The Intel Core i9-14900K is the objective winner of this comparison, securing more total spec victories across the evaluated fields. Its most significant technical advantage is the L2 Cache, which is 237% larger than that of the alternative. While the Intel Core i5-14400 holds its own in several categories, the superior cache capacity of the i9-14900K represents the most substantial performance-related difference between these two processors.

Users prioritizing budget efficiency should select the Intel Core i5-14400, as it offers a 62% advantage in MSRP compared to the higher-tier model. Conversely, those who require the maximum technical specifications and the expanded L2 Cache provided by the Intel Core i9-14900K should opt for the latter. Choosing between these components depends entirely on whether your primary goal is minimizing initial expenditure or maximizing the specific hardware advantages found in the i9-14900K.