Core 7 250H vs Core i5-14400

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 7 250H vs Core i5-14400 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 7 250H vs Core i5-14400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 7 250H

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-14400

2024

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 7 250H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (25,329 vs 25,530).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $221 MSRP, while Core 7 250H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 7 250H better than Core i5-14400?

Yes. Core 7 250H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 18.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 7 250H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 7 250H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core 7 250H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-14400 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core 7 250H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $221 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-14400 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (114.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core 7 250H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 10/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 7 250H vs Core i5-14400 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 7 250H

The Core 7 250H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 December 2024 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 25,530 points. Launch price was $502.

Core i5-14400

The Core i5-14400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 25,329 points. Launch price was $221.

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Processing Power

The Core 7 250H packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i5-14400 offers 10 cores / 16 threads — the Core 7 250H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core 7 250H versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i5-14400 — a 13.9% clock advantage for the Core 7 250H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core 7 250H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-14400 uses Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 7 250H scores 25,530 against the Core i5-14400's 25,329 — a 0.8% lead for the Core 7 250H. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core 7 250H vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-14400.

Feature	Core 7 250H	Core i5-14400
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+40%	10 / 16
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+15%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)+20%	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+60%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)
PassMark	25,530	25,329

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Memory & Platform

The Core 7 250H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-14400 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.