Intel Core i5-9400H vs Intel Core i5-14401TE vs Intel Xeon E-2186M

Intel Core i5-9400H

The Intel Core i5-9400H is a high-end processor for laptops with four cores based on the Coffee Lake architecture (2019 refresh, CFL-HR). The processor clocks at between 2.5 and 4.3 GHz (4.1 with 4 cores) and can execute up to eight threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. According to Intel, the CPU is manufactured in an improved 14nm (14nm++) process. Compared to the predecessor, the Core i5-8400H from 2018, the 9300H is only clocked slightly higher (+100 MHz CPU Turbo, +50 MHz GPU).

The Coffee Lake architecture is similar to Kaby Lake and differs only in the amount of cores (now six cores for the high end versions) and the improved 14nm process (14nm++ according to Intel).

Performance

The Intel Core i5-9400H should perform similar as the older Core i7-7920HQ (3.1 - 4.1 GHz). The faster Coffee Lake CPUs, like the Core i7-9750H offers two additional cores and is therefore up to 50% faster in multithreaded benchmarks. Still, the performance of the i5-9400H should be sufficient for even demanding applications and games.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a slightly higher performance as its clock rate has been increased by 50 MHz. The architecture is identical to that of the Intel HD Graphics 630. We do expect a performance improvement, but as a low-end solution it will probably only display current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.

Power Consumption

Intel specifies the TDP with 45 watts and therefore the i5 is only suited for big laptops with good cooling solutions. Using cTDP-down, the CPU can also be configured to 35 Watt resulting in a reduced performance.

Beware, the CPU was not yet released at the time of writing and the information is based on leaks and early price list information (e.g. by Intel or on Baidu).

Intel Core i5-14401TE

The Intel Core i5-14401TE is a peculiar Raptor Lake family desktop processor (SoC) that has 6 performance cores but 0 efficient cores. It's the lack of E-cores that makes 14X01 chips special.

The product has decently sized level 2 and 3 caches at 12 MB and 24 MB, respectively. Its CPU cores run at up to 4.5 GHz. The UHD 730 serves as the integrated graphics solution. There is no 'proper' NPU here.

The i5 chip is manufactured using the Intel 7 process which is fairly old, as of mid 2025. Its base TDP sits at 45 W by default meaning at least one fan is required to keep it cool.

Performance

While we have not tested a single 14X01 processor as of May 2025, we do know that a single 4.6 GHz Raptor Cove core, like that of an i5-13450HX is good for 102 Cinebench 2024 points and 246 Cinebench R15 points. (The 14401TE is limited to 4.5 GHz, to remind you.) If we multiply the values by 6, we get a reasonably fair projection that sees the 14401TE going neck-and-neck with newer but not particularly powerful chips like Intel's Ultra 5 228V (Lunar Lake product family) as well as older chips of the more powerful kind, like AMD's Ryzen 7 5800H (Cezanne family, Zen 3 architecture). While not particularly impressive, this is most certainly sufficient for any tasks and applications one could run in 2025, top games included.

Intel Xeon E-2186M

The Intel Xeon E-2186M is a high-end processor for professional laptops with six cores based on the Coffee Lake architecture. The processor clocks at between 2.9 - 4.8 GHz (4.3 GHz with 6 cores) and can execute up to twelve threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. The 4.8 GHz can only be reached using the "Thermal Velocity Boost" which allows one core to boost to 4.8 GHz (+200 MHz) as long as the CPU temperature is below 50°C. Multiple cores can be boosted +100 MHz below 50°C.

According to Intel, the CPU is manufactured in an improved 14nm (14nm++) process. Together with the Core i9-8950HK, the E-2186M is the fastest mobile processor in early 2018. Compared to the similar consumer Core i9, the mobile Xeon offers support for ECC main memory but has a locked multiplicator (no overclocking).

The Coffee Lake architecture is similar to Kaby Lake and differs only in the amount of cores (now six cores for the high end versions) and the improved 14nm process (14nm++ according to Intel).

Performance

Due to the two additional cores, performance has increased by almost 50% compared to a similar clocked Kaby Lake processor.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a slightly higher performance as its clock rate has been increased by 50 MHz. The architecture is identical to that of the Intel HD Graphics 630. We do expect a performance improvement, but as a low-end solution it will probably only display current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.

Power Consumption

Intel specifies the TDP with 45 watts and therefore the i9 is only suited for big laptops with good cooling solutions.