The Intel Core i5-14600KF is the objective winner of this comparison, securing more individual spec victories than its counterpart. While both processors share several identical specifications, the Intel Core i5-14600KF provides a significant technical advantage in memory architecture, offering 300% more L2 cache than the Intel Core i3-14100. This substantial increase in cache capacity represents the most impactful performance-oriented difference between these two hardware options.

Users prioritizing budget efficiency should select the Intel Core i3-14100, which holds a 54% advantage in MSRP. Conversely, those who require the superior L2 cache capacity provided by the Intel Core i5-14600KF should choose that model for their build. The decision rests on whether the user values the lower cost of the i3-14100 or the specific architectural benefits found in the i5-14600KF.