Intel Core i7-13850HX vs Intel Core i7-14700 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark database paints a clear picture: the Intel Core i7-14700 is the stronger all-around performer, winning 12 of 17 head-to-head tests against the Intel Core i7-13850HX. However, the i7-13850HX delivers decisive victories in specific single-core and physics workloads that cannot be dismissed. The data shows the i7-14700 leads in multi-core throughput, encryption, compression, integer math, and floating-point math, while the i7-13850HX counterattacks with a 52% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core and a 31.4% edge in Cinebench R15 single-core.

For desktop users prioritizing sustained multi-threaded workloads, the i7-14700 is the clear choice. It outperforms the mobile chip by 31.3% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 11.6% in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 9.4% in PassMark multi-thread. Conversely, the i7-13850HX, despite being a mobile processor, wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test by 7.5% and dominates single-core racing, making it a compelling option for workloads that favor high-frequency single-thread execution. The i7-14700 also edges out the i7-13850HX in average benchmark score, 52301 to 50761, and sits at the 91st percentile versus the 90th percentile among all CPUs. The i7-13850HX remains a strong mobile alternative, but the data favors the desktop chip for most compute-heavy tasks.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Raptor Lake architecture and a 10 nm process node from Intel, with identical die sizes of 257 mm². The core configuration is the same: 20 cores and 28 threads on each chip. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core, and the L2 cache matches at 2 MB per core. The L3 cache differs, with the i7-14700 offering 33 MB shared versus 30 MB shared on the i7-13850HX. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, and both support ECC memory.

The i7-14700 is a desktop part built for Intel Socket 1700, while the i7-13850HX is a mobile chip on Intel BGA 1964. The desktop processor boosts to 5.40 GHz, slightly higher than the mobile chip's 5.30 GHz, though both have the same 2.10 GHz base clock. The i7-14700 carries a 65 W TDP versus 55 W for the mobile part, a difference that likely influences sustained performance in portable systems. PCIe lanes differ: the i7-14700 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-13850HX offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Both integrate UHD Graphics 770. The i7-14700 is not multiplier-unlocked, whereas the i7-13850HX is multiplier-unlocked, allowing overclocking on compatible platforms. The i7-14700 launched on 2024-01-07, while the i7-13850HX launched on 2023-01-03, roughly a year earlier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest multi-core victory for the i7-14700 comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 4061 against 3093, a 31.3% advantage. That gap narrows in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with 14388 versus 12891, an 11.6% lead. In PassMark multi-thread, the i7-14700 scores 40318 against 36870, a 9.4% edge. These results indicate the desktop chip sustains higher throughput across the board in multi-threaded rendering and general parallel workloads.

The i7-13850HX fights back in single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 436 versus 299, a 31.4% win. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap becomes dramatic: 4333 versus 2080, a 52% victory. Even in Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-14700 wins narrowly with 2031 versus 1819, an 11.7% edge, showing that the mobile chip does not dominate every single-core test. PassMark single-thread tells a different story: the i7-14700 scores 4236 versus 3769, a 12.4% lead.

The i7-14700 also wins several specialized PassMark workloads. Data compression favors it by 12.8% (498198 versus 441525), data encryption by 13.6% (29601 versus 26062), extended instructions by 6.8% (28388 versus 26586), floating-point math by 15.5% (106716 versus 92369), integer math by 21.8% (154535 versus 126852), and random string sorting by 10.5% (54340 versus 49198). The i7-13850HX wins PassMark find prime numbers by 10.9% (184 versus 164) and PassMark physics by 10.4% (2483 versus 2226).

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several key fields. The i7-14700 has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the i7-13850HX reaches 5.30 GHz. The base clock is identical at 2.10 GHz. TDP differs: 65 W for the desktop chip versus 55 W for the mobile chip. Socket types are distinct, with Intel Socket 1700 for the i7-14700 and Intel BGA 1964 for the i7-13850HX. L3 cache is 33 MB shared on the i7-14700 versus 30 MB shared on the i7-13850HX. PCIe lane count differs: 16 lanes (CPU only) on the desktop part versus 20 lanes (CPU only) on the mobile part. The i7-14700 has a locked multiplier, while the i7-13850HX is unlocked. Release dates are different, with the i7-14700 launching on 2024-01-07 and the i7-13850HX on 2023-01-03. The launch MSRP for the i7-14700 is $384, and for the i7-13850HX it is $428.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700 has 33 MB shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i7-13850HX has 30 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: Can the Intel Core i7-13850HX be overclocked?

A: Yes, the i7-13850HX is multiplier-unlocked, whereas the i7-14700 is not multiplier-unlocked.

Q: Which chip wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The Intel Core i7-13850HX wins with a score of 30695 versus 28398 for the i7-14700, a 7.5% difference.

Q: What is the single-thread PassMark score difference?

A: The i7-14700 scores 4236 in PassMark single-thread, while the i7-13850HX scores 3769, giving the desktop chip a 12.4% lead.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, and both support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-14700 boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the i7-13850HX boosts to 5.30 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-14700 wins in scenarios that demand sustained multi-core throughput. Its 31.3% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 11.6% lead in Cinebench R20 multi-core make it the stronger choice for content creation workloads that rely on long rendering sessions. The 21.8% advantage in PassMark integer math and 15.5% edge in floating-point math indicate superiority in general computational tasks, including scientific simulations and financial modeling. The 13.6% lead in data encryption and 12.8% lead in data compression point to efficiency in database operations, file archiving, and security-related workloads. The 12.4% improvement in PassMark single-thread also means the desktop chip handles everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded applications better, despite the mobile chip's outlier Cinebench single-core results.

The i7-13850HX wins in specific single-core and physics-intensive scenarios. Its 52% victory in Cinebench R23 single-core is the largest margin in the entire comparison, suggesting that workloads heavily dependent on that specific benchmark will see a significant boost. The 31.4% win in Cinebench R15 single-core reinforces this pattern, though the i7-14700 counters with an 11.7% win in Cinebench R20 single-core. The 10.4% lead in PassMark physics indicates an advantage in physics simulation tasks, while the 10.9% lead in find prime numbers points to strength in prime-number calculations. The i7-13850HX also wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test by 7.5%, making it a viable option for that specific rendering workload, even in a mobile form factor. For users constrained to a laptop platform, the i7-13850HX offers a competitive alternative with a lower TDP of 55 W versus 65 W, plus an unlocked multiplier for tuning.