Intel Core i5-14500 vs Intel Core i9-14901KE Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14500 and Intel Core i9-14901KE occupy different positions in Intel's 14th Gen desktop lineup, and the recorded data shows a clear split in their intended workloads. The i5-14500 delivers a full benchmark suite with 19 recorded scores, while the i9-14901KE has no benchmark entries in the database, making direct performance comparisons impossible from measured results alone.

The i5-14500 is the only one of the two with recorded performance data. Its benchmark scores span Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, Geekbench, and a comprehensive PassMark suite covering integer math, floating point math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, random string sorting, physics, multithread, and single-thread tests. This breadth of coverage positions the i5-14500 as a fully characterized part, with an average benchmark score of 38531 and a percentile rank of 86 against all CPUs in the database.

The i9-14901KE, by contrast, shows no benchmark scores, no average score, and no nearest rivals. Its percentile rank of 50 reflects the absence of measured data rather than actual performance. The specification sheet, however, indicates a higher clock ceiling and larger cache allocation, suggesting the i9 is engineered for peak single-thread responsiveness and heavier multi-threaded loads that scale with cache capacity.

Where each one wins, based on available facts, comes down to this: the i5-14500 wins on verified performance data and broad workload coverage, while the i9-14901KE wins on paper specifications that point to higher frequency and more substantial cache resources.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use the same fundamental architecture: Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on Intel's 10 nm process node at Intel's own foundry. Both use the Intel Socket 1700, support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, include UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics, and offer Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both support ECC memory, and both carry the Core 14th Gen series label.

The core configurations diverge sharply. The i5-14500 provides 14 cores and 20 threads, while the i9-14901KE provides 8 cores and 16 threads. The i5 has more cores and threads, which typically benefits highly parallel workloads, but the i9 counters with higher clock speeds: a 3.80 GHz base clock and 5.80 GHz boost clock versus the i5's 2.60 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost. The i9's boost clock is 0.80 GHz higher, and its base clock is 1.20 GHz higher.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both allocate 80 KB of L1 per core. The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the i5 versus 2 MB per core on the i9, a 0.75 MB per-core advantage for the i9. The shared L3 cache is 24 MB on the i5 versus 36 MB on the i9, a 12 MB advantage. The i9's larger per-core and shared caches align with its higher frequency design. The die size differs as well: the i5 measures 215 mm², while the i9 measures 257 mm², a 42 mm² difference that reflects the i9's larger cache arrays.

Power characteristics separate the two further. The i5 carries a 65 watt TDP, while the i9 is rated at 125 watts, a 60 watt difference. The i9's higher power envelope supports its elevated clocks and larger caches. The i5 has a locked multiplier, while the i9 has an unlocked multiplier, indicating the i9 is intended for overclocking. The i5's launch MSRP is $232; the i9 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Release timing also differs: the i5 was released on 2024-01-07, while the i9 followed on 2024-06-30, a gap of roughly six months. Both remain active in production status. Part numbers are SRN3T for the i5 and Q49DSRNJC for the i9.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for these two processors, and the i9-14901KE has no benchmark scores of its own. Consequently, a direct numerical comparison cannot be made from measured results. What the data does provide is a complete performance profile for the i5-14500, which can be interpreted against the i9's absence of data.

The i5-14500's Cinebench results show a multicore score of 2435 in R15, 10985 in R20, and 15012 in R23. Its single-core scores are 273 in R15, 1550 in R20, and 1917 in R23. The Geekbench results show 13390 for multicore and 2099 for single-core. PassMark scores include 108124 for integer math, 79576 for floating point math, 371294 for data compression, 21457 for data encryption, 22473 for extended instructions, 106 for find prime numbers, 40980 for random string sorting, 1746 for physics, 30777 for multithread, and 3952 for single-thread (recorded under both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread).

These numbers establish the i5-14500 as a strong mid-range desktop part. Its percentile rank of 86 places it above the vast majority of CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals, all within a narrow band, are the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T with an average score of 38561 and a delta of -0.1 percent, the Intel Xeon w3-2525 with 38392 and a delta of 0.4 percent, the Intel Core 9 270H with 38335 and a delta of 0.5 percent, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H with 38312 and a delta of 0.6 percent. These deltas are all under one percent, indicating that the i5-14500 sits in a tightly contested performance cluster.

For the i9-14901KE, the absence of benchmarks means no wins can be credited. The specification sheet suggests higher single-thread potential from the 5.80 GHz boost clock and larger 36 MB L3 cache, but without recorded scores, the database cannot confirm any performance advantage. The i5-14500, by virtue of having measured results, holds every recorded win in this comparison.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14500 has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The i5-14500 has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The i9-14901KE has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, which is 1.20 GHz higher at base and 0.80 GHz higher at boost.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: Both use 80 KB of L1 per core. The i5-14500 has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 24 MB of shared L3. The i9-14901KE has 2 MB of L2 per core and 36 MB of shared L3, giving it 0.75 MB more L2 per core and 12 MB more L3.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory and expansion features?

A: Yes. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, include UHD Graphics 770, offer Gen 5 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes, and support ECC memory.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i5-14500 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i9-14901KE has a TDP of 125 watts, a difference of 60 watts.

Q: Are either of these processors overclockable?

A: The i5-14500 has a locked multiplier, so it is not overclockable. The i9-14901KE has an unlocked multiplier, so it supports overclocking.

Q: Which processor has benchmark scores in the database?

A: Only the i5-14500 has recorded benchmark scores. The i9-14901KE has no benchmark entries, no average score, and no nearest rivals in the database.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the Intel Core i5-14500 and the Intel Core i9-14901KE:

• Cores: 14 (i5) versus 8 (i9)
• Threads: 20 (i5) versus 16 (i9)
• Base clock: 2.60 GHz (i5) versus 3.80 GHz (i9)
• Boost clock: 5.00 GHz (i5) versus 5.80 GHz (i9)
• TDP: 65 watts (i5) versus 125 watts (i9)
• Die size: 215 mm² (i5) versus 257 mm² (i9)
• L2 cache: 1.25 MB per core (i5) versus 2 MB per core (i9)
• L3 cache: 24 MB shared (i5) versus 36 MB shared (i9)
• Multiplier unlocked: false (i5) versus true (i9)
• Launch MSRP: $232 (i5) versus null (i9)
• Release date: 2024-01-07 (i5) versus 2024-06-30 (i9)
• Part number: SRN3T (i5) versus Q49DSRNJC (i9)

Fields that remain identical include the manufacturer (Intel), series (Core 14th Gen), socket (Intel Socket 1700), architecture and codename (Raptor Lake, Raptor Lake-R), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (80 KB per core), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (Dual-channel), ECC memory support (true), PCIe (Gen 5, 16 lanes CPU only), integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), market segment (Desktop), and production status (Active).