Intel Core i7-14700 vs Intel Core i9-14901E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data records 17 head-to-head comparisons between the Intel Core i7-14700 and the Intel Core i9-14901E. The i7-14700 wins 11 of these tests, while the i9-14901E takes 6. The overall average benchmark scores confirm the split: the i7-14700 averages 52,301 points, while the i9-14901E averages 37,911 points, a gap of roughly 38%.

The largest single win for the i7-14700 comes in PassMark data compression, where it scores 498,198 versus 288,777 for the i9-14901E, a 72.5% advantage. Extended instructions also show a major gap, with the i7-14700 at 28,388 and the i9-14901E at 17,249, a 64.6% difference. Data encryption favors the i7-14700 by 59.4%, with scores of 29,601 versus 18,571.

Cinebench R15 multi-core gives the i7-14700 a 56.5% lead, scoring 4,061 against 2,595. Random string sorting favors the i7-14700 by 38.8%, and integer math shows a 37.1% edge for the i7-14700. Floating point math and multithread workloads both favor the i7-14700 by 31.6% and 33.1%, respectively. Cinebench R20 multi-core and single-core both give the i7-14700 roughly a 33% lead, with scores of 14,388 versus 10,816 and 2,031 versus 1,526. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a narrower 10.3% margin, with the i7-14700 scoring 28,398 against 25,753.

The i9-14901E counters in single-threaded and light-load tests. Its most decisive win is Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 3,635 against 2,080, a 42.8% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core also favors the i9-14901E by 18.3%, scoring 366 versus 299. PassMark physics gives the i9-14901E a 26.8% lead, with 3,041 versus 2,226. Find prime numbers favors the i9-14901E by 13.2%, scoring 189 versus 164. PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests, which record identical scores, give the i9-14901E a 2.7% edge at 4,354 versus 4,236.

The pattern is consistent: the i7-14700 dominates in multi-core throughput and data-heavy workloads, while the i9-14901E wins in single-core responsiveness and physics simulation. The i7-14700 also holds a percentile advantage, ranking in the 91st percentile of all CPUs versus the 86th percentile for the i9-14901E.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Raptor Lake architecture and Raptor Lake-R codename, using Intel's 10 nm process node with a 257 mm² die. Both use Intel Socket 1700, support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and include ECC memory support. Each has UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics and PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The core configurations differ substantially. The i7-14700 has 20 cores and 28 threads, while the i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads. This core count difference drives most of the multi-core performance gap. The i7-14700's base clock is 2.10 GHz and boost clock is 5.40 GHz. The i9-14901E runs a base clock of 2.80 GHz and boosts to 5.60 GHz, giving it higher clock speeds on both ends. Both processors have a 65 W TDP.

Cache layouts follow the core counts. Both use 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache differs: the i7-14700 has 33 MB shared, while the i9-14901E has 36 MB shared. Despite having fewer cores, the i9-14901E carries 3 MB more L3 cache, which likely contributes to its single-core advantages.

The release dates differ. The i7-14700 launched on January 7, 2024, with a launch MSRP of $384. The i9-14901E launched on June 30, 2024, with no launch MSRP recorded. Both are listed as active production parts. The i7-14700 has part number SRN40, and the i9-14901E has part number Q49ESRNJH. The i7-14700 is classified as Core i7 (Raptor Lake Refresh), while the i9-14901E is classified as Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh). Both target the desktop market segment.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-14700 is the clear choice for multi-threaded workloads. Its 20 cores and 28 threads deliver decisive wins across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, with margins ranging from 10.3% to 56.5%. PassMark multithread shows a 33.1% advantage, and the data-heavy tests amplify this further. Data compression, encryption, extended instructions, integer math, and floating point math all favor the i7-14700 by margins between 31.6% and 72.5%. Random string sorting also goes to the i7-14700 with a 38.8% lead. Any workload that scales across cores, such as rendering, video encoding, scientific computation, or database operations, will see materially higher throughput from the i7-14700.

The i9-14901E wins where single-thread performance matters most. Its higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz and larger 36 MB L3 cache give it a 42.8% edge in Cinebench R23 single-core and an 18.3% edge in Cinebench R15 single-core. PassMark physics shows a 26.8% advantage, indicating better performance in physics simulation tasks. Find prime numbers favors the i9-14901E by 13.2%, and PassMark single-thread shows a small 2.7% edge. Applications that depend on low-latency single-core execution, such as legacy software, certain game engines, or lightly threaded productivity tools, will perform better on the i9-14901E.

The i7-14700 also holds a broader performance standing. Its 91st percentile versus 86th percentile ranking, and its average benchmark score of 52,301 versus 37,911, indicate that the i7-14700 is the stronger overall processor despite the i9-14901E's single-core strengths.

The Verdict

The recorded data indicates two distinct performance profiles. The Intel Core i7-14700 is the higher-performing processor overall, with 11 benchmark wins, a 91st percentile ranking, and an average score of 52,301. It delivers 72.5% higher data compression throughput, 64.6% higher extended instruction performance, and 59.4% higher encryption throughput than the i9-14901E. For multi-core rendering, the i7-14700 leads by 56.5% in Cinebench R15 multi-core and by 33% in Cinebench R20 multi-core. Users running parallel workloads, batch processing, or content creation suites should select the i7-14700.

The Intel Core i9-14901E, with its 8 cores and 16 threads, offers a different trade-off. It wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 42.8%, PassMark physics by 26.8%, and Cinebench R15 single-core by 18.3%. Its higher base clock of 2.80 GHz and boost clock of 5.60 GHz, combined with 36 MB of L3 cache, make it the better option for single-threaded responsiveness. Users prioritizing fast single-core execution in lightweight, interactive applications will find the i9-14901E preferable.

Both processors share the same 65 W TDP, same socket, same memory support, and same integrated graphics. The i7-14700 has a launch MSRP of $384, while the i9-14901E has no recorded launch MSRP. The i7-14700 is the more versatile and higher-scoring processor, while the i9-14901E serves a narrower single-thread-oriented use case.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700 has 20 cores and 28 threads, while the Intel Core i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two?

A: The i7-14700 has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The i9-14901E has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz.

Q: How do they compare in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The i7-14700 wins all multi-core tests. It leads by 56.5% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 33% in Cinebench R20 multi-core, 10.3% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 33.1% in PassMark multithread.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core tests?

A: The i9-14901E wins all single-core tests. It leads by 42.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core, 18.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core, and 2.7% in PassMark single-thread.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The i7-14700 has an average benchmark score of 52,301, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. The i9-14901E has an average benchmark score of 37,911, placing it in the 86th percentile.