Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core i9-14900HX Comparison

Intel Core 5 221E and Intel Core i9-14900HX represent two very different Intel strategies: one a desktop-focused Bartlett Lake part, the other a mobile Raptor Lake-HX flagship. The benchmark data shows a clear split between single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads, with each processor claiming distinct victories.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-14900HX dominates the multi-threaded arena. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i9 scores 4574 against the Core 5 221E's 2613, a 42.9% advantage. The gap narrows but remains substantial in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i9's 15616 beats the Core 5's 10891 by 30.3%. Cinebench R23 multicore shows a tighter race: 30055 versus 25933, a 13.7% lead for the i9.

PassMark's multi-threaded suite reinforces this trend. The i9-14900HX posts 43778 in PassMark multithread versus 30510 for the Core 5 221E, a 30.3% margin. Data compression heavily favors the i9: 539965 against 324285, a 39.9% delta. Data encryption shows a 41.1% gap (32619 versus 19205), and extended instructions favor the i9 by 41.7% (31247 versus 18216). Integer math gives the i9 a 25.1% edge (157375 versus 117813), while floating-point math shows a 29.6% advantage (112273 versus 79028). Random string sorting leans i9 by 38.1% (60861 versus 37686). Even the physics test, which measures a more specific workload, favors the i9 at 2638 versus 2230, a 15.5% gap. Prime number finding is closer: 193 versus 173, a 10.4% i9 lead.

The Core 5 221E wins the single-threaded contests, and in some cases by dramatic margins. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows the Core 5 at 3661 versus 2181.5 for the i9, a 67.8% advantage. Cinebench R15 singlecore also goes to the Core 5: 368 versus 310.5, an 18.5% margin. Cinebench R20 singlecore breaks the pattern, going to the i9 at 2204 versus 1537, a 30.3% gap. PassMark single-thread is nearly a tie, with the i9 edging ahead 4175 to 4147, a 0.7% delta.

Overall, the i9-14900HX wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The Core 5 221E takes the other two, both in Cinebench single-threaded tests. The average benchmark score tells the same story: the i9 sits at 56004 against the Core 5's 40144. The percentile ranking places the i9 at 91 versus 87 for the Core 5. The Core 5's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 at 40081 (0.2% behind) and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 at 40048 (0.2% behind), while the i9-14900HX sits close to the Intel Core 7 253PQE at 55919 (0.2% behind) and the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 at 56273 (0.5% ahead).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename with a generation label of Core 5 (Bartlett Lake), while the i9-14900HX uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-HX codename and a Core 14th Gen series designation. Both are built on Intel's 10 nm process node and have the same 257 mm² die size. Both use Intel as the foundry.

Core counts differ significantly. The i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The i9 carries 8 more cores and 12 more threads. Cache hierarchy differs in the shared L3 pool: the i9 has 36 MB shared L3 versus 24 MB for the Core 5. Both use 80 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core.

Memory support is identical in type, with both supporting DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The Core 5 lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i9's memory bandwidth is not recorded. Both support ECC memory. PCIe capability matches: Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for both.

Integrated graphics differ. The Core 5 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the i9 uses UHD Graphics 770. The market segments differ as expected: the Core 5 is a Desktop part, the i9 is Mobile. The Core 5 has a locked multiplier, while the i9 has an unlocked multiplier.

The Core 5 221E launched on 2025-01-12 with a launch MSRP of $232. The i9-14900HX launched on 2024-01-07 with no recorded MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX boosts to 5.80 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz.

Q: Does the Core 5 221E ever beat the i9-14900HX?

A: Yes. The Core 5 221E wins Cinebench R15 singlecore (368 versus 310.5, an 18.5% margin) and Cinebench R23 singlecore (3661 versus 2181.5, a 67.8% margin).

Q: How do the two compare in average benchmark score?

A: The i9-14900HX averages 56004, putting it in the 91st percentile. The Core 5 221E averages 40144, placing it in the 87th percentile.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Core 5 221E has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i9-14900HX has a TDP of 55 watts.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i9-14900HX has 36 MB shared L3, compared to 24 MB shared L3 for the Core 5 221E.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: Yes, both are listed with an Active production status.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221E | Intel Core i9-14900HX |

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

| Series | None | Core 14th Gen |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-HX |

| Generation | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) | Core i9 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh) |

| Architecture | None listed | Raptor Lake |

| Cores | 14 | 24 |

| Threads | 20 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB shared | 36 MB shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | None |

| Multiplier | Locked | Unlocked |

| Part Number | SRQDVQ659 | SRMXF |

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward choice based on workload. The i9-14900HX is the clear multi-threaded performer, winning 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks and posting an average score 39.5% higher than the Core 5 221E. Its 24 cores and 32 threads provide a substantial advantage in rendering, compression, encryption, and math-heavy tasks. The 91st percentile ranking confirms its position among high-end parts.

The Core 5 221E has a narrower but real claim: it leads in Cinebench R15 and R23 single-threaded tests, with the R23 gap at 67.8%. Its lower TDP of 65 watts versus 55 watts for the i9 does not translate into a power advantage on paper, but its desktop socket and locked multiplier position it as a different kind of part. The Core 5 also lists a launch MSRP of $232, a data point that exists for it but not for the i9.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded throughput, the i9-14900HX is the only choice supported by the benchmark record. For workloads that depend on single-threaded Cinebench performance, the Core 5 221E shows a measurable edge. The i9's unlocked multiplier and 5.80 GHz boost clock add overclocking headroom that the Core 5 lacks. The recorded data does not show any scenario where the Core 5 closes the multi-threaded gap, and the i9 holds a narrow 0.7% single-thread PassMark lead as well. The verdict, strictly from the numbers, favors the i9-14900HX for overall performance, with the Core 5 221E as the single-thread specialist.