Intel Core i5-14600K vs Intel Core i7-13850HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between these two Intel processors, with the Core i5-14600K claiming 11 wins against 6 for the Core i7-13850HX across the recorded tests. The most dramatic margin comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i7-13850HX posts a score of 4333 against the i5-14600K's 2064, a 109.9% advantage. That is not a small gap; it is a near-doubling of single-threaded rendering performance. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, with the i7 leading 436 versus 297, a 46.8% delta.

However, the i5-14600K counters decisively in other Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5 scores 3640 against the i7's 3093, a 15% lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i5 posts 13709 versus 12891, a 6% margin. The i7-13850HX takes the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with 30695 against 24491, a 25.3% advantage. This inconsistency across Cinebench versions suggests workload-specific scaling behaviors rather than a simple overall winner.

PassMark results further illustrate the split. The i5-14600K wins data compression with 482020 versus 441525, an 8.4% edge. Data encryption goes to the i5 at 27533 versus 26062, a 5.3% margin. Extended instructions favor the i5 at 28546 versus 26586, a 6.9% gap. Random string sorting also belongs to the i5, 51949 versus 49198, a 5.3% lead. Floating-point math is nearly tied, with the i5 at 92794 and the i7 at 92369, a mere 0.5% difference. The i5 also wins the PassMark multi-thread test at 38682 versus 36870, a 4.7% margin, and single-thread at 4270 versus 3769, an 11.7% edge.

The i7-13850HX counters in PassMark with prime number finding, scoring 184 against 162, a 13.6% lead. Integer math goes to the i7 at 126852 versus 125737, a slim 0.9% margin. Physics barely favors the i7, 2483 versus 2473, a 0.4% difference. These smaller wins show the i7's strength in specific computational patterns, but they do not offset the i5's broader advantages across the majority of tested workloads.

Aggregate scores reinforce the picture. The i7-13850HX has an average benchmark score of 50761, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT at 50718 (0.1% behind), the Intel Core i9-14900T at 51015 (0.5% ahead), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 at 50448 (0.6% behind), and the Intel Core i9-13980HX at 50398 (0.7% behind). The i5-14600K averages 48618, also in the 90th percentile, with nearest rivals including the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H at 48698 (0.2% ahead), the AMD EPYC 4345P at 48470 (0.3% behind), the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX at 48287 (0.7% behind), and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 at 48995 (0.8% ahead). The i7 holds a 4.4% aggregate score advantage, yet the i5 wins more individual tests.

The Verdict

The data points to different use cases rather than a single superior processor. The Core i7-13850HX is the pick for workloads that reward high single-core Cinebench performance and specific integer or prime-number operations. Its 109.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 46.8% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core are not trivial. Anyone running software that scales with those specific benchmarks would see a substantial benefit. The i7 also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 25.3%, which suggests strong performance in certain rendering tasks.

The Core i5-14600K, meanwhile, wins the majority of PassMark tests and two of the three Cinebench multi-core versions. Its 15% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 6% lead in Cinebench R20 multi-core show consistent multi-threaded capability. The i5 also holds an 11.7% single-thread PassMark advantage, which contrasts sharply with the i7's Cinebench single-core dominance. This indicates that benchmark methodology matters: different tools measure different aspects of single-thread performance.

For users prioritizing the average benchmark score, the i7-13850HX leads at 50761 versus 48618. For users prioritizing the number of benchmark wins, the i5-14600K leads 11 to 6. The choice depends on which benchmarks reflect the target workload. The i7's nearest rival list includes mobile-class processors like the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 and the Core i9-13980HX, while the i5's rivals include server and desktop parts like the Xeon Gold 5318H and EPYC 4345P. This placement hints at the intended market segments.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i7-13850HX shows clear wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (30695 versus 24491), Cinebench R23 single-core (4333 versus 2064), Cinebench R15 single-core (436 versus 297), PassMark prime number finding (184 versus 162), PassMark integer math (126852 versus 125737), and PassMark physics (2483 versus 2473). These results suggest strengths in rendering tasks, integer-heavy computation, and prime-number-based workloads. The 25.3% R23 multi-core win and 109.9% R23 single-core win make this processor attractive for content creation software that uses Cinebench-style rendering engines.

The Core i5-14600K dominates Cinebench R15 multi-core (3640 versus 3093), Cinebench R20 multi-core (13709 versus 12891), Cinebench R20 single-core (1935 versus 1819), PassMark data compression (482020 versus 441525), data encryption (27533 versus 26062), extended instructions (28546 versus 26586), floating-point math (92794 versus 92369), multi-thread (38682 versus 36870), random string sorting (51949 versus 49198), and single-thread (4270 versus 3769). This broad set of wins covers compression, encryption, SIMD-style extended instruction workloads, and general floating-point math. The i5's PassMark single-thread lead of 11.7% is notable given the i7's Cinebench single-core advantage.

The workload split is clear. The i7 excels in Cinebench-derived metrics and specific integer operations. The i5 excels in the broader PassMark suite, including data-centric tasks and general math. Users running Cinebench-based benchmarks should favor the i7. Users running PassMark-based tests or mixed productivity workloads should favor the i5.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-13850HX averages 50761, while the Intel Core i5-14600K averages 48618. The i7 leads by 4.4%.

Q: How many benchmark wins does each processor have in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600K wins 11 tests, while the Intel Core i7-13850HX wins 6 tests.

Q: What is the largest single-benchmark margin between the two?

A: The Core i7-13850HX leads the Core i5-14600K by 109.9% in Cinebench R23 single-core, with scores of 4333 versus 2064.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-13850HX has 20 cores and 28 threads. The Intel Core i5-14600K has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-13850HX and the Intel Core i5-14600K support ECC memory.

Q: What is the process node for both processors?

A: Both processors are built on Intel's 10 nm process node, with the same 257 mm² die size.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-13850HX and Intel Core i5-14600K share the same Raptor Lake architecture family but differ in several key specifications. The i7-13850HX is part of the Raptor Lake-HX mobile series, while the i5-14600K belongs to the Raptor Lake Refresh desktop series. Both use the 10 nm process node and have identical die sizes of 257 mm², fabricated by Intel.

Core counts differ significantly. The i7-13850HX has 20 cores and 28 threads, while the i5-14600K has 14 cores and 20 threads. This gives the i7 a 42.9% core advantage and a 40% thread advantage. The base clock speeds also differ: the i7 runs at 2.10 GHz, while the i5 runs at 3.50 GHz. Boost clocks are identical at 5.30 GHz for both processors.

Cache configuration varies. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache differs, with the i7 offering 30 MB shared versus the i5's 24 MB shared. The i7's larger L3 cache aligns with its higher core count, but the i5's smaller cache may be sufficient for its fewer cores.

Memory support and PCIe lanes show another split. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel buses. The i7 offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the i5 offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The extra 4 lanes on the i7 could matter for storage or expansion configurations.

Integrated graphics are identical: both include UHD Graphics 770. The i7 uses the Intel BGA 1964 socket, indicating a soldered mobile design, while the i5 uses the Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. Both have unlocked multipliers, and both are listed as active production parts. The i7 launched on 2023-01-03, while the i5 launched on 2023-10-16. The i7 carries launch MSRP of $428, while the i5 carries launch MSRP of $319. TDP differs substantially: the i7 has a 55 W TDP, while the i5 has a 125 W TDP. This reflects the i7's mobile efficiency focus versus the i5's desktop performance orientation.