 3D rendering, and any workload that scales with core count. It also dominates in physics simulations and prime number calculations, with leads of 33.8% and 35.7% respectively, making it ideal for scientific computing and financial modeling. Its superior single-thread performance (7.4% lead in Passmark) also makes it better for general responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications. Furthermore, its support for DDR5 memory and ECC memory, along with a smaller 10 nm process node, offers a more modern and feature-rich platform.

The Intel Core i9-11900 wins in: Specific legacy or specialized workloads. Its 14.2% lead in extended instructions and 11.8% lead in random string sorting make it a better fit for applications that are heavily dependent on complex instruction sets or specific data manipulation algorithms. Its 7.1% advantage in integer math could benefit certain encryption or compression algorithms, although it loses in the data encryption test. The i9-11900's 2.4% win in data compression is the only practical, common workload where it edges out the i5-14450HX. For users running older software optimized for the Rocket Lake architecture, the i9-11900 might be a safer bet, but for future-proofing and overall performance, the i5-14450HX is the winner.