Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core i9-13900HK Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data reveals a fascinating split between these two Intel parts. The Intel Core i5-14490F, a desktop processor, wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i9-13900HK, a mobile chip, takes 5. The most dramatic victory for the i5-14490F comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 3247 against the i9-13900HK's 1843.5, a staggering 76.1% advantage. This is not a marginal gap; it is a generational-style leap in single-threaded performance that fundamentally changes how these processors should be evaluated.

The multi-core picture is more nuanced. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-14490F posts 23000 points versus the i9-13900HK's 16025, a 43.5% lead. This is the largest multi-threaded delta in the entire benchmark suite. However, in the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the i9-13900HK actually wins, scoring 2398 against 2318, a 3.3% edge. The R20 multi-core test flips back to the i5-14490F with 9660 versus 9548, a slim 1.2% margin. This inconsistency across Cinebench versions suggests that the i9-13900HK's advantage may be tied to specific workload characteristics or power management behavior under shorter-duration tests.

The Passmark suite adds further texture. The i9-13900HK wins integer math (94120 vs 87844, a 6.7% edge), floating-point math (68020 vs 66558, a 2.1% edge), data encryption (19198 vs 18225, a 5.1% edge), and random string sorting (36662 vs 35608, a 2.9% edge). These are all throughput-oriented tasks where the i9's higher core count (14 vs 10) and thread count (20 vs 16) likely provide the foundation. The i5-14490F counters with wins in data compression (340026 vs 329454, a 3.2% edge), extended instructions (21731 vs 19534, an 11.2% edge), prime number finding (122 vs 110, a 10.9% edge), and physics (2093 vs 1896, a 10.4% edge). The i5 also leads in Passmark's multithread test (28662 vs 28194, a 1.7% edge) and single-thread test (3873 vs 3810, a 1.7% edge).

What does this data imply? The i5-14490F appears to have a significant architectural efficiency advantage in single-core and lightly-threaded workloads, while the i9-13900HK leverages its extra physical resources to win in specific heavy-compute scenarios. The overall average benchmark score reinforces this: the i5-14490F sits at 38149, placing it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the i9-13900HK averages 37425, in the 85th percentile. The delta between their average scores is small, but the distribution of wins tells a story of divergent strengths.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F wins every single-core benchmark in the database. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 3247 versus 1843.5 for the i9-13900HK, a 76.1% advantage. In Passmark single-thread, it leads 3873 to 3810, a 1.7% edge.

Q: Does the i9-13900HK ever beat the i5-14490F in multi-core tests?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-13900HK scores 2398 against the i5-14490F's 2318, a 3.3% win. However, the i5-14490F wins Cinebench R20 multi-core (9660 vs 9548, 1.2% edge) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (23000 vs 16025, 43.5% edge).

Q: What is the core and thread configuration difference?

A: The i9-13900HK has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads. Despite fewer cores, the i5-14490F wins the majority of multi-threaded benchmarks.

Q: Are these processors on the same architecture?

A: Both use Intel's Raptor Lake architecture and are built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The i5-14490F is part of the Core 14th Gen series with the Raptor Lake-R codename, while the i9-13900HK belongs to the Core 13th Gen series with the Raptor Lake-H codename.

Q: What is the difference in their cache configurations?

A: Both share 24 MB of L3 cache and 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The key difference is in L2 cache: the i5-14490F has 1.25 MB per core, while the i9-13900HK has 2 MB per core.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i9-13900HK has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, compared to the i5-14490F's 5.00 GHz. The i5-14490F has a base clock of 2.50 GHz, while the i9-13900HK has a base clock of 2.60 GHz.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Raptor Lake architecture and fabricated on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry, yet they are distinct products with different design goals. The i5-14490F is a desktop part using the Raptor Lake-R codename, while the i9-13900HK is a mobile processor with the Raptor Lake-H codename. This difference in market segment is reflected in their sockets: the i5-14490F uses Intel Socket 1700, while the i9-13900HK uses Intel BGA 1744.

The die size differs notably. The i9-13900HK has a die size of 257 mm², while the i5-14490F is smaller at 215 mm². This larger die likely accommodates the i9's additional cores and threads, 14 cores and 20 threads versus 10 cores and 16 threads for the i5. The L2 cache configuration also differs: the i5-14490F provides 1.25 MB per core, while the i9-13900HK offers 2 MB per core. Both share the same L1 cache at 80 KB per core and the same L3 cache at 24 MB shared.

The integrated graphics situation is another key architectural distinction. The i5-14490F has no integrated graphics, listed as "N/A", while the i9-13900HK includes Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. This makes the i9-13900HK a more self-contained package for mobile systems, whereas the i5-14490F requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

PCIe support also differs. The i5-14490F offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes available from the CPU, while the i9-13900HK provides PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes. This aligns with their respective platforms: desktop systems typically have more expansion headroom, while mobile designs constrain lane allocation. The i9-13900HK also has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5-14490F does not, suggesting different intended user bases even within the same architecture family.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge across several key specification fields. The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the i9-13900HK has 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are close: 2.50 GHz for the i5-14490F and 2.60 GHz for the i9-13900HK. The boost clock favors the i9-13900HK at 5.40 GHz, compared to 5.00 GHz for the i5-14490F.

Thermal design power (TDP) differs significantly: the i5-14490F is rated at 65 W, while the i9-13900HK is rated at 45 W. This is notable because the i9-13900HK achieves its performance within a lower TDP envelope, likely due to mobile power management optimizations. The i5-14490F, as a desktop part, has a higher TDP budget.

Memory support is identical on paper: both support DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory. The socket is a major differentiator: Intel Socket 1700 for the i5-14490F versus Intel BGA 1744 for the i9-13900HK, meaning they are not interchangeable in any system.

The release dates differ by about a year. The i9-13900HK was released on January 3, 2023, while the i5-14490F came later on December 31, 2023. The i9-13900HK has a launch MSRP of $697. The i5-14490F has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. Both processors are currently marked as Active in production status.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i5-14490F as the stronger overall performer, despite having fewer cores and threads. Its 12 benchmark wins against 5 for the i9-13900HK, combined with a higher average benchmark score (38149 vs 37425) and a higher percentile ranking (86th vs 85th), make a compelling case. The i5-14490F's dominance in Cinebench R23, both multi-core (43.5% lead) and single-core (76.1% lead), is particularly striking. The R23 multi-core result of 23000 versus 16025 is the kind of margin that suggests the i5-14490F is not just slightly better, but fundamentally more efficient in sustained multi-threaded workloads.

The i9-13900HK is not without merit. It wins in integer math, floating-point math, encryption, and random string sorting within the Passmark suite, and it edges out the i5-14490F in Cinebench R15 multi-core. Its higher core count and larger L2 cache (2 MB per core) may explain these wins in certain compute-heavy tasks. However, the i9-13900HK's single-core performance is a clear liability, particularly the 1843.5 score in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is less than 57% of the i5-14490F's 3247.

For a desktop user, the i5-14490F is the clear choice based on benchmark data alone. For a mobile user who needs the i9-13900HK's form factor and integrated graphics, the data shows it can handle specific workloads well, but it will lose ground in general-purpose and single-threaded tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14490F wins in scenarios that emphasize single-core responsiveness and sustained multi-core throughput. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3247, a 76.1% advantage over the i9-13900HK, makes it the choice for applications that are latency-sensitive or rely heavily on single-threaded performance. Its win in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 43.5% suggests it also excels in longer, more demanding multi-threaded renders. The i5-14490F also leads in data compression (3.2% edge), extended instructions (11.2% edge), prime number finding (10.9% edge), and physics (10.4% edge), indicating strengths in scientific computing, compression workloads, and simulation tasks.

The Intel Core i9-13900HK wins in specific computational domains. Its integer math score of 94120, a 6.7% lead over the i5-14490F, points to advantages in general arithmetic-heavy code. The floating-point math win (2.1% edge) suggests capability in certain numerical workloads. The data encryption win (5.1% edge) is relevant for security-focused applications. The random string sorting win (2.9% edge) indicates efficiency in sorting and data manipulation tasks. The Cinebench R15 multi-core win (3.3% edge) may reflect better performance in shorter-burst multi-threaded operations, possibly due to its higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz.

The i9-13900HK also has the advantage of integrated Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, which the i5-14490F lacks entirely. For a mobile system without a discrete GPU, this is a decisive feature. The i9-13900HK's unlocked multiplier also offers overclocking potential, while the i5-14490F is locked. In summary, the i5-14490F is the benchmark champion for most workloads, while the i9-13900HK holds specific niches in math-heavy and encryption tasks, plus the practical benefit of integrated graphics for mobile use.