Intel Core 7 250H vs Intel Core i5-14500HX Comparison

The Intel Core 7 250H and Intel Core i5-14500HX are both 14-core, 20-thread mobile processors from Intel’s Raptor Lake family, yet they present two very different performance profiles. The Core 7 250H, a Raptor Lake-H Refresh part, posts a higher average benchmark score of 35,728 compared to the Core i5-14500HX’s 35,094, but the head-to-head data reveals a clear split: the Core i5 wins 13 of the 17 benchmark comparisons, while the Core 7 wins only 4. This is not a straightforward generational upgrade; instead, it is a case where the newer chip excels in specific single-threaded and integer workloads, while the older HX-series part dominates across the board in multi-threaded and general compute tasks. The data suggests these chips are optimized for different use cases, despite sharing the same core and thread counts.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 250H carves out a narrow but decisive niche in single-threaded performance and integer-heavy math. Its most significant victory is in PassMark’s single-thread test, where it scores 4,148 against the Core i5-14500HX’s 3,629—a 14.3% advantage. This is a substantial lead for tasks that rely on a single core’s speed, such as legacy application responsiveness or lightly threaded workloads. The Core 7 also wins PassMark integer math with 99,100 versus 95,584, a 3.7% edge, indicating an advantage in general-purpose arithmetic and logic operations that scale with per-core efficiency.

The Intel Core i5-14500HX, by contrast, is the multi-threaded powerhouse. Its wins are broad and often large. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 24,234 against the Core 7’s 16,561—a massive 31.7% lead. It also wins Cinebench R20 multi-core (10,178 vs 9,697) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (2,442 vs 3,147, where the Core 7 actually wins). The i5-14500HX also takes every PassMark workload except integer math and single-thread, including data compression (333,851 vs 303,269), data encryption (19,502 vs 18,206), extended instructions (20,019 vs 17,318), and floating-point math (69,442 vs 65,094). Its multi-thread score of 28,508 beats the Core 7’s 27,030, and it leads in physics (1,911 vs 1,824) and random string sorting (36,219 vs 34,136). The pattern is clear: the Core 7 250H is a single-thread specialist, while the i5-14500HX is the general-purpose and multi-core workhorse.

Architecture Differences

Both chips are built on Intel’s 10 nm process and share the same Raptor Lake architecture, but they belong to different variants: Raptor Lake-H versus Raptor Lake-HX. The most striking difference is in the base and boost clocks. The Core 7 250H has a lower base clock of 2.50 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz, whereas the Core i5-14500HX starts at 2.60 GHz and boosts to 4.90 GHz. This explains the Core 7’s single-thread advantage—its peak frequency is 0.5 GHz higher—while the i5’s higher base clock and lower boost suggest it sustains multi-threaded loads better.

The thermal design power (TDP) differs significantly: the Core 7 250H is rated at 45 W, while the Core i5-14500HX is rated at 55 W. This 10 W difference likely contributes to the i5’s superior sustained multi-core performance, as it can draw more power to keep all cores active. The sockets also differ—the Core 7 uses Intel BGA 1744, while the i5 uses Intel BGA 1964—which means they are not interchangeable in the same laptop motherboard. The Core i5-14500HX has a larger die size at 257 mm², while the Core 7’s die size is not listed, suggesting a different physical layout despite the same process node.

Cache configurations are identical: both have 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is also the same (DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel), but the i5-14500HX adds ECC memory support, a feature absent on the Core 7. PCIe lanes differ: the Core 7 offers Gen 5 with 8 CPU lanes, while the i5-14500HX offers Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, doubling the available bandwidth for discrete GPUs or storage. Integrated graphics also differ—the Core 7 pairs with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while the i5 uses UHD Graphics 770. The Core i5-14500HX is multiplier-unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the Core 7 is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results tell a story of divergent strengths. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core 7 250H wins with a score of 3,147 against the i5-14500HX’s 2,442, a 28.9% lead. This is the Core 7’s largest multi-threaded win, but it is an outlier. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i5 takes over, scoring 10,178 to the Core 7’s 9,697, a 4.7% margin. The gap widens dramatically in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i5 scores 24,234 versus 16,561, a 31.7% lead. The trend suggests that as the workload becomes more demanding and longer-running, the i5-14500HX’s higher TDP and base clock allow it to pull away.

Single-core Cinebench results are consistently in favor of the i5-14500HX, despite the Core 7’s higher boost clock. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i5 scores 344 against the Core 7’s 298, a 13.4% advantage. In R20 single-core, the i5 leads 1,436 to 1,368 (4.7%), and in R23 single-core, the i5 wins 3,421 to 1,931—a massive 43.6% gap. This is counterintuitive given the Core 7’s 5.40 GHz boost, but the data is unambiguous. The PassMark single-thread test flips the script: the Core 7 wins 4,148 to 3,629, a 14.3% lead. These contradictory results suggest the two tests measure different aspects of single-core performance, with PassMark favoring the Core 7’s architecture and Cinebench favoring the i5’s.

In the broader PassMark suite, the i5-14500HX dominates nearly every category. It wins data compression by 9.2% (333,851 vs 303,269), data encryption by 6.6% (19,502 vs 18,206), extended instructions by 13.5% (20,019 vs 17,318), and find prime numbers by 18.5% (130 vs 106). Floating-point math goes to the i5 by 6.3% (69,442 vs 65,094), and physics by 4.6% (1,911 vs 1,824). Random string sorting also favors the i5, 36,219 to 34,136 (5.8%). The Core 7’s only other win beyond single-thread and integer math is PassMark multi-thread, where it scores 27,030 against the i5’s 28,508—a 5.2% loss for the Core 7. The i5-14500HX is the clear winner in overall compute throughput.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 250H has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14500HX boosts to 4.90 GHz. The Core 7’s 0.5 GHz advantage helps it win the PassMark single-thread test (4,148 vs 3,629), but it does not translate to Cinebench single-core wins, where the i5 leads by up to 43.6%.

Q: How much faster is the Core i5-14500HX in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Core i5-14500HX scores 24,234 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Core 7 250H scores 16,561. This gives the i5 a 31.7% advantage, making it the better choice for heavily threaded workloads.

Q: Do both processors have the same cache configuration?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 7 250H and the Intel Core i5-14500HX have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. They also both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core 7 250H has a TDP of 45 W, while the Intel Core i5-14500HX has a TDP of 55 W. The higher TDP of the i5 likely contributes to its superior multi-threaded performance, as seen in its 5.2% lead in PassMark multi-thread.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-14500HX supports ECC memory, as indicated in its specifications. The Intel Core 7 250H does not list ECC support.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does each processor provide?

A: The Intel Core 7 250H provides 8 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core i5-14500HX provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). This doubles the available bandwidth for the i5, which is significant for discrete GPUs or high-speed storage.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy, but the right choice depends on the workload. For users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness, the Intel Core 7 250H is the winner. Its 14.3% lead in PassMark single-thread (4,148 vs 3,629) and 3.7% edge in integer math (99,100 vs 95,584) make it suitable for applications that are not heavily parallelized. Its lower TDP of 45 W also suggests it may be more efficient in thin-and-light laptops, though the data does not directly measure power draw.

For everything else, the Intel Core i5-14500HX is the superior processor. It wins 13 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including all Cinebench multi-core tests, with its largest margin being 31.7% in Cinebench R23 multi-core. It also leads in memory-sensitive tasks like data compression (9.2% faster) and encryption (6.6% faster). The i5-14500HX’s higher TDP of 55 W, larger die size of 257 mm², and 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes make it a more capable platform for demanding mobile workstations. Its support for ECC memory and unlocked multiplier further differentiate it as a professional-grade part. Given that the i5 also has a higher average benchmark score relative to its nearest rival (0.3% above the Intel Core i9-12900HX), while the Core 7 sits 0.2% above the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, the i5-14500HX is the more versatile and powerful choice for content creation, rendering, and heavy multitasking.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core 7 250H | Intel Core i5-14500HX |

|-------|-------------------|------------------------|

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Die Size | Not listed | 257 mm² |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $502 | Not listed |

| Release Date | 2024-12-17 | 2024-01-07 |

| Benchmarks (avg) | 35,728 | 35,094 |

| Percentile | 85th | 84th |