Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core i7-14700 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits these two Intel desktop processors into very different roles. The Intel Core 7 251TE wins only 2 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i7-14700 wins 15. The average benchmark score tells the same story: the Core i7-14700 sits at 52301, which places it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 7 251TE averages 41650 and lands in the 88th percentile. That 10651-point gap in average score is substantial.

The Core i7-14700 is the processor for sustained multi-threaded workloads. Its 65 W TDP and Raptor Lake architecture deliver consistently higher scores across Cinebench multi-core tests, PassMark compute workloads, and memory-intensive tasks. The data shows a clear winner for rendering, compression, encryption, and general productivity.

The Core 7 251TE has one major advantage: single-core Cinebench performance. It wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 21.1% and Cinebench R23 single-core by a massive 73.2%. Its 5.40 GHz boost clock matches the Core i7-14700, but the Bartlett Lake design appears to extract more performance in those specific single-threaded rendering tests. Users prioritizing Cinebench R23 single-core scores would select the Core 7 251TE.

For everything else, the Core i7-14700 is the stronger choice. The data indicates it outperforms the Core 7 251TE in multi-core rendering by 10.1% to 36.7% depending on the Cinebench version, and it leads by 14.6% to 40.2% across PassMark workloads. The Core i7-14700 also carries a higher 91st percentile ranking against all CPUs, compared to 88th for the Core 7 251TE.

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 through a dual-channel memory bus, and both include UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics. The similarities end there.

The Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is classified under the Core 7 generation. It packs 24 cores and 32 threads, which is 4 more cores and 4 more threads than the Core i7-14700. Its base clock runs at 1.40 GHz, considerably lower than the Core i7-14700's 2.10 GHz, though both boost to 5.40 GHz. The Core 7 251TE carries 36 MB of shared L3 cache, 3 MB more than the Core i7-14700's 33 MB. Its L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core, while the Core i7-14700 has 2 MB per core. Both use 80 KB of L1 cache per core.

The Core i7-14700 belongs to the Core 14th Gen series with the Raptor Lake architecture and the Raptor Lake-R codename. It has 20 cores and 28 threads. Its die size is 257 mm², larger than the Core 7 251TE's 215 mm². The Core i7-14700 has a 65 W TDP, while the Core 7 251TE draws 45 W.

Memory bandwidth differs as well. The Core 7 251TE lists 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Core i7-14700 does not have a recorded memory bandwidth figure. Both processors support ECC memory and both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The release dates place the Core i7-14700 first, arriving on January 7, 2024. The Core 7 251TE followed on January 12, 2025. Both carry the same launch MSRP of $384, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 7 251TE wins exclusively in Cinebench single-core tests. Its Cinebench R15 single-core score of 362 beats the Core i7-14700's 299 by 21.1%. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3602 crushes the Core i7-14700's 2080 by 73.2%. These are the only two victories in the entire head-to-head dataset.

The Core i7-14700 dominates everywhere else. In multi-core Cinebench tests, it leads by 36.7% in R15, 25.5% in R20, and 10.1% in R23. Interestingly, the Core i7-14700 also wins the Cinebench R20 single-core test with a score of 2031 against 1512, a 25.6% advantage. That result contradicts the R15 and R23 single-core picture, suggesting the two processors respond differently to specific benchmark versions.

PassMark tests show uniform Core i7-14700 superiority. The largest margin comes in extended instructions, where the Core i7-14700 scores 28388 versus 16974, a 40.2% lead. Data compression shows a 32.9% advantage (498198 versus 334399). Random string sorting favors the Core i7-14700 by 27% (54340 versus 39643). Data encryption, multithread, and Cinebench R20 multi-core all show 25.1% to 25.5% leads. Floating point math, integer math, physics, and find prime numbers all favor the Core i7-14700 by margins between 12.9% and 19.8%.

The single-thread PassMark scores also go to the Core i7-14700, which records 4236 against 3568, a 15.8% advantage. This is notable because the Core 7 251TE wins single-core tests in some Cinebench versions but loses the PassMark single-thread test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core i7-14700 has 20 cores and 28 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700 averages 52301, while the Intel Core 7 251TE averages 41650. The Core i7-14700 also ranks in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 88th percentile for the Core 7 251TE.

Q: Where does the Core 7 251TE beat the Core i7-14700?

A: The Core 7 251TE wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 21.1% and Cinebench R23 single-core by 73.2%. These are its only two wins across the 17 head-to-head benchmarks.

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

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core 7 251TE scores 3602 against the Core i7-14700's 2080, a 73.2% difference. The largest Core i7-14700 win is 40.2% in PassMark extended instructions.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket and memory support?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1700 and support DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus. Both also support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Core 7 251TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i7-14700 has 33 MB. The Core i7-14700 has the larger L2 cache at 2 MB per core versus 1.25 MB per core.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a lopsided matchup. The Core i7-14700 wins 15 of 17 tests, and the Core 7 251TE takes only 2.

Starting with Cinebench multi-core, the Core i7-14700 delivers 4061 in R15 against 2572 for the Core 7 251TE, a 36.7% margin. In R20, the scores are 14388 versus 10717, a 25.5% lead. The R23 multi-core test narrows the gap to 10.1%, with the Core i7-14700 scoring 28398 and the Core 7 251TE scoring 25518.

Single-core Cinebench results are mixed. The Core 7 251TE wins R15 with 362 against 299, a 21.1% margin. It also wins R23 with 3602 against 2080, a remarkable 73.2% gap. But in R20 single-core, the Core i7-14700 reverses the trend, scoring 2031 against 1512, a 25.6% win.

PassMark tests consistently favor the Core i7-14700. Data compression shows the largest absolute difference: 498198 versus 334399, a 32.9% lead. Data encryption delivers 29601 versus 22176, a 25.1% margin. Extended instructions show 28388 versus 16974, a 40.2% advantage. Find prime numbers scores 164 versus 140, a 14.6% lead. Floating point math comes in at 106716 versus 85607, a 19.8% gap. Integer math records 154535 versus 125739, an 18.6% difference. Multithread tests show 40318 versus 30022, a 25.5% lead. Physics scores 2226 versus 1938, a 12.9% margin. Random string sorting delivers 54340 versus 39643, a 27% advantage. The single-thread PassMark score goes to the Core i7-14700 at 4236 versus 3568, a 15.8% gap.

The Cinebench R23 single-core result deserves attention. A 73.2% advantage is the largest swing in either direction across the entire dataset. This suggests the Core 7 251TE's architecture handles that specific workload exceptionally well, even though it loses the PassMark single-thread test by 15.8%. The two processors clearly optimize for different single-threaded scenarios.

Specification Differences

The Core 7 251TE and Core i7-14700 differ in several key specifications. The Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Core i7-14700 has 20 cores and 28 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: 1.40 GHz for the Core 7 251TE versus 2.10 GHz for the Core i7-14700. Both share a 5.40 GHz boost clock.

TDP ratings separate the two clearly. The Core 7 251TE draws 45 W, while the Core i7-14700 draws 65 W. This makes the Core 7 251TE the lower-power option despite having more cores.

Cache configurations differ. The Core 7 251TE has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 36 MB of shared L3. The Core i7-14700 has 2 MB of L2 per core and 33 MB of shared L3. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core.

Die size favors the Core 7 251TE at 215 mm², while the Core i7-14700 measures 257 mm². Both are built on the 10 nm process at Intel's foundry.

Memory bandwidth is recorded only for the Core 7 251TE at 89.6 GB/s. The Core i7-14700 has no listed memory bandwidth figure. Both support dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5, and both support ECC memory.

PCIe specifications match: Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both include UHD Graphics 770. Both use Intel Socket 1700 and target the desktop market segment.

The Core 7 251TE carries part number SRQAXQ5ZG, while the Core i7-14700 uses part number SRN40. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Both launched at the same MSRP of $384, with the Core i7-14700 releasing on January 7, 2024, and the Core 7 251TE releasing on January 12, 2025. Both remain in active production.