Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core i3-14100 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a stark contrast between these two processors. The Intel Core 7 251TE wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, with the Intel Core i3-14100 taking only 2. The margin of victory in most tests is substantial, often approaching or exceeding double the score.

In Cinebench testing, the Core 7 251TE delivers consistently dominant results. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 7 scores 2572 against 1292 for the Core i3-14100, a 99.1% advantage. The single-core test shows a similar pattern: 362 versus 182, a 98.9% delta. Cinebench R20 multicore produces 10717 for the Core 7 against 5384, a 99.1% lead, while single-core results are 1512 versus 759, a 99.2% margin. Cinebench R23 follows the same trend: multicore scores of 25518 versus 12820 (99% delta) and single-core scores of 3602 versus 1809 (99.1% delta).

PassMark results reinforce this pattern. The Core 7 251TE leads in integer math with 125739 against 45329, a 177.4% delta, the largest margin in the entire dataset. Floating point math shows 85607 versus 35266, a 142.7% advantage. Data encryption scores are 22176 versus 8838, a 150.9% delta. Prime number finding records 140 versus 55, a 154.5% gap. Physics tests show 1938 versus 958, a 102.3% lead. Random string sorting produces 39643 versus 17397, a 127.9% delta. Data compression scores 334399 against 174115, a 92.1% advantage. Extended instructions record 16974 versus 11865, a 43.1% lead, the narrowest multicore-style margin. PassMark multithread shows 30022 versus 15095, a 98.9% delta.

The single exception to Core 7 dominance appears in PassMark single-thread testing. Here the Core i3-14100 scores 3759 against 3568 for the Core 7 251TE, a 5.1% advantage. This is the only head-to-head test where the Core i3-14100 wins, and the margin is modest compared to the Core 7's leads elsewhere.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share several foundational characteristics. Both use the Intel Socket 1700, both are manufactured by Intel on a 10 nm process, and both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. Both also feature PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes and support ECC memory.

The core configuration differs dramatically. The Core 7 251TE contains 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Core i3-14100 contains 4 cores and 8 threads. This sixfold difference in core count and fourfold difference in thread count explains the substantial multicore performance gap observed in the benchmarks.

Clock speeds also differ. The Core 7 251TE has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Core i3-14100 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Core i3-14100 starts from a much higher base frequency, but the Core 7 251TE reaches a higher peak boost.

Cache allocation shows significant divergence. Both processors use 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache, however, is 36 MB on the Core 7 251TE versus 12 MB on the Core i3-14100, a threefold difference.

The dies differ in size. The Core 7 251TE measures 215 mm², while the Core i3-14100 measures 163 mm². Power consumption also varies: the Core 7 251TE has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Core i3-14100 has a TDP of 60 watts.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 7 251TE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core i3-14100 uses UHD Graphics 730. The Core 7 251TE carries the codename Bartlett Lake and belongs to the Core 7 generation. The Core i3-14100 uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-R and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series.

Memory bandwidth is listed for the Core 7 251TE at 89.6 GB/s, while no figure is recorded for the Core i3-14100 in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the Core i3-14100 win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the Core i3-14100 wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 3759 compared to 3568 for the Core 7 251TE, a 5.1% advantage.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark integer math, where the Core 7 251TE scores 125739 against 45329 for the Core i3-14100, a 177.4% delta.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. Both also support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Core 7 251TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i3-14100 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these processors?

A: The Core 7 251TE has a TDP of 45 watts. The Core i3-14100 has a TDP of 60 watts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 251TE | Intel Core i3-14100 |

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

| Cores | 24 | 4 |

| Threads | 32 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1.40 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 60 W |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-R |

| Generation | Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) | Core i3 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 163 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 36 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Release Date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | $134 |

| Part Number | SRQAXQ5ZG | SRMX1 |

Fields that remain identical between the two include the socket (Intel Socket 1700), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (80 KB per core), L2 cache (1.25 MB per core), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC memory support (true), PCIe configuration (Gen 5, 16 Lanes CPU only), market segment (Desktop), production status (Active), and multiplier lock (false).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 251TE wins in every multicore and throughput-oriented category recorded in the database. Cinebench multicore tests across R15, R20, and R23 all show roughly 99% advantages. PassMark multithread shows a 98.9% delta. Data compression, encryption, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, physics, random string sorting, and extended instructions all favor the Core 7 251TE by margins ranging from 43.1% to 177.4%.

The Core i3-14100 wins in PassMark single-thread performance. Its score of 3759 versus 3568 gives it a 5.1% lead. This indicates that for workloads that depend primarily on a single thread's clock speed and instruction efficiency, the Core i3-14100 holds a measurable, though modest, edge. The Core i3-14100 also benefits from a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz compared to 1.40 GHz, which may translate to faster responsiveness in lightly threaded scenarios.

The Core 7 251TE's 24 cores and 32 threads make it suited for heavily parallel workloads: rendering, compilation, data processing, and other tasks that scale with thread count. Its 36 MB L3 cache provides substantially more shared capacity for data-intensive workloads. The Core i3-14100's 4 cores and 8 threads, combined with its higher base clock and single-thread advantage, suit it for tasks that do not scale beyond a few threads.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a processor pairing with an unusually clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core 7 251TE dominates 15 of 17 benchmark comparisons, with margins that frequently exceed 90% and sometimes surpass 150%. Its 24-core, 32-thread configuration, 5.40 GHz boost clock, and 36 MB L3 cache produce results that place it in the 88th percentile among all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score of 41650 places it within 0.6% of the Intel Core i7-14700T, its closest recorded rival.

The Intel Core i3-14100, with 4 cores, 8 threads, and a 4.70 GHz boost clock, records an average benchmark score of 18318, placing it in the 72nd percentile. Its nearest rivals, the Intel Core 3 305, Intel Core 5 330, Intel Core 7 360, and Intel Core i3-13100, all sit within 0.3% of its average score. The Core i3-14100's single recorded benchmark win, PassMark single-thread with a 5.1% margin, is genuine but isolated.

The choice between these two processors depends entirely on workload characteristics. For multithreaded applications, the Core 7 251TE is the clear selection: its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25518 is roughly double the Core i3-14100's 12820. For single-thread-sensitive tasks, the Core i3-14100 offers a small but consistent edge. The data does not indicate any scenario where the Core i3-14100 approaches the Core 7 251TE's multicore throughput. The Core 7 251TE's launch MSRP is $384, while the Core i3-14100's launch MSRP is $134.