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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between these two Intel processors, with the Core i7-14700HX winning 10 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons while the Core i9-14901E takes 7. The pattern is consistent: the mobile i7 dominates heavily threaded workloads, while the desktop i9 leads in single-thread performance and certain specialized tasks.

The largest margin belongs to the i7-14700HX in PassMark data compression, where it scores 438,539 against 288,777 for the i9-14901E, a 51.9% advantage. That result aligns with the i7's 20 cores and 28 threads versus the i9's 8 cores and 16 threads. A similar gap appears in PassMark extended instructions, where the i7 posts 25,718 versus 17,249, a 49.1% lead. Data encryption also favors the i7 by 40.5%, with scores of 26,092 and 18,571 respectively.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-14700HX delivers 3,812 points against 2,595 for the i9-14901E, a 46.9% margin. The R20 multicore test shows a narrower but still decisive 20.7% gap, with scores of 13,059 and 10,816. PassMark multithread mirrors that exactly, also showing 20.7% in favor of the i7 (36,566 versus 30,298). Floating-point math favors the i7 by 15.7% (93,836 versus 81,089), and integer math by 16.5% (131,296 versus 112,736). Random string sorting adds another i7 win at 24% (48,544 versus 39,138).

The i9-14901E takes its most emphatic win in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 3,635 against 2,103 for the i7, a 42.1% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core also goes to the i9 by 19.1% (366 versus 296), and R20 single-core is surprisingly close with the i7 ahead at 1,843 versus 1,526, a 20.8% margin in favor of the i7. That R20 result is an outlier relative to the other single-core tests, but the data records it as an i7 win. PassMark single-thread shows the i9 ahead by 9.3% (4,354 versus 3,947), as does the duplicate PassMark singlethread entry with the same scores. Physics simulation goes to the i9 by 25.9% (3,041 versus 2,252), and prime number finding favors the i9 by 12.7% (189 versus 165).

The i9 also wins Cinebench R23 multicore, 25,753 versus 24,595, a 4.5% margin. That is notable because the i7 dominates most other multicore tests, yet the i9 edges ahead in this specific workload. The overall picture shows the i7 as the stronger multi-threaded performer across the majority of tests, while the i9 holds a clear single-thread advantage in most metrics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

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

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The i7-14700HX has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The i9-14901E has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 single-core?

A: The i9-14901E wins decisively with a score of 3,635 against 2,103 for the i7-14700HX, a 42.1% difference.

Q: Which CPU has the higher overall benchmark average?

A: The i7-14700HX has an average benchmark score of 45,953, while the i9-14901E averages 37,911. The i7 also ranks at the 89th percentile versus the 86th percentile for the i9.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the i7-14700HX and the i9-14901E support ECC memory.

Q: Are both CPUs based on the same architecture?

A: Both use Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, with the same 257 mm² die size. The i7 uses the Raptor Lake-HX codename, while the i9 uses Raptor Lake-R.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental Raptor Lake architecture, manufactured by Intel on a 10 nm process node with a 257 mm² die size. The core counts differ substantially: the i7-14700HX packs 20 cores and 28 threads, while the i9-14901E uses 8 cores and 16 threads. That core disparity drives most of the performance differences observed in the benchmark data.

Cache hierarchies are similar in structure but differ in total L3 capacity. Each core on both chips has 80 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2. The shared L3 cache is 33 MB on the i7-14700HX and 36 MB on the i9-14901E. The i9's larger L3 pool likely contributes to its strong single-thread results, especially in Cinebench R23 single-core where it leads by 42.1%.

The i7-14700HX belongs to the Raptor Lake-HX refresh generation and carries the part number SRMXG. The i9-14901E is part of the Raptor Lake-R generation with part number Q49ESRNJH. Both are marked as Active in production status, and both use Intel BGA 1964 and Intel Socket 1700 respectively. The i7's socket is BGA 1964, indicating a mobile package, while the i9 uses Socket 1700 for desktop installations.

Both chips support DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus. Both also feature PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and both integrate UHD Graphics 770. ECC memory support is present on both, which is unusual for consumer parts and suggests these are aimed at workstation-class workloads.

The i7-14700HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the i9-14901E does not. That means the i7 allows overclocking adjustments, whereas the i9 is locked in that regard.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several core specifications. The i7-14700HX uses 20 cores and 28 threads; the i9-14901E uses 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 2.10 GHz for the i7 and 2.80 GHz for the i9. Boost clocks are closer, with 5.50 GHz on the i7 and 5.60 GHz on the i9.

Thermal design power differs: the i7-14700HX is rated at 55 W, while the i9-14901E is rated at 65 W. The i7 uses the Intel BGA 1964 socket, and the i9 uses Intel Socket 1700. The i7 is classified as Mobile market segment, while the i9 is Desktop.

L3 cache differs as well: 33 MB shared on the i7 versus 36 MB shared on the i9. The i7 has an unlocked multiplier; the i9 does not. Release dates differ, with the i7 launching on January 7, 2024, and the i9 launching on June 30, 2024. Part numbers are SRMXG for the i7 and Q49ESRNJH for the i9.

Both share the same process node, foundry, die size, L1 and L2 per-core cache, memory support, ECC capability, PCIe configuration, integrated graphics, and dual-channel memory bus.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct usage profiles. The i7-14700HX is the stronger all-around performer for multithreaded tasks, winning 10 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks and holding a higher average benchmark score of 45,953 versus 37,911 for the i9. Its 89th percentile ranking versus 86th for the i9 confirms that broader statistical advantage.

The i9-14901E wins in single-thread tests across Cinebench R15, R23, and PassMark single-thread, plus physics and prime number workloads. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3,635 is 42.1% ahead of the i7's 2,103, which is a substantial gap for single-thread scenarios. The i9 also exceeds the i7 in Cinebench R23 multicore, 25,753 versus 24,595, despite having fewer cores.

For workloads that scale with core count, the i7-14700HX is clearly superior. For applications that depend on single-thread speed or per-core efficiency, the i9-14901E holds the edge. The i7 also offers an unlocked multiplier, which the i9 lacks, giving overclocking flexibility on the mobile chip. The i9's higher TDP of 65 W versus 55 W for the i7 reflects its desktop orientation.

The i7-14700HX is the choice when parallel throughput matters most. The i9-14901E suits tasks where single-thread latency dominates.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i7-14700HX wins in:

• Cinebench R15 multicore (46.9% ahead)
• Cinebench R20 multicore (20.7% ahead)
• Cinebench R20 single-core (20.8% ahead)
• PassMark data compression (51.9% ahead)
• PassMark data encryption (40.5% ahead)
• PassMark extended instructions (49.1% ahead)
• PassMark floating point math (15.7% ahead)
• PassMark integer math (16.5% ahead)
• PassMark multithread (20.7% ahead)
• PassMark random string sorting (24% ahead)
• Average benchmark score (45,953 versus 37,911)
• Percentile ranking (89th versus 86th)

Intel Core i9-14901E wins in:

• Cinebench R15 single-core (19.1% ahead)
• Cinebench R23 multicore (4.5% ahead)
• Cinebench R23 single-core (42.1% ahead)
• PassMark find prime numbers (12.7% ahead)
• PassMark physics (25.9% ahead)
• PassMark single-thread (9.3% ahead)
• PassMark singlethread (9.3% ahead)

The i7's wins cluster around throughput-heavy operations: compression, encryption, vector instructions, and math workloads. The i9's wins concentrate in single-thread tests, scalar workflows like prime number searches, and physics simulation. Users processing large datasets, encoding media, or running parallel compilation should favor the i7. Users running lightly threaded simulations, single-threaded rendering, or latency-sensitive applications should favor the i9.