Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core i9-14900 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between the Intel Core 7 251TE and the Intel Core i9-14900. The i9-14900 dominates the multicore and most single-core metrics, while the 251TE secures a decisive victory in two specific legacy single-core tests.

The most substantial win for the i9-14900 comes in Cinebench R15 multicore, where it scores 4793 against 2572 for the 251TE, a 46.3% advantage. This pattern continues across the Cinebench suite: in R20 multicore, the i9-14900 leads 15910 to 10717, a 32.6% margin, and in R23 multicore it scores 31070 versus 25518, a 17.9% lead. The PassMark suite reinforces this trend. Data compression shows the i9-14900 at 550271 against 334399, a 39.2% gap. Extended instructions favor the i9-14900 by 44.6% (30624 vs 16974). Random string sorting shows a 35.1% difference (61060 vs 39643), and data encryption shows a 33.9% margin (33540 vs 22176).

The 251TE claims the Cinebench R15 single-core test, winning 362 to 315, a 14.9% advantage. Its other win is Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 3602 against 2212, a remarkable 62.8% lead. This is the largest delta in either direction across all recorded tests. The i9-14900 counters in PassMark single-thread testing, scoring 4323 versus 3568, a 17.5% margin.

The remaining PassMark workloads all favor the i9-14900 by margins between 22% and 28.8%. Floating-point math shows 120262 against 85607, a 28.8% lead. Integer math shows 175010 versus 125739, a 28.2% gap. Physics shows 2486 versus 1938, a 22% difference. Find prime numbers shows 188 against 140, a 25.5% margin. PassMark multithread scores 44578 for the i9-14900 and 30022 for the 251TE, a 32.7% gap.

The average benchmark score places the i9-14900 at 58115 with a 92nd percentile ranking across all CPUs. The 251TE averages 41650 and sits at the 88th percentile. The i9-14900's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M at 58323 (0.4% higher), the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D at 58386 (0.5% higher), and the Intel Xeon w5-2545 at 58504 (0.7% higher). The 251TE sits within 0.6% of the Intel Core i7-14700T, 0.3% of the Intel Core i7-12850HX, 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-14650HX, and 0.1% of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share fundamental platform traits. Each uses 24 cores and 32 threads, and both fit the Intel Socket 1700. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and both include ECC memory support. PCIe connectivity is identical: Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are the same UHD Graphics 770 on both parts.

The 251TE comes from the Bartlett Lake codename and the Core 7 generation, while the i9-14900 belongs to Raptor Lake-R under the Core 14th Gen series. The 251TE's die measures 215 mm², notably smaller than the i9-14900's 257 mm² die. Both are fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel.

Clock behavior differs significantly. The 251TE lists a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The i9-14900 starts at 2.00 GHz base and boosts to 5.80 GHz. The i9-14900's higher base clock helps explain its consistent advantage in throughput-heavy workloads. The 251TE's TDP is 45 watts, while the i9-14900 is rated at 65 watts. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Cache layouts diverge in L2 capacity. Both chips provide 80 KB of L1 per core and 36 MB of shared L3. The L2 differs: the 251TE provides 1.25 MB per core, while the i9-14900 doubles that to 2 MB per core. This additional L2 capacity on the i9-14900 likely contributes to its lead in cache-sensitive workloads like data compression and random string sorting.

The 251TE records a memory bandwidth figure of 89.6 GB/s. The i9-14900 does not have a recorded bandwidth value in the database. Release timing also differs: the i9-14900 launched on 2024-01-07, roughly a year before the 251TE's 2025-01-12 release. The launch MSRP for the 251TE was $384, while the i9-14900 launched at $549.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-14900 is the clear choice for multicore rendering and compute-heavy tasks. Cinebench R15 multicore shows a 46.3% lead, the largest gap in the entire comparison. The R20 multicore margin of 32.6% and R23 multicore margin of 17.9% confirm that the i9-14900 scales better across all three Cinebench versions. PassMark multithread follows this pattern with a 32.7% advantage.

Content creation and data processing workloads favor the i9-14900. Data compression shows a 39.2% advantage, extended instructions a 44.6% lead, and random string sorting a 35.1% margin. These results indicate the i9-14900 handles parallel data transformations with considerably more headroom. Encryption workloads show a 33.9% gap, and both floating-point and integer math favor the i9-14900 by roughly 28%.

The 251TE wins in specific legacy single-core scenarios. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3602 is 62.8% higher than the i9-14900's 2212, and its R15 single-core score of 362 beats 315 by 14.9%. These wins suggest the 251TE delivers strong per-thread performance in older Cinebench workloads. However, the i9-14900 reclaims the single-thread crown in PassMark, scoring 4323 against 3568. The data shows no PassMark workload where the 251TE leads.

Power-conscious deployments may favor the 251TE, as its 45 watt TDP is substantially lower than the i9-14900's 65 watt rating. The smaller 215 mm² die on the 251TE, combined with its lower base clock of 1.40 GHz, indicates a more power-efficient design. The i9-14900 compensates with higher clocks and double the L2 cache per core.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 averages 58115 across all recorded benchmarks, placing it at the 92nd percentile. The Intel Core 7 251TE averages 41650, at the 88th percentile.

Q: How large is the multicore performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The i9-14900 scores 31070 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 17.9% higher than the 251TE's 25518.

Q: Does the Intel Core 7 251TE win any benchmarks?

A: Yes. The 251TE wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 362 versus 315 (14.9% higher) and Cinebench R23 single-core with 3602 versus 2212 (62.8% higher).

Q: How do the cache configurations compare?

A: Both processors share 80 KB of L1 per core and 36 MB of shared L3. The L2 differs: the 251TE has 1.25 MB per core, while the i9-14900 has 2 MB per core.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The 251TE is rated at 45 watts, while the i9-14900 is rated at 65 watts.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory and PCIe features?

A: Yes. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, both support ECC memory, and both provide Gen 5 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes.

The Verdict

The recorded data assigns 15 benchmark wins to the Intel Core i9-14900 and 2 to the Intel Core 7 251TE. The i9-14900 leads in every PassMark workload and in Cinebench R15 multicore, R20 multicore, R20 single-core, and R23 multicore. Its multicore margins range from 17.9% to 46.3%, and its PassMark single-thread score is 17.5% higher.

The 251TE demonstrates that its Bartlett Lake architecture delivers exceptional legacy single-core performance. Its 62.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is the single largest delta in the comparison. The 45 watt TDP also positions it as the lower-power option, and its launch MSRP of $384 is below the i9-14900's $549 launch MSRP.

The i9-14900 is the stronger processor for multicore rendering, data compression, encryption, and math-heavy workloads. Its 92nd percentile ranking and average score of 58115 place it in a higher performance class entirely. The 251TE, at the 88th percentile with an average of 41650, sits closer to the Intel Core i7-14700T, which trails by just 0.6%. For users whose workloads align with Cinebench R23 single-core or R15 single-core, the 251TE offers a specific advantage. For everything else in the recorded benchmarks, the i9-14900 delivers higher scores across the board.