Intel Core i3-14100 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i3-14100 and Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus occupy entirely different performance tiers. The database records 17 benchmark wins for the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and zero for the Core i3-14100 across all head-to-head tests. The average benchmark score tells the same story: the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 93,785 versus 18,318 for the Core i3-14100, a difference that places the former in the 96th percentile of all CPUs while the latter sits in the 72nd percentile.

The Core i3-14100 is the choice for systems where the workload is modest and the platform requirements are lower. It uses the Intel Socket 1700, supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, and has a 60 TDP. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus requires the newer Intel Socket 1851, supports only DDR5, and carries a 125 TDP. The data shows the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is overwhelmingly faster in every measured test, but the Core i3-14100 remains a functional desktop part with active production status.

The launch MSRP for the Core i3-14100 is $134. The launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is $299.

Architecture Differences

The Core i3-14100 is built on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, and uses Intel's 10 nm process node with Intel as the foundry. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The die size is 163 mm². Cache allocation consists of 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration with ECC support. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730. The multiplier is locked, meaning no overclocking through the CPU ratio.

The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is built on Arrow Lake Refresh, part of the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. It uses a 3 nm process node from TSMC, with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors. It has 24 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. Cache allocation is substantially larger: 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is DDR5 only in a dual-channel configuration, with a measured memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. ECC memory is supported. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking.

The architectural gap is clear. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 6 times the core count, 3 times the L3 cache, a smaller process node, and a higher boost clock. The Core i3-14100 uses a larger process node, smaller cache, and fewer cores. The foundry also differs: Intel for the Core i3-14100, TSMC for the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins every benchmark in the database. The largest margins appear in multi-threaded and math-intensive workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 6,656 against 1,292, a delta of 80.6%. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 24,461 versus 5,384, a 78% delta. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 44,253 versus 12,820, a 71% delta. PassMark integer math delivers 175,986 versus 45,329, a 74.2% delta. Floating point math shows 229,491 versus 35,266, an 84.6% delta.

The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus also dominates in data compression and encryption. PassMark data compression scores 804,322 versus 174,115, a 78.4% delta. Data encryption scores 59,097 versus 8,838, an 85% delta. Extended instructions score 63,506 versus 11,865, an 81.3% delta. Random string sorting scores 96,945 versus 17,397, an 82.1% delta. Prime number finding scores 615 versus 55, a 91.1% delta, the largest single gap in the dataset.

Single-threaded performance is closer but still favors the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus. Cinebench R23 single-core scores 2,439 versus 1,809, a 25.8% delta. PassMark single-thread scores 5,068 versus 3,759, also a 25.8% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 354 versus 182, a 48.6% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 3,453 versus 759, a 78% delta.

The Core i3-14100 has no benchmark wins. Its advantages are platform-level rather than performance-level: it supports DDR4, has a lower TDP of 60, and uses the older Socket 1700. Those factors do not appear in benchmark scores, but they define which systems can use it.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the performance gap in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus leads by 80.6% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 78% in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 71% in Cinebench R23 multi-core. PassMark multithread shows a 78% delta.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-14100 and the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus support ECC memory.

Q: Are both CPUs currently in production?

A: Yes, the production status for both is listed as Active.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Intel Core i3-14100 has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The Core i3-14100 has no memory bandwidth figure in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 615 against 55, a delta of 91.1%. That means the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is roughly 11 times faster in that specific test. The smallest win is in single-threaded tests, where both Cinebench R23 single-core and PassMark single-thread show a 25.8% delta.

Cinebench R15 multi-core: the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 6,656, the Core i3-14100 scores 1,292. The delta is 80.6%. Cinebench R15 single-core: 354 versus 182, a 48.6% delta. Cinebench R20 multi-core: 24,461 versus 5,384, a 78% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core: 3,453 versus 759, a 78% delta. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 44,253 versus 12,820, a 71% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core: 2,439 versus 1,809, a 25.8% delta.

PassMark data compression: 804,322 versus 174,115, a 78.4% delta. PassMark data encryption: 59,097 versus 8,838, an 85% delta. PassMark extended instructions: 63,506 versus 11,865, an 81.3% delta. PassMark floating point math: 229,491 versus 35,266, an 84.6% delta. PassMark integer math: 175,986 versus 45,329, a 74.2% delta. PassMark multithread: 68,574 versus 15,095, a 78% delta. PassMark physics: 4,064 versus 958, a 76.4% delta. PassMark random string sorting: 96,945 versus 17,397, an 82.1% delta. PassMark single-thread: 5,068 versus 3,759, a 25.8% delta.

The pattern across all 17 head-to-head tests is consistent: the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins by a wide margin in multi-threaded and math-heavy tests, and by a more moderate margin in single-threaded tests. The Core i3-14100 remains competitive only in relative terms, meaning its scores are closer to the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus in single-threaded tests but still decisively behind.

The nearest rivals for the Core i3-14100 in the database are the Intel Core 3 305 (average score 18,302, delta 0.1%), Intel Core 5 330 (18,345, delta -0.1%), Intel Core 7 360 (18,374, delta -0.3%), and Intel Core i3-13100 (18,380, delta -0.3%). The Core i3-14100 sits nearly level with those parts, all within 0.3% of its average score. The nearest rivals for the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus are the Intel Xeon 6520P (93,786, delta 0%), AMD EPYC 4564P (95,183, delta -1.5%), AMD EPYC 9175F (95,615, delta -1.9%), and AMD EPYC 4565P (95,764, delta -2.1%). The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus trails the Xeon by a negligible 0% and sits within 2.1% of the EPYC parts.

The benchmark data shows no overlap between the two CPUs in performance terms. Every recorded test, from compression to physics, places the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus ahead. The only distinctions that could sway a buyer toward the Core i3-14100 are platform compatibility and power draw, both of which are documented in the specifications but not in benchmark scores.