Intel Core 7 253PQE vs Intel Core i3-14100 Comparison

The Intel Core 7 253PQE and the Intel Core i3-14100 are both desktop processors built for the Intel Socket 1700 platform, yet the recorded data places them in entirely different performance categories. The Core 7 253PQE wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons in the database, with a 91st percentile ranking among all CPUs compared to the i3-14100’s 72nd percentile. The average benchmark score for the Core 7 253PQE is 55919, while the i3-14100 averages 18318. This is a decisive margin, driven by differences in core count, thread count, and cache allocation, rather than any single architectural breakthrough.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the benchmark data is the multi-core performance gap. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 7 253PQE scores 31390 against 12820 for the i3-14100, a 144.9% advantage. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Core 7 253PQE scores 13183 versus 5384, a 144.9% difference, and in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the scores are 3163 and 1292, a 144.8% margin. These results confirm that the Core 7 253PQE delivers roughly 2.4 times the multi-threaded rendering throughput of the i3-14100 across all three Cinebench generations.

Single-core results tell a more nuanced story. The Core 7 253PQE still wins every single-core test, but the margins are smaller in the Passmark suite. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 7 253PQE scores 4431 against 1809, a 144.9% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the scores are 1861 and 759, a 145.2% difference. However, in Passmark single-thread, the Core 7 253PQE scores 4389 versus 3759, a much narrower 16.8% advantage. This indicates that the i3-14100’s per-core efficiency is competitive, but the Core 7 253PQE’s higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz compared to 4.70 GHz provides the edge.

The Passmark integer and floating-point math tests show the largest deltas. The Core 7 253PQE scores 137795 in integer math, a 204% lead over the i3-14100’s 45329. In floating-point math, the Core 7 253PQE scores 105279 against 35266, a 198.5% margin. These are the biggest percentage wins in the dataset, and they reflect the Core 7 253PQE’s 10 cores and 20 threads versus the i3-14100’s 4 cores and 8 threads. The prime number finding test amplifies the gap further, with the Core 7 253PQE scoring 206 and the i3-14100 scoring 55, a 274.5% difference.

Data compression and encryption workloads also favor the Core 7 253PQE heavily. Passmark data compression shows 487335 for the Core 7 253PQE and 174115 for the i3-14100, a 179.9% lead. Passmark data encryption shows 25515 versus 8838, a 188.7% difference. Extended instructions, random string sorting, and physics tests all follow the same trend, with the Core 7 253PQE leading by margins between 173% and 211.7%. The only test where the i3-14100 comes close is Passmark single-thread, where the 16.8% gap suggests that single-threaded applications will see a smaller, though still measurable, improvement with the Core 7 253PQE.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE has an average benchmark score of 55919, while the Intel Core i3-14100 has an average benchmark score of 18318. The Core 7 253PQE also ranks in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, compared to the i3-14100’s 72nd percentile.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 7 253PQE scores 31390 versus 12820 for the i3-14100, a 144.9% advantage. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows 13183 versus 5384, also a 144.9% margin, and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 3163 versus 1292, a 144.8% difference.

Q: Is the single-threaded performance gap smaller than the multi-threaded gap?

A: Yes. In Passmark single-thread, the Core 7 253PQE scores 4389 and the i3-14100 scores 3759, a 16.8% difference. This is much smaller than the multi-threaded margins, which range from 144.8% to 211.7% depending on the test.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE has 10 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. This difference is the primary driver of the multi-threaded benchmark results.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE has 33 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i3-14100 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The L2 cache also differs, with the Core 7 253PQE offering 2 MB per core and the i3-14100 offering 1.25 MB per core.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Core 7 253PQE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i3-14100 has no memory bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same 10 nm process node, built by Intel, and both use the Intel Socket 1700. The Core 7 253PQE is based on the Bartlett Lake codename, while the i3-14100 uses the Raptor Lake-R codename with a Raptor Lake architecture. This architectural split explains some of the performance divergence. Bartlett Lake appears designed to deliver a higher core count within the same socket, while Raptor Lake-R is a refresh of the older Raptor Lake design.

The L3 cache allocation is a major differentiator. The Core 7 253PQE offers 33 MB of shared L3 cache, nearly three times the i3-14100’s 12 MB. The per-core L2 cache also favors the Core 7 253PQE, with 2 MB per core compared to 1.25 MB per core for the i3-14100. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, so the difference lies in the larger shared and second-level caches on the Core 7 253PQE. Larger caches reduce memory latency and improve performance in workloads that reuse data, which aligns with the Core 7 253PQE’s strong results in data compression and encryption tests.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 7 253PQE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the i3-14100 uses UHD Graphics 730. Both are integrated solutions, but the 770 model is a higher tier. The Core 7 253PQE also has a higher boost clock at 5.70 GHz versus 4.70 GHz for the i3-14100, while the base clock is identical at 3.50 GHz for both. The higher boost clock contributes to the single-threaded performance advantage, though the 16.8% Passmark single-thread gap suggests that clock speed alone does not explain the full difference.

The production status for both is Active, and both are desktop market segment parts. The Core 7 253PQE was released in March 2026, while the i3-14100 was released in January 2024. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a differentiating factor. Both support ECC memory and use Gen 5 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most direct specification difference. The Core 7 253PQE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. This is a 2.5x core count advantage and a 2.5x thread count advantage for the Core 7 253PQE.

The boost clock differs, with the Core 7 253PQE reaching 5.70 GHz and the i3-14100 reaching 4.70 GHz. The base clock is the same at 3.50 GHz. The thermal design power also differs, with the Core 7 253PQE rated at 125 watts and the i3-14100 rated at 60 watts. This higher power envelope allows the Core 7 253PQE to sustain higher clocks across more cores.

Cache specifications differ in both L2 and L3. The Core 7 253PQE has 2 MB of L2 per core and 33 MB of shared L3, while the i3-14100 has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core.

The integrated graphics differ, with the Core 7 253PQE using UHD Graphics 770 and the i3-14100 using UHD Graphics 730. The memory bandwidth is only recorded for the Core 7 253PQE, at 89.6 GB/s. The launch MSRP for the Core 7 253PQE is $409, and the launch MSRP for the i3-14100 is $134. The die size is only recorded for the i3-14100, at 163 mm².

The release dates differ, with the Core 7 253PQE released in 2026 and the i3-14100 released in 2024. The part numbers also differ, with the Core 7 253PQE carrying part number SA4QA and the i3-14100 carrying SRMX1. The codenames differ, with Bartlett Lake for the Core 7 253PQE and Raptor Lake-R for the i3-14100.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core 7 253PQE wins every head-to-head test in the database, with margins ranging from 16.8% in Passmark single-thread to 274.5% in Passmark find prime numbers. The average benchmark score of 55919 for the Core 7 253PQE is more than three times the i3-14100’s 18318. The percentile ranking of 91 versus 72 confirms that the Core 7 253PQE sits in a higher performance tier entirely.

The i3-14100 is not without merit. Its 60 watt TDP makes it a lower-power option, and its 16.8% single-thread deficit is modest compared to the multi-threaded deltas. For users who prioritize power efficiency and do not need heavy multi-threaded performance, the i3-14100 remains a functional choice. However, the data shows that the Core 7 253PQE delivers superior results in every recorded workload, from Cinebench rendering to Passmark math and data processing tests.

The Core 7 253PQE’s nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i9-14900HX with an average score of 56004, a 0.2% difference, and the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 with 56273, a 0.6% difference. This places the Core 7 253PQE in the same performance neighborhood as high-end mobile and workstation parts. The i3-14100’s nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core 3 305 with 18302, are much closer to its own score, confirming that the i3-14100 sits near the entry-level desktop segment.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 7 253PQE wins in every benchmark category recorded, but the size of the win varies by workload type. Multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads show the largest advantages. Passmark integer math shows a 204% lead, floating-point math shows a 198.5% lead, and physics shows a 210% lead. Data compression and encryption also favor the Core 7 253PQE by 179.9% and 188.7%, respectively. These workloads benefit directly from the 10 core, 20 thread configuration and the larger 33 MB L3 cache.

The i3-14100 is closest in single-threaded workloads. In Passmark single-thread, the Core 7 253PQE leads by only 16.8%. This suggests that applications limited to a single core will see a smaller performance difference, though the Core 7 253PQE still comes out ahead. The Cinebench single-core tests show larger gaps of around 145%, which may reflect differences in how the tests scale with cache and clock speed.

For workloads that involve prime number calculations, the Core 7 253PQE’s 274.5% lead is the largest in the dataset. Random string sorting shows a 211.7% advantage, and extended instructions show a 173% advantage. The Core 7 253PQE also leads in Passmark multithread by 176%, confirming that any parallel workload will see a substantial improvement.

The i3-14100’s lower 60 watt TDP means it draws less power under load, and its smaller die size of 163 mm² suggests a more compact design. The i3-14100 also has a lower launch MSRP of $134 compared to $409 for the Core 7 253PQE. Users who need only light desktop tasks, basic office work, or entry-level gaming may find the i3-14100 sufficient, but the recorded benchmarks show no workload where it outperforms the Core 7 253PQE. The choice depends on whether the user needs the multi-threaded performance headroom that the Core 7 253PQE provides or can operate within the i3-14100’s lower performance envelope.