Intel Core i5-14500HX vs Intel Core i9-14901E Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall benchmark performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E holds a higher average benchmark score of 37911, placing it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i5-14500HX scores 35094 on average, sitting in the 84th percentile. The i9-14901E leads by roughly 8% in aggregate performance.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The i5-14500HX has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite fewer cores, the i9-14901E still wins most multi-threaded benchmarks due to higher clock speeds.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The i5-14500HX has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The i9-14901E has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The i9-14901E runs faster at both ends of the frequency range.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i9-14901E has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-14500HX has 24 MB. Both have 80 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core.

Q: Are both processors on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both are built on Intel's 10 nm process node and share the same Raptor Lake architecture. Both have a die size of 257 mm² and are manufactured by Intel.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Both processors support ECC memory and use dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory. They also both feature PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes and integrated UHD Graphics 770.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14901E dominates in heavily threaded rendering workloads and raw computational throughput. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the i9-14901E wins every multi-core and single-core test, with consistent deltas around -5.9% for the i5-14500HX. In PassMark's integer math, floating point math, and physics tests, the i9-14901E also leads, with advantages of 15.2%, 14.4%, and 37.2% respectively. The i9-14901E also wins in random string sorting by 7.5% and in single-thread performance by 16.7%.

The Intel Core i5-14500HX carves out wins in data compression, data encryption, and extended instruction workloads. It beats the i9-14901E by 15.6% in data compression, by 5% in data encryption, and by 16.1% in extended instructions. These are the only three benchmark categories where the i5-14500HX takes the lead, but they point to specific strengths in memory-heavy or cryptographic operations.

The overall win count is heavily skewed: the i9-14901E wins 14 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the i5-14500HX wins 3. The i9-14901E's higher boost clock and larger L3 cache give it a broad performance edge, but the i5-14500HX's higher core count helps in specific parallel workloads that benefit from additional threads.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Raptor Lake architecture and are built on Intel's 10 nm process. The codename for the i5-14500HX is Raptor Lake-HX, while the i9-14901E uses Raptor Lake-R. Both are part of the Core 14th Gen series, but the i5-14500HX is a mobile segment part released on January 7, 2024, and the i9-14901E is a desktop segment part released on June 30, 2024.

The core configuration differs significantly. The i5-14500HX packs 14 cores and 20 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement with performance and efficiency cores. The i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads, which suggests a uniform set of performance cores. Despite fewer threads, the i9-14901E's higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz compared to 4.90 GHz on the i5-14500HX allows it to outpace the mobile chip in most workloads.

Cache hierarchy also differs. The i9-14901E has 36 MB of L3 cache versus 24 MB on the i5-14500HX. Both have identical L1 and L2 cache sizes per core. The larger L3 cache on the i9-14901E likely contributes to its stronger performance in cache-sensitive tasks like integer math and random string sorting.

The socket and form factor are distinct. The i5-14500HX uses Intel BGA 1964, a soldered mobile socket, while the i9-14901E uses Intel Socket 1700 for desktop installation. The i5-14500HX has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i9-14901E is locked. The i5-14500HX has a TDP of 55 watts, and the i9-14901E has a TDP of 65 watts.

Specification Differences

• Cores: 14 (i5-14500HX) vs 8 (i9-14901E)
• Threads: 20 (i5-14500HX) vs 16 (i9-14901E)
• Base Clock: 2.60 GHz (i5-14500HX) vs 2.80 GHz (i9-14901E)
• Boost Clock: 4.90 GHz (i5-14500HX) vs 5.60 GHz (i9-14901E)
• TDP: 55 W (i5-14500HX) vs 65 W (i9-14901E)
• Socket: Intel BGA 1964 (i5-14500HX) vs Intel Socket 1700 (i9-14901E)
• Codename: Raptor Lake-HX (i5-14500HX) vs Raptor Lake-R (i9-14901E)
• Generation Label: Core i5 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh) vs Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh)
• L3 Cache: 24 MB (i5-14500HX) vs 36 MB (i9-14901E)
• Market Segment: Mobile (i5-14500HX) vs Desktop (i9-14901E)
• Release Date: 2024-01-07 (i5-14500HX) vs 2024-06-30 (i9-14901E)
• Multiplier: Unlocked (i5-14500HX) vs Locked (i9-14901E)
• Part Number: SRMXJ (i5-14500HX) vs Q49ESRNJH (i9-14901E)

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a clear pattern: the i9-14901E wins all six tests by nearly identical margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-14901E scores 2595 against 2442 for the i5-14500HX, a 5.9% gap. Single-core R15 shows 366 versus 344, also a 6% difference. The R20 multi-core test gives 10816 versus 10178, and R20 single-core gives 1526 versus 1436. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 25753 versus 24234, and R23 single-core shows 3635 versus 3421. In every Cinebench test, the delta is -5.9% for the i5-14500HX except R15 single-core at -6%.

PassMark results reveal a more mixed picture. The i5-14500HX wins data compression decisively, scoring 333851 versus 288777, a 15.6% advantage. Data encryption also goes to the i5-14500HX, 19502 versus 18571, a 5% lead. Extended instructions favor the i5-14500HX even more, 20019 versus 17249, a 16.1% gap.

The i9-14901E responds strongly in arithmetic and physics-based tests. Prime number finding shows the i9-14901E at 189 versus 130, a 31.2% lead. Floating point math goes to the i9-14901E, 81089 versus 69442, a 14.4% advantage. Integer math shows 112736 versus 95584, a 15.2% lead. The physics test is the largest gap, 3041 versus 1911, a 37.2% difference.

Multithread and single-thread PassMark scores both favor the i9-14901E. Multithread shows 30298 versus 28508, a 5.9% gap. Single-thread scores are 4354 versus 3629, a 16.7% lead. Random string sorting goes to the i9-14901E at 39138 versus 36219, a 7.5% edge.

The benchmark data shows that the i9-14901E is consistently faster in CPU-heavy compute tasks, particularly those that benefit from high clock speeds and a large cache. The i5-14500HX only surpasses it in workloads that involve data movement, encryption, or specialized instruction sets, where its higher thread count and lower power envelope appear to help.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i9-14901E is the stronger processor in the majority of recorded benchmarks. It wins 14 of 17 tests, including every Cinebench test, all PassMark arithmetic tests, and the multithread and single-thread PassMark scores. Its higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz and larger 36 MB L3 cache give it a clear edge in rendering, physics, and integer-heavy workloads. The 86th percentile placement versus the 84th percentile for the i5-14500HX reflects this broader performance lead.

The Intel Core i5-14500HX remains relevant for specific tasks. Its wins in data compression, data encryption, and extended instructions indicate that it handles memory-heavy or cryptography-related workloads more efficiently. The 14-core, 20-thread configuration, combined with a lower 55 W TDP, makes it a viable option for mobile systems where power draw and thread parallelism matter. Its unlocked multiplier also allows overclocking, which the locked i9-14901E does not permit.

Users choosing between these two should consider the workload type. For general compute, multi-threaded rendering, and single-thread responsiveness, the i9-14901E is ahead in nearly every metric. For data compression and encryption tasks, the i5-14500HX delivers better results. The i9-14901E's desktop socket and locked multiplier suit a fixed workstation build, while the i5-14500HX's mobile socket targets laptops or compact systems where the lower TDP is an advantage. The data does not support a single universal winner; it supports a split decision based on the specific benchmark category.