Intel Core 7 251E vs Intel Core i5-14501TE Comparison

Both processors occupy the same Intel Socket 1700 platform and share the same 10 nm process node, but they are fundamentally different designs with distinct core counts and performance targets. The Core 7 251E, a Bartlett Lake part, arrives with 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Core i5-14501TE, from the Raptor Lake Refresh family, offers 6 cores and 12 threads. This fourfold difference in core count is the primary driver of their respective positions in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 7 251E is positioned for heavily threaded workloads. Its 24 cores and 32 threads provide a substantial pool of execution resources that scale well across parallel tasks. The recorded data shows this processor with a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, which is the highest frequency in this comparison, allowing it to also serve demanding single-threaded applications that benefit from raw clock speed. The combination of a high core count and the top boost clock makes it a versatile choice for workloads that can use every available thread, from content creation to compilation tasks.

The Core i5-14501TE takes a different approach. With only 6 cores and 12 threads, it depends on a lower power envelope of 45 W TDP, compared to the 65 W TDP of the Core 7 251E. The base clock of 2.20 GHz is slightly higher than the 2.10 GHz of the larger chip, which suggests a focus on efficiency at lower operating points. This processor is better suited for scenarios where power consumption is a critical constraint and the workload does not require massive parallelism. Its boost clock of 5.10 GHz still provides respectable single-thread performance, but the data indicates it will trail the Core 7 251E in multi-threaded tasks due to the significant core deficit.

The benchmark wins are not populated in the database for this pair, so the analysis relies on the architectural specifications and clock frequencies. The Core 7 251E clearly wins in any scenario that can utilize more than six cores, which includes most modern productivity and rendering workloads. The Core i5-14501TE wins in efficiency-sensitive environments where its lower TDP and adequate core count for light tasks are sufficient.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and codenames. The Core 7 251E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is listed under the Core 7 generation. The Core i5-14501TE uses the Raptor Lake-R codename and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, specifically the Raptor Lake Refresh generation. Both are fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry, but the die sizes differ substantially. The Core 7 251E has a die size of 257 mm², while the Core i5-14501TE measures 215 mm². This difference reflects the additional cores and larger cache present on the Bartlett Lake part.

Cache organization is another major divergence. The Core 7 251E carries 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, resulting in a shared L3 cache of 36 MB. The Core i5-14501TE also has 80 KB of L1 per core but only 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with a shared L3 cache of 24 MB. The larger L3 cache on the Core 7 251E provides a significant advantage for workloads that repeatedly access a large working set of data, reducing the need to go to system memory.

Memory support is identical in terms of types, with both supporting DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The Core 7 251E has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Core i5-14501TE does not have a memory bandwidth figure in the database. Both support ECC memory and use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are the same UHD Graphics 770 on both parts, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 7 251E was released in January 2025, while the Core i5-14501TE came earlier in June 2024.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data for this pair is empty in the database, so there are no direct scores to compare. However, the specification differences provide a clear basis for projection. The Core 7 251E has 24 cores versus 6 cores, a 5.60 GHz boost clock versus 5.10 GHz, and 36 MB of L3 cache versus 24 MB. Each of these factors points to the Core 7 251E delivering higher performance in multi-threaded benchmarks.

The core count disparity is the most decisive factor. In a hypothetical multi-threaded test that scales linearly, the Core 7 251E would have four times the thread count of the Core i5-14501TE. Even with a lower base clock of 2.10 GHz versus 2.20 GHz, the sheer number of cores and threads would produce a significantly higher aggregate score. The larger L2 cache per core (2 MB versus 1.25 MB) also helps the Core 7 251E by reducing memory latency for each core.

For single-threaded performance, the boost clock advantage of the Core 7 251E (5.60 GHz versus 5.10 GHz) suggests it would take the lead in lightly threaded tests as well. The higher boost frequency allows the processor to execute a single thread faster, assuming thermal and power limits permit sustained operation at that clock. The Core i5-14501TE, with its 45 W TDP, may face more stringent power constraints that limit how often it can reach its 5.10 GHz boost.

The memory bandwidth figure of 89.6 GB/s for the Core 7 251E further supports its advantage in memory-intensive workloads. The Core i5-14501TE lacks a recorded bandwidth number, but given its dual-channel memory bus and smaller cache, it is likely to be less capable in this regard. The data indicates that the Core 7 251E wins on every measurable performance metric, with the only advantage for the Core i5-14501TE being its lower TDP.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Core i5-14501TE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of the two processors?

A: The Core 7 251E has a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, while the Core i5-14501TE has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The Core 7 251E has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, and the Core i5-14501TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Core 7 251E and the Core i5-14501TE support ECC memory.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Core 7 251E has a TDP of 65 W, and the Core i5-14501TE has a TDP of 45 W.

Q: Which processor has a larger die size?

A: The Core 7 251E has a die size of 257 mm², which is larger than the 215 mm² die size of the Core i5-14501TE.

The Verdict

The data clearly separates these two processors by workload type. The Core 7 251E is the superior choice for any task that can leverage its 24 cores and 32 threads. Its 5.60 GHz boost clock, 36 MB L3 cache, and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth provide a comprehensive performance package that dominates the Core i5-14501TE in both multi-threaded and single-threaded scenarios. The only scenario where the Core i5-14501TE has an advantage is when the 45 W TDP is a hard requirement, such as in a compact system with limited cooling or a specific power budget. For those cases, the 6-core, 12-thread configuration with a 5.10 GHz boost clock offers a functional, lower-power alternative. Otherwise, the Core 7 251E delivers more cores, more cache, higher clocks, and greater memory bandwidth, making it the clear performance leader in this comparison. The release timeline also matters: the Core 7 251E launched in January 2025, while the Core i5-14501TE debuted in June 2024, meaning the newer part brings the more advanced configuration to the same socket.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 251E | Intel Core i5-14501TE |

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

| Cores | 24 | 6 |

| Threads | 32 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.60 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-R |

| Generation | Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) | Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 215 mm² |

| L2 Cache (per core) | 2 MB | 1.25 MB |

| L3 Cache (shared) | 36 MB | 24 MB |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| Release Date | January 2025 | June 2024 |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | Not recorded |