Intel Core i5-14500

Name: Intel Core i5-14500
Brand: Intel
SKU: 66036

Manufacturer: Intel

The Intel Core i5-14500 is a desktop processor occupying the mainstream segment of Intel's lineup, built around a hybrid core design that pairs six performance cores clocked at 2.6GHz with eight efficiency cores running at 1.9GHz. Together these deliver 20 threads, giving the chip meaningful headroom for parallel workloads while keeping thermal demands at a manageable 65W TDP. It fits the LGA 1700 socket and is compatible with a broad range of chipsets spanning from entry-level H610 boards up through the enthusiast-oriented Z790 platform.

The processor supports DDR5 memory at up to 4800MHz across two channels, with a maximum capacity of 192GB and a peak bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, and notably includes ECC memory support — an uncommon feature at this tier. On the graphics side, the integrated UHD Graphics 770 brings 32 execution units, a boost clock of 1550MHz, and support for up to four displays with OpenGL 4.5 and OpenCL 3.0. The chip connects via PCIe 5.0 and carries 11.5MB of L2 cache alongside a 24MB L3 cache. Benchmark figures include a PassMark multi-core score of 31,462 and a Geekbench 6 multi-core result of 12,997, with single-core scores of 3,953 and 2,534 respectively.

Pros

ECC memory support is included, which is uncommon at this level and makes the processor viable for workloads where data integrity is a priority
The 20-thread hybrid core layout across 14 cores allows for meaningful parallelism in multi-threaded workloads within a 65W thermal envelope
A maximum memory capacity of 192GB across dual DDR5 channels gives substantial headroom for memory-intensive desktop applications
PCIe 5.0 support enables compatibility with the latest storage and expansion hardware
The 24MB L3 cache combined with 11.5MB of L2 cache provides a sizeable cache hierarchy to support sustained workloads
Broad chipset compatibility across seven platforms — from H610 to Z790 — gives flexibility when selecting a motherboard

Cons

The clock multiplier is locked, so there is no ability to overclock the processor beyond its factory turbo behavior
The overclocked PassMark result of 31,701 sits only marginally above the standard score of 31,462, confirming that performance tuning headroom is effectively negligible
The integrated UHD Graphics 770 has only 32 execution units and a base clock of 300MHz, limiting it to basic display output rather than graphically demanding tasks
DDR5 support is capped at 4800MHz, which is on the lower end of what the DDR5 standard can support

Who is this for?

The Intel Core i5-14500 is well-suited to desktop users who need a capable processor for multi-threaded workloads such as content creation, data processing, and productivity-heavy multitasking, where its 20-thread hybrid core layout and large cache hierarchy can be put to good use. The inclusion of ECC memory support also makes it a reasonable fit for small workstation builds or reliability-focused environments where memory error correction matters. Users who need flexibility in platform selection will also benefit from its compatibility with seven chipsets spanning from entry-level to high-end boards, and the PCIe 5.0 interface ensures the platform can accommodate the latest storage and expansion devices without bottlenecking.

Who is this NOT for?

Users looking to extract additional performance through overclocking will find this processor unsuitable, as the locked clock multiplier effectively caps tuning potential — something the near-identical standard and overclocked benchmark scores confirm. Those with demanding graphics workloads or gaming requirements will also find the integrated UHD Graphics 770 insufficient, given its limited 32 execution units and low base clock, making a discrete GPU necessary for anything beyond basic display tasks. Additionally, users who require the fastest available DDR5 memory speeds may find the 4800MHz memory ceiling a limiting factor if their workflows are highly sensitive to memory throughput.

General info:

Type	Desktop
CPU socket	LGA 1700
chipset	B760, H770, Z790, H610, H670, B660, Z690
Has integrated graphics	✓
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	65W
semiconductor size	10 nm
CPU temperature	100 °C
PCI Express (PCIe) version	5
Supports 64-bit	✓

This is a desktop processor using the LGA 1700 socket, compatible with a wide range of chipsets including H610, B660, H670, B760, H770, Z690, and Z790, giving it flexibility across various motherboard configurations. It is built on a 10nm semiconductor process, operates within a 65W TDP, and has a maximum rated temperature of 100°C. The chip includes integrated graphics, supports 64-bit computing, and connects to the system via PCIe 5.0.

Performance:

CPU speed	6 x 2.6 & 8 x 1.9 GHz
CPU threads	20 threads
turbo clock speed	5GHz
Has an unlocked multiplier	✕
L2 cache	11.5 MB
L3 cache	24 MB
Uses big.LITTLE technology	✓
clock multiplier	26
Turbo Boost version	2

The processor uses big.LITTLE technology to combine six performance cores running at 2.6GHz with eight efficiency cores at 1.9GHz, totaling 20 threads across the hybrid layout. Turbo Boost version 2 allows clock speeds to reach up to 5GHz under load, managed through a fixed clock multiplier of 26 — the multiplier is locked and cannot be adjusted. Cache resources are generous for this configuration, with 11.5MB of L2 cache and 24MB of L3 cache supporting the core complex to help reduce memory access latency across sustained workloads.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result	31462
PassMark result (single)	3953
Geekbench 6 result (multi)	12997
Geekbench 6 result (single)	2534
PassMark result (overclocked)	31701

In multi-threaded testing, the processor achieves a PassMark score of 31,462 and a Geekbench 6 multi-core result of 12,997, reflecting solid throughput across parallel workloads. Single-core results come in at a PassMark of 3,953 and a Geekbench 6 single-core score of 2,534, indicating reasonable per-core responsiveness for lightly threaded tasks. An overclocked PassMark result of 31,701 is also recorded, though the marginal difference from the standard score suggests limited headroom beyond factory settings given the locked multiplier.

Integrated graphics:

GPU clock speed	300 MHz
GPU name	UHD Graphics 770
GPU turbo	1550 MHz
GPU execution units	32
supported displays	4
OpenGL version	4.5
OpenCL version	3
texture mapping units (TMUs)	16
render output units (ROPs)	8
shading units	256

The integrated graphics solution is the Intel UHD Graphics 770, with a base clock of 300MHz and a boost frequency of 1550MHz. It is equipped with 32 execution units, 256 shading units, 16 texture mapping units, and 8 render output units, forming a modest but functional fixed-function pipeline. The GPU supports up to four simultaneous displays and is compatible with OpenGL 4.5 and OpenCL 3.0, covering standard graphics and general-purpose compute workloads handled at the integrated level.

Memory:

RAM speed (max)	4800 MHz
maximum memory bandwidth	76.8 GB/s
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
maximum memory amount	192GB
Supports ECC memory	✓

The processor supports DDR5 memory at speeds up to 4800MHz across a dual-channel configuration, delivering a maximum memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. It can address up to 192GB of RAM, providing substantial capacity for memory-intensive workloads. Notably, the chip also supports ECC memory, allowing for error-correcting configurations that are typically associated with workstation and reliability-focused use cases.

Features:

instruction sets	MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
uses multithreading	✓
Has NX bit	✓

The processor supports multithreading and includes the NX bit for hardware-enforced memory protection against certain code execution exploits. Its instruction set support covers MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2, spanning legacy multimedia extensions through to modern vector processing, fused multiply-add operations, and hardware-accelerated AES encryption, making the feature set well-rounded for a broad range of compute workloads.

Final Verdict

The Intel Core i5-14500 is a well-rounded desktop processor that covers a broad range of everyday and professional workloads without demanding excessive thermal headroom. Its 20-thread hybrid core layout, paired with a generous cache structure and the notable inclusion of ECC memory support, gives it a practical edge for users who need both throughput and reliability in a mainstream desktop platform. PCIe 5.0 compatibility adds longevity to the platform, and the wide chipset support means it slots into a variety of build configurations with ease. While it is not designed for overclocking enthusiasts or users with demanding graphics needs, it delivers a coherent and dependable specification set for productivity-oriented and workstation-adjacent desktop builds. For users who value stability, thread count, and memory flexibility over tuning headroom, the Core i5-14500 makes a solid and straightforward case for itself.