Intel Core i7-14650HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i7-14650HX and the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H reveals a clear split: the Core i7 dominates multi-threaded workloads, while the Core Ultra 5 takes single-thread and specific mathematical tasks. Across 17 recorded tests, the Core i7-14650HX wins 11, and the Core Ultra 5 338H wins 6.

The largest margin in the entire dataset belongs to the Core i7-14650HX in PassMark integer math, where it scores 116,661 against 64,934, a delta of 79.7%. That is a decisive advantage for integer-heavy computation. Data compression also favors the Core i7 heavily: 398,418 versus 276,539, a 44.1% lead. Cinebench R15 multicore shows a 38.6% gap (3470.5 versus 2504), and Cinebench R23 multicore shows 25.2% (20,454 versus 16,331). Random string sorting goes to the Core i7 by 26.3% (43,035 versus 34,082). Cinebench R20 multicore and single-core both go to the Core i7 with identical 17% deltas (11,946 versus 10,213 multicore; 1,686 versus 1,441 single-core). PassMark multithread shows a 16.6% lead for the Core i7 (33,495 versus 28,717). Data encryption is closer, at 7.3% (22,917 versus 21,367), and extended instructions show only a 1% edge (24,150 versus 23,906). Floating point math is nearly even, 1.1% in favor of the Core i7 (84,999 versus 84,067).

The Core Ultra 5 338H counters with notable single-thread results. PassMark single-thread shows 4,180 versus 3,841, an 8.1% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 305 versus 285.5, a 6.4% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2,044 versus 1,969, a 3.7% edge. The most striking win for the Core Ultra 5 is PassMark find prime numbers: 304 versus 152, a 50% advantage, which indicates a fundamentally different execution efficiency on that workload. PassMark physics also goes to the Core Ultra 5 by 18.4% (2,697 versus 2,202).

The overall average benchmark score places the Core i7-14650HX at 41,576, which is 22.3% higher than the Core Ultra 5's 33,989. The percentile rankings reflect this: the Core i7 sits at the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 5 sits at the 84th. The Core i7's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (delta -0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X (delta 0.5%), showing it competes with desktop-class parts. The Core Ultra 5's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H (delta -0.3%) and the Intel Core i7-12800HX (delta 0.3%), placing it in a different performance tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-14650HX. It wins all four multi-core Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23) and PassMark multithread. The largest multi-core gap is 38.6% in Cinebench R15; the smallest is 16.6% in PassMark multithread.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 5 338H win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, it wins six tests: Cinebench R15 single-core, Cinebench R23 single-core, PassMark find prime numbers, PassMark physics, PassMark single-thread, and the duplicate PassMark singlethread result. Its biggest win is a 50% lead in prime number finding.

Q: How do the two compare in data encryption?

A: The Core i7-14650HX leads by 7.3%, with a score of 22,917 versus 21,367. This is one of the closer multi-core-oriented results, but the Core i7 still takes it.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark score?

A: The Core i7-14650HX has an average benchmark score of 41,576, while the Core Ultra 5 338H has 33,989. The Core i7 is approximately 22% higher.

Q: Which chip has the better single-thread score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Core Ultra 5 338H, with 2,044 versus 1,969, a 3.7% lead. However, in Cinebench R20 single-core, the Core i7 wins by 17% (1,686 versus 1,441).

Q: How do the two processors rank among all CPUs?

A: The Core i7-14650HX ranks at the 88th percentile, while the Core Ultra 5 338H ranks at the 84th percentile. The Core i7's nearest rival is the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (delta -0.1%), and the Core Ultra 5's nearest rival is the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H (delta -0.3%).

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i7-14650HX is the stronger processor for multi-threaded workloads, with wins in 11 of 17 tests and a significantly higher average score. Its 79.7% margin in integer math and 44.1% margin in data compression make it the clear choice for tasks that scale across cores, such as rendering, compilation, and data processing. The Core Ultra 5 338H, however, delivers superior single-thread performance in several tests, particularly PassMark single-thread (8.1% lead) and Cinebench R15 single-core (6.4% lead). Its 50% advantage in prime number finding suggests efficiency in certain scalar workloads.

For users whose priority is raw multi-core throughput, the Core i7-14650HX is the data-supported pick. For users who value single-thread responsiveness and specific physics or prime-number workloads, the Core Ultra 5 338H has measurable advantages. The Core i7 also holds a higher percentile ranking (88 versus 84), reinforcing its overall position above the Core Ultra 5 in the database's aggregated metrics.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Core i7-14650HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 2.20 GHz for the Core i7 and 1.90 GHz for the Core Ultra 5. Boost clocks are 5.20 GHz and 4.70 GHz respectively. Thermal design power differs substantially: the Core i7 is rated at 55 watts, the Core Ultra 5 at 25 watts. The Core i7 uses the Intel BGA 1964 socket; the Core Ultra 5 uses Intel BGA 2540. The Core i7 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 supports LPDDR5X only. Memory bandwidth is not recorded for the Core i7, but the Core Ultra 5 lists 136.5 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the Core i7 but not on the Core Ultra 5. PCIe lane counts differ: the Core i7 has 16 CPU lanes, the Core Ultra 5 has 4. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 710 on the Core i7 and Arc B370 on the Core Ultra 5. The Core i7 has an unlocked multiplier; the Core Ultra 5 is locked. Release dates are 2024-01-07 for the Core i7 and 2026-01-04 for the Core Ultra 5.

Architecture Differences

The Core i7-14650HX is based on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-HX refresh, and uses a 10 nm process node. The Core Ultra 5 338H uses Panther Lake architecture on a 3 nm node. Both are manufactured by Intel. Cache structures differ notably: the Core i7 has 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, with 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 has 192 KB of L1 per core and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, with 18 MB of shared L3. The Core i7's die size is recorded at 257 mm², while the Core Ultra 5's die size is not recorded. The Core i7 is part of the Core 14th Gen series; the Core Ultra 5 is part of the Core Ultra Series 3. The Core i7's generation is listed as Core i7 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh), while the Core Ultra 5's is Ultra 5 (Panther Lake-H). The Core i7's part number is SRMXH; the Core Ultra 5's is SA4REQ9EW.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-14650HX wins in every category that demands sustained multi-threaded execution. Its 16 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 55-watt power envelope and 5.20 GHz boost clock, deliver the highest scores in Cinebench multicore tests (R15, R20, R23), PassMark multithread, integer math, data compression, random string sorting, data encryption, extended instructions, and floating point math. The 30 MB shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support likely contribute to its throughput advantages. The Core i7 also wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 17%, showing it is not purely a multi-thread part.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins in single-thread efficiency and specific scalar workloads. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4,180 is the highest of either processor, and it leads in Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core tests. The 50% lead in PassMark find prime numbers and the 18.4% lead in PassMark physics indicate that its 3 nm Panther Lake architecture, with larger per-core L1 (192 KB) and L2 (2.5 MB) caches, handles certain execution paths more efficiently. The 25-watt TDP and 4.70 GHz boost clock suggest a design optimized for power-sensitive mobile use, though the recorded data does not include battery or thermal measurements. For workloads that are single-threaded, latency-sensitive, or rely on prime-number or physics calculations, the Core Ultra 5 338H is the data-supported choice.