Intel Core 3 201E vs Intel Core i9-14900KS Comparison

Intel Core 3 201E vs Intel Core i9-14900KS presents a stark contrast in Intel's desktop lineup. Both processors share the Intel Socket 1700 platform, allowing them to fit in the same motherboards, but their architectural philosophies and performance envelopes are entirely different. The Core 3 201E is a modest, efficient 4-core part, while the Core i9-14900KS is a flagship 24-core processor designed for maximum output. The benchmark data reveals a decisive sweep in favor of the i9, with the Core 3 201E failing to secure a single victory across all 17 recorded head-to-head tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent and overwhelming margin in favor of the Intel Core i9-14900KS. In Cinebench tests, the i9-14900KS delivers a score of 5140 in Cinebench R15 multicore, compared to the Core 3 201E's 1271, a difference of 75.3%. This pattern repeats across the entire Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the i9-14900KS scores 21417 against 5297, and in R23 multicore, it reaches 50995 versus 12613, both again reflecting a 75.3% gap. The single-core Cinebench results are equally one-sided, with the i9-14900KS scoring 725 in R15, 3023 in R20, and 7199 in R23, all exactly 75.3% ahead of the Core 3 201E's scores of 179, 747, and 1780 respectively.

PassMark tests show similar, though sometimes larger, deltas. The i9-14900KS dominates in integer math, scoring 212644 against 43894, a 79.4% difference. In floating point math, it scores 153975 versus 33260, a 78.4% gap. Data compression is another area of significant advantage, with the i9-14900KS posting 803368 compared to 164160, a 79.6% difference. The largest delta in the entire comparison appears in data encryption, where the i9-14900KS scores 47717 and the Core 3 201E scores 8931, a difference of 81.3%. Random string sorting also shows a wide gap, with the i9-14900KS at 89789 and the Core 3 201E at 17783, a 80.2% difference.

The closest contest in the entire dataset is in the PassMark single-thread test. Here, the i9-14900KS scores 4815, while the Core 3 201E scores 3482. This represents a 27.7% advantage for the i9-14900KS, which, while still a clear victory, is the smallest performance gap recorded. Other tests like PassMark physics show a 66.3% difference (3381 vs 1141), and extended instructions show a 75.8% gap (45524 vs 11035). The i9-14900KS also wins in multithread (60012 vs 14839, 75.3% difference) and find prime numbers (244 vs 57, 76.6% difference).

Where Each One Wins

The data indicates that the Intel Core i9-14900KS is the winner in every single benchmark category. There are no recorded tests where the Core 3 201E comes out ahead. This means the use-case split is entirely one-sided based on the measurements.

The i9-14900KS is the clear choice for any workload that can utilize its 24 cores and 32 threads. Its 50995 score in Cinebench R23 multicore and 60012 in PassMark multithread indicate exceptional performance in rendering, video encoding, and other heavily threaded production tasks. The 803368 score in data compression and 212644 in integer math confirm its strength in data processing and computational workloads. The 47717 score in data encryption shows it is also well-suited for security and cryptographic tasks.

The Core 3 201E, while not winning any benchmarks, still holds a position in the database with a 73rd percentile score against all CPUs. Its 3482 score in PassMark single-thread places it in a competitive position for basic tasks. The data suggests its role is for entry-level desktop computing where the 60 TDP and 4 cores are sufficient for everyday applications, though its performance is significantly below the flagship i9-14900KS.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between the two processors is substantial. The Core i9-14900KS is built on the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, and is part of the Core 14th Gen series. It features 24 cores and 32 threads, which is a hybrid configuration of performance and efficiency cores. Its boost clock reaches 6.20 GHz, and it includes a large 36 MB shared L3 cache. This processor has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for user overclocking. It also integrates UHD Graphics 770. The die size is 257 mm², and it uses a 10 nm process node, with a TDP of 150.

In contrast, the Intel Core 3 201E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is part of the Core 3 generation. It is a much simpler design with only 4 cores and 8 threads. Its boost clock is 4.80 GHz, and it has a smaller 12 MB shared L3 cache. The multiplier is locked, preventing user overclocking. It integrates UHD Graphics 730. The die size is 163 mm², also built on a 10 nm process node, but with a significantly lower TDP of 60. Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory. They also both feature Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The Core i9-14900KS has a larger L2 cache, listed as 2 MB per core, while the Core 3 201E has 1.25 MB per core. Both have an L1 cache of 80 KB per core. The memory bandwidth for the Core 3 201E is listed as 76.8 GB/s, while no specific figure is recorded for the Core i9-14900KS. The release dates differ, with the Core i9-14900KS released in March 2024 and the Core 3 201E released in January 2025.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS has a significantly higher average benchmark score of 81127, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 3 201E has an average score of 19056, placing it in the 73rd percentile.

Q: How large is the performance gap in single-threaded tasks?

A: In the PassMark single-thread test, the Intel Core i9-14900KS scores 4815, which is 27.7% higher than the Intel Core 3 201E's score of 3482. This is the smallest performance difference recorded between the two.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor supports overclocking?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable. The Intel Core 3 201E has a locked multiplier and does not support overclocking.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i9-14900KS and the Intel Core 3 201E support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS has a TDP of 150, while the Intel Core 3 201E has a TDP of 60.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors, based on the recorded data.

• Series: Intel Core i9-14900KS is part of the Core 14th Gen series. The Intel Core 3 201E has no listed series.
• Architecture/Codename: Intel Core i9-14900KS uses the Raptor Lake architecture (Raptor Lake-R). The Intel Core 3 201E uses the Bartlett Lake codename.
• Generation: Intel Core i9-14900KS is listed as Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh). The Intel Core 3 201E is listed as Core 3 (Bartlett Lake).
• Cores and Threads: Intel Core i9-14900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads. Intel Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads.
• Base Clock: Intel Core i9-14900KS has a base clock of 3.20 GHz. Intel Core 3 201E has a base clock of 3.60 GHz.
• Boost Clock: Intel Core i9-14900KS has a boost clock of 6.20 GHz. Intel Core 3 201E has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.
• TDP: Intel Core i9-14900KS has a TDP of 150. Intel Core 3 201E has a TDP of 60.
• L2 Cache: Intel Core i9-14900KS has 2 MB (per core). Intel Core 3 201E has 1.25 MB (per core).
• L3 Cache: Intel Core i9-14900KS has 36 MB (shared). Intel Core 3 201E has 12 MB (shared).
• Die Size: Intel Core i9-14900KS has a die size of 257 mm². Intel Core 3 201E has a die size of 163 mm².
• Integrated Graphics: Intel Core i9-14900KS uses UHD Graphics 770. Intel Core 3 201E uses UHD Graphics 730.
• Memory Bandwidth: Intel Core 3 201E has a listed memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. No figure is listed for Intel Core i9-14900KS.
• Release Date: Intel Core i9-14900KS was released on 2024-03-13. Intel Core 3 201E was released on 2025-01-12.
• Launch MSRP: Intel Core i9-14900KS has a launch MSRP of $689. Intel Core 3 201E has a launch MSRP of $134.
• Multiplier Unlocked: Intel Core i9-14900KS is unlocked. Intel Core 3 201E is locked.
• Part Number: Intel Core i9-14900KS is SRVTR. Intel Core 3 201E is SRN7R.