The Intel Core i3-14100 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victories in nine out of fourteen evaluated specifications. Its most significant technical advantage over the Intel Core i5-11400F is its L2 cache, which is 67% larger. This substantial improvement in cache capacity provides the primary performance edge for the newer architecture, allowing it to outperform the older model across the majority of the measured categories.

Users prioritizing modern architecture and the efficiency of a larger L2 cache should select the Intel Core i3-14100. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-11400F remains the superior choice for those whose specific workloads require a higher total core count, as it offers a 50% advantage in that area. Choosing between these two processors depends entirely on whether your primary needs are better served by the cache-heavy design of the newer model or the higher core count of the older one.