Core i5-14400 vs Core i9-11900K

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 i5-14400 vs Core i9-11900K 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 i5-14400 vs Core i9-11900K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-14400

2024

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $318 less on MSRP ($221 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
✅Delivers 147.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.6 vs 46.4 PassMark/$ ($221 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Core i9-11900K

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (24,990 vs 25,329).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 46.4 vs 114.6 PassMark/$ ($539 MSRP vs $221 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-14400 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-14400 better than Core i9-11900K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-11900K is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-14400 pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark. Core i5-14400 also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-14400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Core i5-14400 is the better buy right now. Core i5-14400 comes in $318 cheaper on MSRP at $221 MSRP versus $539 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-11900K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 147.2% better value on MSRP (114.6 vs 46.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i9-11900K can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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

Core i5-14400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-14400 vs Core i9-11900K Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i9-11900K

The Core i9-11900K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 24,990 points. Launch price was $539.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-14400 packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-11900K offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-14400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i5-14400 versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-11900K — a 10.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900K (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-14400 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-11900K uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-14400 scores 25,329 against the Core i9-11900K's 24,990 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-14400. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-14400 vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900K.

Feature	Core i5-14400	Core i9-11900K
Cores / Threads	10 / 16+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	5.2 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.5 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+25%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	25,329+1%	24,990

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-14400 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-11900K uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-14400	Core i9-11900K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-14400 was priced at $221, while the Core i9-11900K came in at $539. On launch pricing ($221 vs $539), Core i5-14400 was $318 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-14400 delivers 114.6 pts/$ vs 46.4 pts/$ for the Core i9-11900K — making the Core i5-14400 the 84.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-14400	Core i9-11900K
MSRP	$221-59%	$539
Performance per Dollar	114.6+147%	46.4
Release Date	2024	2021

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