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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a strikingly lopsided comparison. The Intel Core 7 251TE wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i3-14100F manages only 2 victories. The sheer scale of the Core 7 251TE's dominance is most visible in the multi-threaded workloads, where its 24 cores and 32 threads overwhelm the i3-14100F's 4 cores and 8 threads.

In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 7 251TE scores 25,518 against the i3-14100F's 13,084, a 95% advantage. The single-core results in Cinebench tell a similar story, with the Core 7 251TE scoring 3,602 versus 1,847 in R23 single-core, also a 95% delta. This consistency across the Cinebench suite (R15, R20, and R23) suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific.

The Passmark integer math test shows the largest proportional difference. The Core 7 251TE posts 125,739 against 45,357, a 177.2% advantage. Passmark floating point math shows a 142% gap (85,607 versus 35,370), while data encryption demonstrates a 148.6% delta (22,176 versus 8,922). Prime number finding, a heavily parallelized workload, shows a 129.5% difference (140 versus 61). Random string sorting completes the picture with a 125.3% delta (39,643 versus 17,596).

The i3-14100F's only wins come in the Passmark single-thread test, where it scores 3,778 against 3,568, a 5.6% advantage. This is the sole metric where the i3-14100F demonstrates superiority, and it is a narrow one. Notably, this single-thread win does not translate into Cinebench single-core victories, where the Core 7 251TE leads by roughly 95% in every version tested. The discrepancy between Passmark's single-thread measurement and Cinebench's single-core results indicates different workload characteristics, with Cinebench likely favoring the Core 7 251TE's higher 5.40 GHz boost clock, while Passmark's test may be more sensitive to the i3-14100F's architectural efficiency at lower thread counts.

The data compression test shows an 89.9% delta (334,399 versus 176,106), slightly less dramatic than the other Passmark tests but still a decisive victory. Extended instructions show the smallest multi-threaded gap at 41.6% (16,974 versus 11,984), suggesting this particular workload does not scale perfectly with the Core 7 251TE's additional cores. Physics simulation shows a 79.9% delta (1,938 versus 1,077), while multithread overall shows 94.7% (30,022 versus 15,420).

Where Each One Wins

The Core 7 251TE wins in every multi-threaded category recorded. This includes all Cinebench versions, all Passmark computational tests, and the Passmark multithread aggregate. The data indicates this processor is designed for heavy parallel workloads: rendering, scientific computation, data processing, and any task that can utilize more than 8 threads effectively.

The i3-14100F's two wins in the Passmark single-thread tests point to a specific strength: lightly threaded applications where clock frequency and per-core efficiency matter more than core count. Its 3.50 GHz base clock and 4.70 GHz boost clock, combined with its smaller 12 MB L3 cache, appear to deliver slightly better raw single-thread Passmark performance than the Core 7 251TE's 1.40 GHz base clock and 5.40 GHz boost clock. The Passmark single-thread score of 3,778 versus 3,568 represents a 5.6% edge, which could matter for legacy software, some games, or applications that are not optimized for multi-core execution.

However, this single-thread advantage does not appear in the Cinebench single-core tests, where the Core 7 251TE leads by approximately 95% across all versions. This contradiction suggests that Cinebench's single-core test benefits from the Core 7 251TE's higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while Passmark's single-thread test may be limited by other factors such as memory latency or instruction scheduling. The practical implication is that users running Passmark-style single-threaded workloads might see better responsiveness from the i3-14100F, while those running Cinebench-style workloads would prefer the Core 7 251TE.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this split. The Core 7 251TE has an average score of 41,650, placing it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs. The i3-14100F averages 18,519, in the 72nd percentile. The Core 7 251TE's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (0.1% ahead), Intel Core i7-14650HX (0.2% ahead), Intel Core i7-12850HX (0.3% behind), and Intel Core i7-14700T (0.6% behind). The i3-14100F's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-13420H (0% delta), AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE (0.1% ahead), Intel Core i3-13100 (0.8% ahead), and Intel Core 7 360 (0.8% ahead).

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same Intel Socket 1700, the same 10 nm process node, and the same Intel foundry. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, both support ECC memory, and both provide PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The core architecture differs fundamentally, however.

The Core 7 251TE is built on the Bartlett Lake codename, with 24 cores, 32 threads, and a 36 MB shared L3 cache. It has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, with a TDP of 45 watts. Its die size is 215 mm². It includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 770. Its memory bandwidth is rated at 89.6 GB/s. The release date recorded is 2025-01-12, and its part number is SRQAXQ5ZG.

The i3-14100F is built on the Raptor Lake-R codename, part of the Core 14th Gen series. It has 4 cores, 8 threads, and a 12 MB shared L3 cache. Its base clock is 3.50 GHz and its boost clock is 4.70 GHz, with a TDP of 58 watts. Its die size is 163 mm². It has no integrated graphics (N/A). Its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. The release date recorded is 2024-01-07, and its part number is SRMX2.

The L1 and L2 cache configurations are identical: 80 KB per core for L1 and 1.25 MB per core for L2. The L3 cache is where the difference emerges, with 36 MB shared on the Core 7 251TE versus 12 MB shared on the i3-14100F. This threefold difference in L3 cache likely contributes to the Core 7 251TE's performance in data-heavy workloads. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning overclocking is not supported. Both are marked as Active in production status and target the Desktop market segment.

The Core 7 251TE's lower base clock of 1.40 GHz combined with a 45 watt TDP suggests a power-efficient design that relies on boosting to reach high frequencies. The i3-14100F's 3.50 GHz base clock and 58 watt TDP indicate a more conventional design that runs at higher idle and low-load frequencies. The Core 7 251TE's higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz versus 4.70 GHz on the i3-14100F helps explain its dominance in Cinebench single-core tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i3-14100F has 4 cores and 8 threads. This accounts for the Core 7 251TE's large advantage in multi-threaded benchmarks.

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

A: Yes, the i3-14100F wins the Passmark single-thread and Passmark singlethread tests, both with a score of 3,778 versus the Core 7 251TE's 3,568, a 5.6% advantage. It does not win any Cinebench or other Passmark tests.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The Core 7 251TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-14100F has 12 MB. The L1 cache is 80 KB per core and L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core for both processors.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Core 7 251TE and the i3-14100F support ECC memory. Both also support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core 7 251TE includes UHD Graphics 770, while the i3-14100F has no integrated graphics (N/A). This means the i3-14100F requires a discrete graphics card for display output.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores and percentiles?

A: The Core 7 251TE has an average benchmark score of 41,650 and is in the 88th percentile of all CPUs. The i3-14100F has an average score of 18,519 and is in the 72nd percentile.

Specification Differences

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

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

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-R |

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

| 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 | 58 W |

| 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 | N/A |

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

| Launch MSRP | $384 | $109 |

| Part Number | SRQAXQ5ZG | SRMX2 |

The Core 7 251TE's 5.40 GHz boost clock is 0.70 GHz higher than the i3-14100F's 4.70 GHz. The i3-14100F's base clock of 3.50 GHz is substantially higher than the Core 7 251TE's 1.40 GHz. The Core 7 251TE has a larger die size at 215 mm² versus 163 mm². The i3-14100F has a higher TDP at 58 watts versus 45 watts.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the Intel Core 7 251TE is the superior processor for virtually all measured workloads. Its 15 wins out of 17 head-to-head tests, combined with its 88th percentile ranking versus the i3-14100F's 72nd percentile, make the case clear. The Core 7 251TE's 24 cores, 32 threads, and 36 MB L3 cache deliver performance that is roughly 95% higher in Cinebench tests and between 41.6% and 177.2% higher in Passmark tests.

The i3-14100F's only advantage appears in the Passmark single-thread test, where it leads by 5.6%. This narrow win suggests that for applications that are strictly single-threaded and not cache-sensitive, the i3-14100F may offer slightly better performance. However, this advantage does not extend to Cinebench single-core tests, where the Core 7 251TE leads by approximately 95%. Users who run Passmark-style single-threaded benchmarks may notice the difference, but those running Cinebench or multi-threaded workloads will see overwhelming advantages from the Core 7 251TE.

The i3-14100F's lack of integrated graphics is a notable limitation, as it requires a separate graphics card for any display output. The Core 7 251TE's UHD Graphics 770 provides a fallback option. The i3-14100F's lower power requirement in terms of TDP (45 watts versus 58 watts) is a minor advantage, though the Core 7 251TE's higher boost clock partially offsets this by delivering faster single-thread performance when needed.

For users running multi-threaded workloads such as rendering, video encoding, scientific simulation, or data processing, the Core 7 251TE is clearly the correct choice. Its 95% advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore and 177.2% advantage in integer math demonstrate that it scales effectively with additional cores. For users running exclusively single-threaded Passmark-style workloads, the i3-14100F's 5.6% edge may be relevant, but this is a narrow use case. The recorded data shows no benchmark category where the i3-14100F comes close to matching the Core 7 251TE's multi-threaded performance, and the 15-to-2 win count reflects this reality.