Intel Core i9-9980HK vs Intel Core i5-14401E

Intel Core i9-9980HK

The Intel Core i9-9980HK is a high-end processor for laptops with eight cores based on the Coffee Lake architecture (2019 refresh, CFL-HR). The processor clocks at between 2.4 - 5 GHz and can execute up to sixteen threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. The 5 GHz can only be reached using the "Thermal Velocity Boost" which allows one core to boost to 5 GHz (+100 MHz) as long as the CPU temperature is below 50°C. Multiple cores can be boosted +100 MHz? below 50°C (not verified). Compared to the predecessor, the Core i9-8950HK, the 9980H is based on the same architecture but offers 2 more cores and higher clock speeds (boost).

According to Intel, the CPU is manufactured in an improved 14nm (14nm++) process. The i9-9980HK is the fastest model of the Coffee-Lake-H (refresh) series at the time of announcement and offers an unlocked multiplier for overclocking of the CPU.

The Coffee Lake architecture is similar to Kaby Lake and differs only in the amount of cores (now max. eight 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 33% compared to a similar clocked 6-core processor. According to first benchmarks, the mobile variant can reach the performance of the Core i9-9900K if the cooling is sufficient.

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.

Intel Core i5-14401E

The Intel Core i5-14401E 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 4.7 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 65 W by default which is the standard value for desktop CPUs.

The i5-14401TE has slightly lower CPU clock speeds and wattage but is otherwise identical to the i5-14401E.

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 14401E can run at up to 4.7 GHz, to remind you.) If we multiply the values by 6, we get a reasonably fair projection that sees the 14401E being just a little ahead of newer but not particularly powerful chips like Intel's Ultra 5 228V (Lunar Lake product family) and 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.