Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core i7-14650HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between these two Intel 14th Gen parts, with the Intel Core i7-14650HX taking 12 of 17 head-to-head benchmark wins, while the Intel Core i5-14490F secures 5 wins, including some by very large margins.

The most significant single-core result in the entire comparison belongs to the i5-14490F in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 3247 against the i7-14650HX's 1969, a 64.9% advantage. That is the largest delta in either direction across all recorded tests. The i5 also wins Cinebench R15 single-core, 327 versus 285.5, a 14.5% edge, and edges out the i7 in Passmark single-thread, 3873 versus 3841, a slim 0.8% margin.

The i7-14650HX dominates the multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 3470.5 against the i5's 2318, a 33.2% lead. The i7 also wins Cinebench R20 multi-core, 11946 versus 9660, a 19.1% margin, and Cinebench R20 single-core as well, 1686 versus 1363, a 19.2% edge. Interestingly, the Cinebench R23 multi-core test flips back to the i5, with 23000 versus 20454, a 12.4% win for the desktop part.

Across Passmark workloads, the i7-14650HX is consistently ahead. The largest Passmark delta is in integer math, where the i7 scores 116661 against the i5's 87844, a 24.7% advantage. Floating point math follows with 84999 versus 66558, a 21.7% lead. Data encryption shows the i7 ahead by 20.5%, scoring 22917 versus 18225. Prime number finding favors the i7 by 19.7%, 152 versus 122. Random string sorting goes to the i7 by 17.3%, 43035 versus 35608. Data compression shows the i7 ahead by 14.7%, 398418 versus 340026. Extended instructions favor the i7 by 10%, 24150 versus 21731. Multithread Passmark gives the i7 a 14.4% win, 33495 versus 28662, and physics shows the i7 ahead by 5%, 2202 versus 2093.

The average benchmark score in the database places the i7-14650HX at 41576, which is 8.0% higher than the i5-14490F's 38149. The i7 sits in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5 sits in the 86th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark breakdown points to distinct usage profiles. The i5-14490F's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3247, combined with its Passmark single-thread score of 3873, indicates it handles lightly threaded tasks with high responsiveness. The 64.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core over the i7 is the standout metric for this part. The i5 also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core, suggesting it can sustain strong all-core performance in certain rendering workloads.

The i7-14650HX is the clear choice for heavily threaded compute. Its wins span integer math, floating point math, encryption, compression, and prime number generation, all by double-digit margins. The 24.7% lead in integer math and the 21.7% lead in floating point math are particularly strong indicators for scientific and financial workloads. The i7 also wins the Cinebench R20 multi-core test by 19.1%, although it loses the R23 multi-core test to the i5, which reflects workload-specific scaling differences.

For data compression and random string sorting, the i7's 16 cores and larger L3 cache deliver 14.7% and 17.3% wins respectively. The physics test, which often reflects real-time simulation workloads, favors the i7 by a modest 5%. The i5's wins are concentrated in single-core performance and one multi-core rendering test, while the i7's wins span a much broader set of compute types.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use the Raptor Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process node, but they differ substantially in configuration. The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-14650HX has 16 cores and 24 threads. The i7 has 6 more cores and 8 more threads, which directly explains its multi-threaded benchmark dominance.

Cache hierarchy differs in the L2 and L3 levels. The i5 has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 24 MB of shared L3. The i7 has 2 MB of L2 per core and 30 MB of shared L3. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core. The larger per-core L2 and the 6 MB larger L3 on the i7 contribute to its higher throughput in cache-sensitive workloads like integer math and data compression.

Clock speeds tell a mixed story. The i5 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The i7 has a lower base clock of 2.20 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The i5's higher base clock helps in single-core tests where boost may not be sustained, while the i7's higher boost clock gives it headroom for short burst workloads. The i5's Cinebench R23 single-core lead of 64.9% cannot be fully explained by clock speed alone, however, since the i7 boosts 0.2 GHz higher. The recorded scores suggest the i5 sustains its boost more effectively in that specific test.

The i7 has ECC memory support enabled, while the i5 does not. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. Both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The i7 includes integrated UHD Graphics 710, while the i5 has no integrated graphics. The i7's multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the i5's multiplier is locked.

Physical and platform differences are significant. The i5 uses the Intel Socket 1700 desktop platform with a die size of 215 mm² and a TDP of 65. The i7 uses the Intel BGA 1964 mobile socket with a larger die of 257 mm² and a lower TDP of 55. Despite the i7 having more cores, its lower TDP reflects its mobile design target. The i5 has a part number of SRN35, while the i7 is SRMXH. The i5 was released on 2023-12-31, and the i7 on 2024-01-07, making the i7 the newer part by a week.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-14650HX has an average benchmark score of 41576, which is 8.0% higher than the Intel Core i5-14490F's 38149. The i7 also holds the 88th percentile against all CPUs, while the i5 holds the 86th percentile.

Q: Why does the i5-14490F win Cinebench R23 single-core by so much?

A: The i5 scores 3247 in that test against the i7's 1969, a 64.9% lead. The i5's higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 2.20 GHz, combined with its desktop socket design, likely allows it to sustain higher single-core boost behavior in that workload, even though the i7 has a higher rated boost clock of 5.20 GHz.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads. The i7-14650HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, giving it 6 additional cores and 8 additional threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The i7-14650HX supports ECC memory, while the i5-14490F does not. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The i7-14650HX includes UHD Graphics 710, while the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics, as indicated by the N/A designation in the database.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache between the two?

A: The i7-14650HX has 30 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-14490F has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7 also has 2 MB of L2 per core, compared to the i5's 1.25 MB per core.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following recorded specifications:

• Cores: The i5-14490F has 10 cores; the i7-14650HX has 16 cores.
• Threads: The i5 has 16 threads; the i7 has 24 threads.
• Base Clock: The i5 runs at 2.50 GHz; the i7 at 2.20 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The i5 boosts to 5.00 GHz; the i7 boosts to 5.20 GHz.
• TDP: The i5 is rated at 65; the i7 at 55.
• Socket: The i5 uses Intel Socket 1700; the i7 uses Intel BGA 1964.
• Codename: The i5 is Raptor Lake-R; the i7 is Raptor Lake-HX.
• Generation: The i5 is Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh); the i7 is Core i7 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh).
• Die Size: The i5 measures 215 mm²; the i7 measures 257 mm².
• L2 Cache: The i5 has 1.25 MB per core; the i7 has 2 MB per core.
• L3 Cache: The i5 has 24 MB shared; the i7 has 30 MB shared.
• ECC Memory: The i5 does not support ECC; the i7 does.
• Integrated Graphics: The i5 has N/A; the i7 has UHD Graphics 710.
• Market Segment: The i5 is Desktop; the i7 is Mobile.
• Multiplier Unlocked: The i5 is locked; the i7 is unlocked.
• Part Number: The i5 is SRN35; the i7 is SRMXH.
• Release Date: The i5 launched on 2023-12-31; the i7 on 2024-01-07.

The processors share the same architecture, process node, foundry, L1 cache size, memory support, memory bus, PCIe configuration, and production status. Both are active, both use Raptor Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process, and both support DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode with Gen 5 PCIe at 16 CPU lanes.