Intel Core i5-14401E vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a clear division between these two processors. The Intel Core i5-14401E wins five of the six direct benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V takes only one. The margins, however, are not uniform across every test.

The largest victory for the i5-14401E appears in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test. Here, the i5-14401E scores 18,161 against the Ultra 7 256V's 10,399, a delta of 74.6%. This is a massive gap, indicating that the desktop part's 12 threads provide a substantial advantage in heavily parallel rendering workloads. The Cinebench R23 single-core test also favors the i5-14401E, with a score of 2,564 versus 1,877.5, a 36.6% lead. This result is notable because single-core performance is often less dependent on thread count, yet the i5-14401E still delivers a significant edge.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-14401E wins both multi-core and single-core tests. In multi-core, it scores 7,627 against 6,958, a 9.6% difference. In single-core, it scores 1,076 against 982, also a 9.6% difference. These margins are far narrower than the R23 results, which suggests that the relative performance gap shrinks as the workload scales down. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-14401E again leads, scoring 1,830 versus 1,583.5, a 15.6% advantage.

The sole victory for the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V comes in the Cinebench R15 single-core test. It scores 285.5 against the i5-14401E's 258, a delta of -9.6% (meaning the Ultra 7 is 9.6% ahead). This is a modest win, and it is the only test where the mobile chip outperforms the desktop chip. Interestingly, the Ultra 7 256V does not have any recorded Geekbench or Passmark results in the head-to-head comparison data, so the analysis of its strengths is limited to the Cinebench suite.

Overall, the benchmark results indicate that the i5-14401E is the stronger processor in most compute-bound tasks, with its multi-core advantage being particularly pronounced. The Ultra 7 256V shows a small single-core edge in one test, but it does not translate to broader success in the other recorded metrics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has a significantly higher average benchmark score of 21,112, while the Intel Core i5-14401E averages 5,253. This difference is largely due to the Ultra 7 256V having a broader set of recorded tests, including Passmark workloads that are not present for the i5-14401E.

Q: How does the i5-14401E compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The i5-14401E sits at the 60th percentile of all CPUs. Its closest rival, the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4, has an average score of 5,259, which is 0.1% higher. The Intel Core i7-11700B (5,241) and Intel Core i9-10850K (5,240) are each 0.2% lower, while the Intel Core i5-13400T (5,210) is 0.8% lower.

Q: How does the Ultra 7 256V compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Ultra 7 256V sits at the 75th percentile of all CPUs. Its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U, has an average score of 21,133, which is 0.1% higher. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G (21,088) is 0.1% lower, the Intel Core i3-1220P (21,066) is 0.2% lower, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U (21,174) is 0.3% higher.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The i5-14401E uses hyper-threading, which doubles its thread count, whereas the Ultra 7 256V has no hyper-threading.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, which is slightly higher than the Intel Core i5-14401E's 4.70 GHz. The base clocks differ as well, with the i5-14401E at 2.50 GHz and the Ultra 7 256V at 2.20 GHz.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has a TDP of 17 watts. This indicates that the Ultra 7 256V is designed for much lower power consumption, consistent with its mobile market segment.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The Intel Core i5-14401E uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, and is manufactured on a 10 nm process node by Intel. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V uses the Lunar Lake architecture, also codenamed Lunar Lake, and is manufactured on a 3 nm process node by TSMC. This process node difference is substantial, with the 3 nm node being significantly more advanced, which contributes to the Ultra 7 256V's lower power draw.

The cache hierarchies also differ. The i5-14401E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 256V has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 256V has more L1 and L2 cache per core, but the i5-14401E has a larger total L3 cache. The die size of the i5-14401E is 215 mm², while the die size for the Ultra 7 256V is not recorded.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-14401E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 7 256V uses Arc 140V. The Arc 140V is a more advanced integrated GPU, which is typical for a mobile processor that relies on integrated graphics for everyday tasks.

The PCIe support also differs. The i5-14401E supports Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 256V supports Gen 5 with only 4 lanes (CPU only). This makes the i5-14401E far more suitable for desktop configurations with multiple high-bandwidth expansion cards. The i5-14401E also supports ECC memory, while the Ultra 7 256V does not.

The memory support is another distinguishing factor. The i5-14401E supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 256V's memory support is listed as unknown and depends on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the actual bandwidth figures are not recorded for either part.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The i5-14401E has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Ultra 7 256V has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. While the Ultra 7 256V has a higher boost clock, the i5-14401E has a higher base clock.

The TDP differs dramatically: 65 watts for the i5-14401E versus 17 watts for the Ultra 7 256V. This reflects their market segments, with the i5-14401E being a desktop processor and the Ultra 7 256V being a mobile processor. The socket types also differ: the i5-14401E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 7 256V uses Intel BGA 2833, which is a soldered mobile socket.

The process node and foundry are different: the i5-14401E is on 10 nm at Intel, while the Ultra 7 256V is on 3 nm at TSMC. The die size is 215 mm² for the i5-14401E, with no recorded die size for the Ultra 7 256V. The cache configurations differ as previously noted, with the i5-14401E having 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, and the Ultra 7 256V having 192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2 per core. L3 cache is 20 MB for the i5-14401E and 12 MB for the Ultra 7 256V.

The integrated graphics are different, with UHD Graphics 730 for the i5-14401E and Arc 140V for the Ultra 7 256V. The i5-14401E supports ECC memory, while the Ultra 7 256V does not. PCIe lanes are 16 for the i5-14401E versus 4 for the Ultra 7 256V, both Gen 5. Memory support is DDR4/DDR5 for the i5-14401E and unknown for the Ultra 7 256V. The release dates are 2024-06-30 for the i5-14401E and 2024-09-23 for the Ultra 7 256V. Neither processor has a recorded launch MSRP, and both are still in active production.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct use cases. The Intel Core i5-14401E is the clear choice for multi-threaded desktop workloads. Its 12 threads and 65-watt TDP deliver a 74.6% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 15.6% lead in R15 multi-core. Its 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and ECC memory support make it suitable for workstation-class systems where expansion and data integrity are priorities. The 60th percentile ranking places it among mid-range desktop parts, and its closest rivals are all desktop or high-performance mobile chips with similar average scores.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is optimized for efficiency and portability. Its 17-watt TDP is a fraction of the i5-14401E's power draw, and its 3 nm process node from TSMC enables this. It wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test by 9.6%, showing a small advantage in lightly threaded tasks. Its 75th percentile ranking is higher than the i5-14401E's, but this is driven by a broader set of Passmark tests that are not available for the i5-14401E. The Ultra 7 256V's nearest rivals are all mobile or low-power parts, such as the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U.

For users who need raw compute throughput in rendering, encoding, or scientific workloads, the i5-14401E is the stronger option based on the recorded Cinebench results. For users who prioritize low power consumption and a compact mobile form factor, the Ultra 7 256V is the appropriate choice. The data does not support a single winner across all scenarios; the decision depends on whether the workload favors multi-core performance or energy efficiency.