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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a clear split between single-core and multi-core workloads. The Intel Core 7 251TE wins only 3 of the 17 shared tests, but two of those wins are substantial. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 251TE scores 3602 against the i7-14700HX's 2103, a 71.3% advantage. That is the largest margin in either direction across the entire comparison. The 251TE also leads in Cinebench R15 single-core, 362 versus 296, a 22.3% edge, and edges out the i7-14700HX in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 25518 versus 24595, a 3.8% lead.

The Intel Core i7-14700HX dominates the remaining 14 tests. Its biggest win comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 3812 against the 251TE's 2572, a 32.5% margin. PassMark extended instructions shows a 34% gap in its favor, 25718 versus 16974. Data compression also favors the i7-14700HX heavily, 438539 versus 334399, a 23.7% difference. Encryption, random string sorting, and multithread scores all sit between 15% and 18.3% ahead. The narrower wins include floating point math at 8.8%, integer math at 4.2%, and single-thread PassMark at 9.6%.

The overall averages reflect this imbalance. The i7-14700HX records an average benchmark score of 45953, while the 251TE sits at 41650. That places the i7-14700HX at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, one point above the 251TE's 88th percentile. The nearest rivals for the 251TE include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (41621, 0.1% behind) and the Intel Core i7-14650HX (41576, 0.2% behind). The i7-14700HX's nearest rivals are the AMD EPYC 7303 and AMD EPYC 4364P, both essentially tied at 0.0% delta, along with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and Intel Core Ultra 5 235 at 0.2% behind.

The pattern suggests the 251TE's single-core performance is exceptional, but its multi-core output is inconsistent across different Cinebench versions. It wins R23 multi-core yet loses R15 and R20 multi-core by 32.5% and 17.9% respectively. That inconsistency likely stems from how each workload scales with the core configuration and memory subsystem.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design lineages. The Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². The Core i7-14700HX belongs to the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh family, also on 10 nm but with a larger 257 mm² die. Both are manufactured by Intel.

Core counts differ significantly. The 251TE packs 24 cores and 32 threads, while the i7-14700HX has 20 cores and 28 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the i7-14700HX carries a higher base clock of 2.10 GHz versus 1.40 GHz for the 251TE. Boost clocks are closer: 5.50 GHz for the i7-14700HX and 5.40 GHz for the 251TE. The thermal design power also favors the i7-14700HX at 55 watts, against 45 watts for the 251TE.

Cache layouts differentiate the two as well. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core and share 36 MB of L3 on the 251TE versus 33 MB on the i7-14700HX. The L2 cache differs per core: 1.25 MB for the 251TE and 2 MB for the i7-14700HX. That means the i7-14700HX has a larger per-core L2, which can help with latency-sensitive workloads, while the 251TE has more total L3.

Memory support is identical in type, both accepting DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. The 251TE lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i7-14700HX has no recorded bandwidth figure. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity matches at Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are the same UHD Graphics 770 on both.

The market segments differ: the 251TE is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700, while the i7-14700HX is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1964. The 251TE has a locked multiplier, whereas the i7-14700HX is multiplier-unlocked. Release dates are about a year apart, with the 251TE arriving 2025-01-12 and the i7-14700HX on 2024-01-07.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates these processors serve different priorities. The Core 7 251TE delivers outstanding single-core performance, beating the i7-14700HX by 71.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core and 22.3% in R15 single-core. That makes it the stronger choice for lightly threaded tasks where per-core speed dominates. Its multi-core showing in R23, where it leads by 3.8%, adds credibility for mixed workloads, though the R15 and R20 multi-core losses temper that conclusion.

The Core i7-14700HX wins the majority of tests, including all PassMark workloads except single-thread variants where it still leads by 9.6%. Its multi-core advantages range from 4.2% in integer math to 34% in extended instructions. The 15% to 32.5% margins in compression, encryption, multithread, and random string sorting indicate strong sustained throughput for heavily parallel tasks. The higher base clock and larger L2 per core likely contribute to these results.

The average scores confirm the i7-14700HX as the overall faster processor, 45953 versus 41650, a difference of about 10.3%. The percentile gap is small, 89th versus 88th, meaning both sit near the top of the database. The 251TE's nearest rivals cluster within 0.6% of its average, while the i7-14700HX sits in a tight group around 45960 to 46062. The choice depends on whether single-core responsiveness or multi-core throughput matters more for the target use case.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 251TE | Intel Core i7-14700HX |

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

| Cores | 24 | 20 |

| Threads | 32 | 28 |

| Base clock | 1.40 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-HX |

| Generation | Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) | Core i7 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 10 nm |

| Die size | 215 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L2 cache per core | 1.25 MB | 2 MB |

| L3 cache | 36 MB shared | 33 MB shared |

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

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Launch MSRP | $384 | Not recorded |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SRQAXQ5ZG | SRMXG |

The i7-14700HX has a higher base clock by 0.70 GHz and a slightly higher boost clock by 0.10 GHz. The 251TE counters with 4 additional cores and 4 additional threads, plus 3 MB more L3 cache. Both use the same 10 nm process from Intel and the same UHD Graphics 770 integrated solution.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

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

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The 251TE leads in Cinebench R23 single-core by 71.3% (3602 versus 2103) and in R15 single-core by 22.3% (362 versus 296), but the i7-14700HX wins PassMark single-thread by 9.6% (3947 versus 3568).

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The i7-14700HX averages 45953 across all recorded tests, while the 251TE averages 41650. The i7-14700HX sits at the 89th percentile, one point higher than the 251TE's 88th percentile.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the 251TE and the i7-14700HX support ECC memory, and both run DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode.

Q: Are the integrated graphics the same?

A: Both processors use Intel UHD Graphics 770 as their integrated GPU.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

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

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 251TE wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core, R15 single-core, and R23 single-core. Its 71.3% single-core lead in R23 is the standout result, indicating strong per-thread performance that benefits applications with low thread counts and high clock sensitivity. The 3.8% R23 multi-core win, despite losing R15 and R20 multi-core, suggests the 251TE performs best under the newer Cinebench scaling model. The 45 W TDP makes it the lower-power option while still delivering competitive results in select workloads.

The Intel Core i7-14700HX wins everything else, including all PassMark tests. Its most decisive victories come in extended instructions (34%), Cinebench R15 multi-core (32.5%), and data compression (23.7%). The 15% encryption lead, 18.3% random string sorting lead, and 17.9% multithread lead indicate broad superiority in parallel data processing. The 55 W TDP and higher base clock of 2.10 GHz likely support this sustained throughput. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for users who can adjust clocks in supported systems.

For workloads centered on compression, encryption, sorting, physics (13.9% lead), and extended instruction sets, the i7-14700HX is the clear choice. For applications that depend on single-thread latency, the 251TE's 22.3% to 71.3% margins make it the better fit. The overall average score favors the i7-14700HX, but the 251TE's targeted single-core dominance cannot be ignored in scenarios where that metric is the primary constraint.