Intel Core i5-14400 ES processor features 10 cores in both C0 and B0 revisions

Intel Core i5-14400 ES features 10 cores (6 P-cores and 4 E-Cores)

Intel is evaluating two possible variants of the upcoming Core i5-14400 CPU.

Earlier this month, a list of all Intel 14th Gen Core desktop CPUs has emerged with a small note. The Core i5-14400 SKU, still in pre-release state, is said to be using either C0 or B0 silicons. Interestingly, a similar variation affected with Core i5-13400 and i5-12400 models before.

Contrary to what the leaked spec list has shown, the C0 and B0 silicons are to utilize the same core configuration of 6 P-Cores and 4 E-cores. The chart from YuuKi-AnS listed QDF code of Q3XZ with 8 E-cores, but the screenshots provided by ECSM appear to suggest that both silicon revisions will be locked to 4 E-Core config.

Intel Core i5-14400 samples, Source: ECSM

While it is not entirely confirmed what B0 and C0 die revision mean for Raptor Lake Refresh, it is a fact that Core i5-13400 is using the similar die revisions. The newer B0 die was a native implementation of 8 P-Cores and 16 E-Cores, while C0 was a leftover die from Alder Lake’s top SKU configuration of 8 P-Cores and 8-Cores.

As explained by HWCooling who dug into the story deeper. The Core i5-13400 CPUs with B0 silicons were primarily shipped on trays to system integrators, while the retail version in a box with Laminar RM1 cooler was using C0. Therefore, the chances of getting a B0 silicon were slim, but it was relatively easy to spot the difference by comparing S-SPEC codes and, once the box was opened, by looking at the backside of the CPU.

Intel Core i5-13400 with B0 (left) and C0 (right) steppings, Source: HWCooling

Overall, Intel seems to target its Core i5 1×400 SKUs in each generation by mixing silicons for better yields. Ultimately, it may not always matter to gamers, but some silicons may offer different configurations of cache. In the case of i5-14400 that shouldn’t be an issue. The CPU is now expected to debut early next year along the rest of the 65W non-K Raptor Lake Refresh models.

Source: ECSM