Intel Core i7-14700K vs Intel Core i5-7Y54 vs Intel Core i9-14900K

Intel Core i7-14700K

The Intel Core i5-14700K is a desktop processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, which inherits the 13th generation of Intel Core processors with minor improvements. The processor offers a base clock of 2.5 GHz or 3.4 GHz and reaches up to 5.6 GHz in Turbo. The basic CPU structure remains unchanged. The Intel Core i5-14700K features 8 P-cores and 12 E-cores, allowing up to 28 threads to be processed in parallel. The Intel Core i5-14700K still offers a freely selectable multiplier, which makes overclocking much easier. It is also based on the LGA 1700 socket, which was already introduced with Alder Lake.

Performance

Compared to the Intel Core i5-13700K, the IPC of the new Core i5-14700K has only been increased slightly. This means that the difference in performance is only due to the higher number of efficiency cores (12 vs. 8) and higher clock rates.

Graphics unit

Like the Intel Core i5-13700K, the Intel Core i5-14700K also has an integrated graphics unit. The Intel Iris Xe architecture continues to serve as the basis. In terms of performance, however, nothing has changed with the Intel UHD Graphics 770.

Power consumption

The TDP of the Intel Core i5-14700K is 125 watts, with the option of consuming up to 253 watts in Turbo mode.

Intel Core i5-7Y54

The Intel Core i5-7Y54 is a very efficient dual-core SoC for tablets and passively cooled notebooks based on the Kaby Lake architecture and was announced in the end of August 2016. The CPU consists of two processor cores clocked at 1.2-3.2 GHz (2-core Turbo not specified yet). Thanks to Hyper Threading, the processor can execute up to four threads simultaneously. The chips also includes the Intel HD Graphics 615 GPU, a dual-channel memory controller (DDR3L/LPDDR3) as well as VP9 and H.265 video de- and encoder. It is still produced in a 14 nm process with FinFET transistors. 

Architecture

Intel basically used the familiar micro architecture from the Skylake generation, so the per-MHz performance is identical. Only the Speed-Shift technology for faster dynamic adjustments of the voltages and clocks was improved, and the matured 14 nm process now also enables much higher frequencies and better efficiency than before. 

Performance

Despite the changed designation, the Core i5-7Y54 is the successor to the Core m5-6Y54 (Skylake Y-series), so the chip does not reach the performance level of other Core i processors due to the lower TDP. Thanks to its high Turbo clock, the 7Y54 can sometimes keep up with the 15 Watt models for short peak load and single-thread scenarios, but the clocks will drop significantly under sustained workloads. The CPU is still suitable for many more demanding applications as well as multitasking. 

Graphics

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 615 GPU has 24 Execution Units (EUs) like the old HD Graphics 515 and runs with clocks between 300 and 950 MHz in combination with this processor. The performance heavily depends on the TDP limit as well as the memory configuration; with fast LPDDR3-1866 RAM in dual-channel mode, the GPU should sometimes be able to compete with the HD Graphics 520, but can also be much slower in other scenarios. Modern games from 2016 will, if at all, only run smoothly in the lowest settings.

Contrary to Skylake, Kaby Lake now also supports hardware decoding for H.265/HEVC Main10 with a 10-bit color depth as well as Google's VP9 codec.

Power Consumption

The chip is manufactured in an improved 14 nm process with FinFET transistors, so the power efficiency was once again improved significantly. The typical TDP for the Y-series is specified at 4.5 Watts, and can be adjusted in both directions depending on the usage scenario.

Intel Core i9-14900K

The Intel Core i9-14900K is a high-end processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, similar to the Intel Core i9-13900K last year. The base clock is 3.2 GHz and can reach up to 6 GHz under optimal conditions. The total of 32 threads are still divided into 8 P and 16 E cores. The 8 performance cores (P-cores) also offer hyperthreading, which means that a total of 32 threads can be processed simultaneously in conjunction with the 16 energy-efficient E-cores. As before, the K models continue to offer a freely selectable multiplier, which simplifies overclocking. The Intel Core i9-14900K uses the same CPU socket (LGA 1700) as the Intel Core i9-13900K. This means you don't necessarily need a new motherboard, as the 600 series chipsets support the new processors after a BIOS update. There is also still the option of using DDR4 for the RAM.

Performance

Compared to the Intel Core i9-13900K, the Core i9-14900K still offers 8 P-cores, which are relieved by 16 additional E-cores for demanding applications and thus ensure very high multi-thread performance. In comparison, however, the Intel Core i9-14900K can only gain a slight lead. The e-cores primarily take care of background applications. The hybrid architecture relies on the Intel Thread Director, which is responsible for the correct allocation of tasks. Meanwhile, the IPC could only be increased slightly. As an innovation with the Intel Core i9-14900K, the manufacturer is increasingly relying on AI, which is also used for overclocking. With one click in the Intel Extreme Utility, the tool checks the entire system and makes the necessary settings.

Graphics unit

Like the Intel Core i9-13900K, the Intel Core i9-14900K offers an integrated graphics unit. The Intel Iris Xe architecture continues to serve as the basis. In terms of performance, however, nothing has changed with the Intel UHD Graphics 770.

Power consumption

The Intel Core i9-14900K is specified with a TDP of 125 watts, which corresponds to the PL1 value. In Boost mode, the processor's performance can increase to up to 253 watts (PL2). However, this requires very good cooling. Compared to the Intel Core i9-13900K, the specified power consumption does not increase if the limits are adhered to. The situation is different if the limits are deactivated. As this value depends on the overall system, we cannot make an exact statement on this.