Intel Core i5-14600 vs Intel Core i9-14901TE Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14600 and Intel Core i9-14901TE occupy different positions in the desktop market, and the benchmark data reflects that separation clearly. The i5-14600 has a complete set of recorded benchmark scores, covering Cinebench R15, R20, R23, Geekbench, and Passmark tests. The i9-14901TE has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, which means direct head-to-head comparisons must rely on architectural specifications and the percentile ranking assigned to each part.

The i5-14600 sits at the 89th percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 44,889. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-12900KS at 45,094 average score (0.5% ahead), the AMD EPYC 4344P at 45,122 (0.5% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D at 44,573 (0.7% behind), and the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H at 44,466 (1% behind). This places the i5-14600 in a competitive band where it trades blows with flagship-class parts from the previous generation and current high-end workstation and laptop chips.

The i9-14901TE, by contrast, holds the 50th percentile with no average benchmark score recorded. Its position is essentially a midpoint ranking, suggesting the database classifies it as a mid-tier performer despite the i9 branding. The i5-14600 clearly wins on available performance data, but the i9-14901TE offers a different set of tradeoffs that favor efficiency and cache capacity rather than raw multi-core throughput.

For workloads that benefit from many cores and threads, the i5-14600 is the obvious choice. Its 14 cores and 20 threads provide substantial parallel processing capability, and the recorded Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30,464 confirms this strength. For workloads that rely on single-thread speed, the i9-14901TE has a higher boost clock (5.50 GHz versus 5.20 GHz), which could give it an edge in lightly threaded applications, though no benchmark scores exist to confirm this.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R die. They use the same 10 nm process node, the same Intel foundry, the same 257 mm² die size, and the same Intel Socket 1700. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, both include ECC memory support, both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, and both integrate UHD Graphics 770. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The core configurations differ substantially. The i5-14600 provides 14 cores and 20 threads, while the i9-14901TE provides 8 cores and 16 threads. This means the i5-14600 has six more cores but only four more threads, indicating a different mix of performance and efficiency cores. The thread count delta suggests the i9-14901TE uses fewer efficiency cores relative to its performance core count, though the exact hybrid layout is not specified in the data.

Cache allocation diverges as well. Both parts use 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache differs: the i5-14600 has 24 MB, while the i9-14901TE has 36 MB. The i9-14901TE therefore offers 50% more L3 cache, which can benefit workloads with large working sets that repeatedly access shared data.

Clock speeds also differ. The i5-14600 has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The i9-14901TE has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The i9-14901TE runs 0.40 GHz lower at base but boosts 0.30 GHz higher.

Thermal design power separates the two significantly. The i5-14600 has a 65 W TDP, while the i9-14901TE has a 45 W TDP. Despite the higher boost clock and larger L3 cache, the i9-14901TE is rated for 20 W less power draw, indicating it is tuned for efficiency-constrained systems.

Release timing differs by roughly six months. The i5-14600 launched on 2024-01-07 with a launch MSRP of $255. The i9-14901TE launched on 2024-06-30 with no launch MSRP recorded in the database. The i5-14600 has part number SRN44, while the i9-14901TE has part number Q49CSRNJJ.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no shared benchmark entries between the two processors, so a direct test-by-test comparison is not possible from recorded scores. The i9-14901TE has an empty benchmarks array, and the head-to-head benchmark list is also empty. This means the following analysis relies on the i5-14600's complete benchmark profile and the architectural specifications of both parts.

The i5-14600 delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30,464 and a single-core score of 4,300. In Cinebench R20, it scores 12,794 multi-core and 1,806 single-core. In Cinebench R15, it scores 3,070 multi-core and 433 single-core. Geekbench results show 14,680 multi-core and 2,424 single-core.

Passmark results for the i5-14600 cover a range of specialized workloads. Integer math scores 117,078, floating point math scores 85,759, and extended instructions score 25,674. Data compression scores 434,620, while data encryption scores 25,082. Random string sorting scores 48,043, and finding prime numbers scores 155. The multithread score is 35,848, single thread is 4,167, and physics scores 2,330.

The i9-14901TE's higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz gives it a theoretical single-thread advantage over the i5-14600's 5.20 GHz boost, a 0.30 GHz difference. In single-threaded workloads that scale directly with clock speed, this could translate to roughly 5-6% faster performance, though no recorded data confirms this. The i9-14901TE's 36 MB of L3 cache versus 24 MB on the i5-14600 could further benefit single-threaded workloads that exhibit cache sensitivity, potentially widening the gap in real applications.

Multi-threaded performance is a different story. The i5-14600 has 14 cores and 20 threads versus 8 cores and 16 threads on the i9-14901TE. The i5-14600 offers 75% more cores and 25% more threads. Even accounting for the i9-14901TE's higher boost clock, the core count advantage should give the i5-14600 a substantial lead in heavily parallel workloads. The i5-14600's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30,464, combined with its 89th percentile ranking, indicates strong scaling across all cores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600 has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core i9-14901TE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The i5-14600 provides six additional cores and four additional threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two?

A: The i5-14600 has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The i9-14901TE has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The i9-14901TE boosts 0.30 GHz higher but runs 0.40 GHz lower at base.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The i5-14600 has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-14901TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, which is 12 MB more than the i5-14600.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The i5-14600 has a TDP of 65 W. The i9-14901TE has a TDP of 45 W. The i9-14901TE is rated for 20 W lower power consumption.

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

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

Q: What is the percentile ranking difference between the two?

A: The i5-14600 ranks at the 89th percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 44,889. The i9-14901TE ranks at the 50th percentile, with no average benchmark score recorded.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on workload type and system constraints. The i5-14600 is the stronger choice for multi-threaded performance. Its 14 cores, 20 threads, 65 W TDP, and recorded benchmark scores confirm its position at the 89th percentile. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30,464 and Geekbench multi-core score of 14,680 indicate robust parallel capability. The nearest rival data shows it trading within 1% of the Intel Core i9-12900KS, AMD EPYC 4344P, AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D, and Intel Core Ultra X9 388H, which places it in high-end territory despite the i5 branding.

The i9-14901TE serves a different purpose. Its 8 cores, 16 threads, 45 W TDP, and 36 MB L3 cache make it suitable for systems where power draw is a primary constraint. The lower TDP means it can fit in compact cooling solutions, and the larger cache can help workloads that repeatedly access shared data. The higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz gives it a potential single-thread edge, but the lack of recorded benchmark scores means this cannot be quantified from the database.

For builders prioritizing raw multi-core throughput and a proven benchmark profile, the i5-14600 is the data-supported choice. For builders prioritizing low power consumption and maximum cache per core, the i9-14901TE offers specifications that suit those goals, though its performance remains unverified in the database. The i5-14600 also has the advantage of a recorded launch MSRP of $255, providing a reference point that the i9-14901TE lacks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-14600 | Intel Core i9-14901TE |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 14 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2024-06-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $255 | None recorded |

| Part Number | SRN44 | Q49CSRNJJ |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 89 | 50 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 44,889 | 0 (no data) |

Shared specifications include Intel Socket 1700, Raptor Lake architecture, Raptor Lake-R codename, 10 nm process node, Intel foundry, 257 mm² die size, 80 KB L1 cache per core, 2 MB L2 cache per core, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics, desktop market segment, active production status, and locked multipliers.