Intel Core 7 160UL vs Intel Core i7-14701E Comparison

Intel Core 7 160UL and Intel Core i7-14701E are both desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1700 platform, but they target very different performance tiers. The Core 7 160UL is a low-power Raptor Lake-PS part with 10 cores and a 15 W TDP, while the Core i7-14701E is a Raptor Lake Refresh chip with 8 cores, a 65 W TDP, and significantly higher clock speeds. Benchmark data shows the Core i7-14701E winning all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, often by margins exceeding 50%. This analysis breaks down the architectural and specification differences, interprets the benchmark results, and identifies which workloads favor each processor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 7 160UL has 10 cores, while the Intel Core i7-14701E has 8 cores. However, the Core i7-14701E has 16 threads versus 12 threads on the Core 7 160UL.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Core 7 160UL has a 15 W TDP, while the Core i7-14701E has a 65 W TDP. The Core 7 160UL is designed for much lower power consumption.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701E supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 7 160UL does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The Core 7 160UL boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the Core i7-14701E boosts slightly higher to 5.40 GHz.

Q: How do the integrated graphics differ?

A: The Core 7 160UL uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while the Core i7-14701E uses UHD Graphics 770.

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701E has an average benchmark score of 33206, compared to 14232 for the Core 7 160UL. The Core i7-14701E also sits in the 83rd percentile versus the 69th percentile for the Core 7 160UL.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use the Raptor Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process node, but they come from different branches of that family. The Core 7 160UL is based on the Raptor Lake-PS codename, which is the desktop variant of the mobile-oriented chip design. The Core i7-14701E uses the Raptor Lake Refresh codename, representing the later iteration of the architecture with revised tuning.

The core configurations differ substantially. The Core 7 160UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, meaning it likely uses a mix of performance and efficiency cores where some efficiency cores do not add extra threads. The Core i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads, indicating all cores are hyperthreaded. Despite having fewer physical cores, the Core i7-14701E offers more threads, which contributes to its multithreaded performance advantage.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both CPUs have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the Core 7 160UL and 2 MB per core on the Core i7-14701E. The L3 cache is 12 MB shared on the Core 7 160UL versus 33 MB shared on the Core i7-14701E. The larger cache on the Core i7-14701E reduces memory latency and improves data reuse in compute-heavy workloads.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 7 160UL ships with Iris Xe Graphics featuring 96 execution units, which is a more capable iGPU for light gaming or media tasks. The Core i7-14701E uses UHD Graphics 770, a more modest integrated solution. The Core 7 160UL also supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i7-14701E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. This gives the Core i7-14701E double the PCIe bandwidth and a newer standard for expansion cards and storage.

The Core i7-14701E has a die size of 257 mm², while the die size for the Core 7 160UL is not recorded. Both are produced by Intel on the same 10 nm node. The release dates differ slightly, with the Core 7 160UL launching on 2024-04-07 and the Core i7-14701E on 2024-06-30. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core i7-14701E across all 17 recorded tests. The smallest margin comes in PassMark single-thread tests, where the Core i7-14701E scores 4305 versus 3391 for the Core 7 160UL, a delta of -21.2%. This is the closest result in the entire comparison, indicating that single-core performance is relatively less lopsided than other metrics.

The largest margin appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core i7-14701E scores 176 versus 50 for the Core 7 160UL, a delta of -71.6%. This test relies heavily on integer math and cache efficiency, areas where the Core i7-14701E's larger L3 cache and higher clocks provide a massive advantage.

In Cinebench tests, the pattern is consistent. For Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core i7-14701E scores 22195 versus 9386 for the Core 7 160UL, a delta of -57.7%. The single-core R23 result shows 3133 versus 1325, also a -57.7% delta. The identical delta across both single and multicore Cinebench tests suggests the clock speed and IPC difference between the two chips is uniform across scaling.

PassMark data compression shows the Core i7-14701E at 282939 versus 108953 for the Core 7 160UL, a delta of -61.5%. Data encryption yields 14862 versus 7146, a -51.9% delta, which is one of the smaller gaps. Extended instructions show 18528 versus 5832, a -68.5% delta. Floating point math results are 61873 versus 25670, a -58.5% delta. Integer math shows 81325 versus 47515, a -41.6% delta, which is the second-smallest margin.

PassMark multithread scores are 26112 for the Core i7-14701E and 11043 for the Core 7 160UL, a -57.7% delta. Physics simulation scores are 2399 versus 819, a -65.9% delta. Random string sorting shows 29158 versus 11843, a -59.4% delta. The Core i7-14701E wins all 17 tests, with winsA being 0 and winsB being 17.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this gap. The Core i7-14701E has an average score of 33206, while the Core 7 160UL has 14232. In percentile terms, the Core i7-14701E ranks in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 7 160UL sits in the 69th percentile. The nearest rivals for the Core i7-14701E include the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H with an average score of 33201 and a delta of 0%, and the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS at 33244 with a -0.1% delta. The Core 7 160UL's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C at 14277 with a -0.3% delta and the Intel Core i5-10400F at 14185 with a 0.3% delta.

Specification Differences

The processors differ in several key specification fields. The Core 7 160UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Core i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 1.80 GHz for the Core 7 160UL and 2.60 GHz for the Core i7-14701E. Boost clocks are 5.20 GHz versus 5.40 GHz. The TDP is 15 W for the Core 7 160UL and 65 W for the Core i7-14701E.

The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the Core 7 160UL and 2 MB per core on the Core i7-14701E. The L3 cache is 12 MB shared versus 33 MB shared. The Core i7-14701E supports ECC memory, while the Core 7 160UL does not. PCIe support is Gen 4 with 8 lanes on the Core 7 160UL versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the Core i7-14701E. Integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics 96EU versus UHD Graphics 770.

The Core i7-14701E has a recorded die size of 257 mm², while the Core 7 160UL has no die size data. The codenames differ: Raptor Lake-PS for the Core 7 160UL and Raptor Lake-R for the Core i7-14701E. The generation is listed as Core 7 (Raptor Lake-PS) versus Core i7 (Raptor Lake Refresh). The part numbers differ as well, with the Core i7-14701E having part number Q49FSRNJK. Both share the same socket, memory support (DDR4 and DDR5), dual-channel memory bus, 80 KB L1 cache per core, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core i7-14701E is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark, with an average score of 33206 that places it in the 83rd percentile. The Core 7 160UL, with an average score of 14232, sits in the 69th percentile. The Core i7-14701E delivers more than double the multicore performance in Cinebench R23 (22195 versus 9386) and nearly triple the PassMark multithread score (26112 versus 11043).

The Core 7 160UL's advantage is not in performance but in power efficiency. Its 15 W TDP is drastically lower than the Core i7-14701E's 65 W TDP. This makes the Core 7 160UL suitable for systems where thermal output and energy consumption are primary constraints. It also has a more capable integrated GPU with 96 execution units versus the Core i7-14701E's UHD Graphics 770, which matters for systems without a discrete graphics card.

For users who prioritize raw compute performance, the Core i7-14701E is the only choice between these two. Its higher clocks, larger L3 cache, more threads, and PCIe Gen 5 support make it the better option for demanding workloads. The Core 7 160UL makes sense only for low-power builds where the performance gap is acceptable in exchange for a much lower TDP.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-14701E wins in all 17 head-to-head benchmark categories. The largest advantages appear in PassMark find prime numbers at -71.6%, extended instructions at -68.5%, and physics at -65.9%. These workloads benefit from the Core i7-14701E's higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz, larger 33 MB L3 cache, and 16 threads. The smallest advantage is in single-thread PassMark at -21.2%, where the Core 7 160UL's 5.20 GHz boost clock narrows the gap but cannot overcome the Core i7-14701E's architectural refinements.

The Intel Core 7 160UL wins in efficiency and integrated graphics capability. Its 15 W TDP is a fraction of the Core i7-14701E's 65 W TDP, making it suitable for compact or passively cooled systems. The Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units provides better integrated graphics performance than UHD Graphics 770, which benefits light gaming or media playback without a discrete GPU. The Core 7 160UL also uses fewer PCIe lanes (8 versus 16), which reduces platform power draw for basic configurations.

In practical terms, the Core i7-14701E is the choice for video encoding, 3D rendering, software compilation, and any multithreaded productivity work. The Core 7 160UL is the choice for low-power servers, HTPCs, or office machines where the workload is light and power consumption is the deciding factor. The benchmark data does not show a single test where the Core 7 160UL takes the lead, so its selection is entirely based on power and iGPU considerations rather than compute performance.