Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core i5-14600 Comparison

Intel Core i5-14490F and Intel Core i5-14600 are both 14th Gen desktop processors on the LGA 1700 socket, but the benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap. Across all 17 head-to-head tests recorded in the database, the Intel Core i5-14600 wins outright, with the i5-14490F trailing by margins ranging from 7.1% to 27.3%. The average benchmark score tells the same story: the i5-14600 posts 44889 versus 38149 for the i5-14490F, a difference that places the i5-14600 in the 89th percentile of all CPUs compared to the 86th percentile for the i5-14490F.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most consistent pattern in the data is the 24.5% deficit for the i5-14490F across every Cinebench test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-14600 scores 30464 against 23000, while in single-core it delivers 4300 versus 3247. The same 24.5% gap appears in Cinebench R15 (3070 vs 2318 multi-core, 433 vs 327 single-core) and Cinebench R20 (12794 vs 9660 multi-core, 1806 vs 1363 single-core). This uniformity suggests the difference is structural, not workload-specific.

PassMark results show a wider spread of margins. The smallest gap is in single-thread performance, where the i5-14600 leads by only 7.1% (4167 vs 3873). The largest gap appears in data encryption, where the i5-14600 scores 25082 against 18225, a 27.3% advantage. Integer math shows a 25% lead for the i5-14600 (117078 vs 87844), and random string sorting follows at 25.9% (48043 vs 35608). Floating point math favors the i5-14600 by 22.4% (85759 vs 66558), while multi-threaded PassMark shows a 20% gap (35848 vs 28662).

The i5-14600 also wins the more specialized workloads. Data compression scores 434620 versus 340026, a 21.8% margin. Extended instructions show 25674 against 21731, a 15.4% lead. Prime number finding delivers 155 versus 122, a 21.3% gap, and physics simulation scores 2330 against 2093, a 10.2% margin. The i5-14490F does not win a single test in the head-to-head comparison, a clean sweep for the i5-14600.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename and are built on Intel's 10 nm process at the Intel foundry. The socket is Intel Socket 1700 for both, and both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode. The fundamental difference lies in the core configuration. The i5-14600 uses 14 cores and 20 threads, while the i5-14490F uses 10 cores and 16 threads. This four-core and four-thread deficit directly explains the multi-threaded benchmark gaps.

Clock speeds reinforce the core count advantage. The i5-14600 has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, compared to 2.50 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost for the i5-14490F. Even in single-threaded tests, the i5-14600's higher boost clock contributes to its 7.1% lead in PassMark single-thread performance.

Cache allocation also differs. Both share 24 MB of L3 cache and 80 KB of L1 per core, but the L2 cache per core is 2 MB on the i5-14600 versus 1.25 MB on the i5-14490F. The die size reflects this: 257 mm² for the i5-14600 versus 215 mm² for the i5-14490F. The i5-14600 also includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics. ECC memory support is present on the i5-14600 but absent on the i5-14490F.

Both processors have the same PCIe configuration (Gen 5, 16 lanes from the CPU) and identical 65 W TDP. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-14600 was released on 2024-01-07 with a launch MSRP of $255, while the i5-14490F was released on 2023-12-31 with no launch MSRP recorded. Both carry Active production status.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports only one conclusion: the Intel Core i5-14600 is the stronger processor in every measured category. Its 24.5% lead across all Cinebench versions indicates a consistent architectural advantage that scales from single-core to multi-core workloads. The i5-14490F's closest performance comes in PassMark single-thread (7.1% behind) and physics (10.2% behind), but even these narrow gaps do not translate into a win.

For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the i5-14600's 14 cores and 20 threads versus 10 cores and 16 threads on the i5-14490F deliver measurable gains in encryption (27.3%), integer math (25%), and random string sorting (25.9%). The i5-14490F does offer a smaller die size (215 mm² vs 257 mm²) and lower L2 cache per core (1.25 MB vs 2 MB), but these specifications do not manifest as benchmark advantages.

The i5-14600 also adds features the i5-14490F lacks: integrated UHD Graphics 770 and ECC memory support. For systems requiring a fallback display output or error-correcting memory, the i5-14600 is the only viable option between the two. The i5-14490F's only distinguishing characteristic is its earlier release date by roughly one week, which carries no performance implication.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600 scores 30464 versus 23000 for the i5-14490F, a 24.5% advantage.

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference?

A: In PassMark single-thread, the i5-14600 scores 4167 against 3873, a 7.1% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-14600 scores 4300 versus 3247, a 24.5% lead.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The i5-14600 additionally supports ECC memory, while the i5-14490F does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-14600 includes UHD Graphics 770. The i5-14490F has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do their core counts compare?

A: The i5-14600 has 14 cores and 20 threads. The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The i5-14600 averages 44889, placing it in the 89th percentile. The i5-14490F averages 38149, placing it in the 86th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14600 wins in all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, so the use-case split is defined by margin size rather than outright victories. The i5-14600 is most dominant in data encryption (27.3% ahead), random string sorting (25.9%), and integer math (25%). These workloads benefit heavily from its extra four cores and higher L2 cache per core. For Cinebench rendering tasks, the uniform 24.5% gap confirms that both multi-core and single-core render performance favor the i5-14600.

The i5-14490F's least severe losses occur in PassMark single-thread (7.1% behind) and physics (10.2% behind). In these areas, the i5-14490F remains competitive despite its fewer cores, suggesting that lightly threaded workloads narrow the gap. However, even in these cases, the i5-14600 still posts the higher score. The i5-14490F's 16 threads are sufficient for moderate multi-threading, but the 20-thread i5-14600 consistently extracts more throughput.

For users constrained by socket compatibility, both fit Intel Socket 1700. For users without a discrete GPU, the i5-14600's integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides a display output, while the i5-14490F requires a dedicated graphics card. For ECC memory requirements, only the i5-14600 qualifies.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on the following recorded specifications: core count (14 vs 10), thread count (20 vs 16), base clock (2.70 GHz vs 2.50 GHz), boost clock (5.20 GHz vs 5.00 GHz), L2 cache per core (2 MB vs 1.25 MB), die size (257 mm² vs 215 mm²), integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770 vs N/A), ECC memory support (true vs false), release date (2024-01-07 vs 2023-12-31), and launch MSRP ($255 vs none recorded). The i5-14600 has a higher part number (SRN44 vs SRN35).

Both share identical values for series (Core 14th Gen), manufacturer (Intel), TDP (65 W), socket (Intel Socket 1700), architecture (Raptor Lake), codename (Raptor Lake-R), generation (Core i5 Raptor Lake Refresh), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (80 KB per core), L3 cache (24 MB shared), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (Dual-channel), PCIe (Gen 5, 16 lanes), market segment (Desktop), production status (Active), and multiplier unlocked status (false). No transistor count or memory bandwidth figures are recorded for either processor.