Intel Core i7-14700HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between the Intel Core i7-14700HX and the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H. The i7-14700HX claims 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head wins, often by substantial margins. The Ultra 5 338H counters with 5 wins, mostly in single-thread or specialized workloads.

The largest victory for the i7-14700HX appears in Passmark integer math, where it scores 131296 against 64934, a delta of 102.2%. This is more than double the output of the Ultra 5 338H. Data compression shows a similar pattern: the i7-14700HX scores 438539 versus 276539, a 58.6% advantage. Cinebench R15 multicore delivers a 52.2% lead (3812 vs 2504), and Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 50.6% edge (24595 vs 16331). These are not marginal differences; they indicate a fundamentally different throughput class.

The Ultra 5 338H wins are narrower in some cases but notable in specific tasks. Passmark find prime numbers shows the Ultra 5 338H at 304 versus 165, a 45.7% advantage for the newer chip. Passmark physics favors the Ultra 5 338H by 16.5% (2697 vs 2252). Single-thread performance in Passmark goes to the Ultra 5 338H at 4180 versus 3947, a 5.6% lead. Cinebench R15 singlecore also favors the Ultra 5 338H, 305 vs 296, though by only 3%.

The i7-14700HX dominates Cinebench R20 multicore with a 27.9% lead (13059 vs 10213) and matches that same 27.9% delta in Cinebench R20 singlecore (1843 vs 1441). This singlecore R20 result is surprising because the Ultra 5 338H wins other single-thread tests. The data suggests the i7-14700HX holds a mixed single-thread profile: ahead in R20 and R23 singlecore (2.9% in R23), but behind in Passmark single-thread and Cinebench R15 singlecore.

Passmark multithread shows the i7-14700HX ahead by 27.3% (36566 vs 28717). Floating point math favors the i7-14700HX by 11.6% (93836 vs 84067). Random string sorting goes to the i7-14700HX by 42.4% (48544 vs 34082). Data encryption shows a 22.1% lead for the i7-14700HX (26092 vs 21367). Extended instructions are closer, with the i7-14700HX ahead by 7.6% (25718 vs 23906).

The average benchmark score tells the overall story: the i7-14700HX sits at 45953, while the Ultra 5 338H averages 33989. In the database's percentile ranking, the i7-14700HX lands at the 89th percentile versus the Ultra 5 338H's 84th percentile. The i7-14700HX's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7303 (45960, 0% delta) and the AMD EPYC 4364P (45970, 0% delta). The Ultra 5 338H sits near the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H (34083, -0.3% delta) and Intel Core i7-12800HX (33875, 0.3% delta).

The Verdict

The recorded data draws a straightforward conclusion. The Intel Core i7-14700HX is the higher-performing processor in aggregate, with an average benchmark score of 45953 versus 33989 for the Ultra 5 338H. It wins the majority of tests, and its multicore advantages are decisive in rendering, compression, and integer workloads. The 89th percentile ranking places it above the Ultra 5 338H's 84th percentile.

The Ultra 5 338H is not without merit. It wins in prime number finding, physics simulation, and Passmark single-thread. These wins point to architectural efficiency in specific instruction patterns rather than raw throughput. However, the margin of its wins (45.7% in prime numbers, 16.5% in physics, 5.6% in single-thread) does not offset the i7-14700HX's massive leads in integer math (102.2%) and data compression (58.6%).

For workloads that scale across cores, the i7-14700HX is the clear choice. For single-threaded responsiveness and specialized math patterns, the Ultra 5 338H holds an edge. The data does not support calling the Ultra 5 338H a general replacement for the i7-14700HX in heavy compute tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-14700HX wins in every multicore-heavy benchmark recorded. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore all favor it by margins from 27.9% to 52.2%. Passmark multithread confirms this with a 27.3% lead. Data compression (58.6%), integer math (102.2%), random string sorting (42.4%), and data encryption (22.1%) all fall to the i7-14700HX. Floating point math (11.6%) and extended instructions (7.6%) also favor it. Even Cinebench R20 singlecore (27.9%) and R23 singlecore (2.9%) go to the i7-14700HX.

The Ultra 5 338H wins in Cinebench R15 singlecore (3%), Passmark single-thread (5.6%), Passmark physics (16.5%), and Passmark find prime numbers (45.7%). These wins cluster around workloads that reward per-core efficiency and specific arithmetic patterns rather than raw core count. The physics result is particularly interesting: 2697 versus 2252, a 16.5% margin despite the i7-14700HX having more cores and higher clock speeds.

Use-case implications follow from these benchmarks. The i7-14700HX suits rendering, video encoding, compression, and database operations that leverage its 20 cores and 28 threads. The Ultra 5 338H suits tasks like prime number sieving, physics calculations, and lightly threaded applications where its single-core Passmark score of 4180 leads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700HX averages 45953, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H averages 33989.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: Passmark integer math shows the i7-14700HX ahead by 102.2%, scoring 131296 versus 64934.

Q: Does the Ultra 5 338H win any benchmarks by a large margin?

A: Yes, Passmark find prime numbers goes to the Ultra 5 338H by 45.7% (304 vs 165), its largest win.

Q: How do the two compare in single-thread performance?

A: Results are mixed. The Ultra 5 338H wins Passmark single-thread (4180 vs 3947, 5.6%) and Cinebench R15 singlecore (305 vs 296, 3%). The i7-14700HX wins Cinebench R20 singlecore (1843 vs 1441, 27.9%) and Cinebench R23 singlecore (2103 vs 2044, 2.9%).

Q: What are the percentile rankings for each chip?

A: The i7-14700HX ranks at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, while the Ultra 5 338H ranks at the 84th percentile.

Q: Which chip wins in physics simulation?

A: The Ultra 5 338H wins Passmark physics with 2697 versus 2252, a 16.5% margin.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The i7-14700HX uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-HX refresh, on a 10 nm process node from Intel. The Ultra 5 338H uses Panther Lake, on a 3 nm process node, also from Intel. This process gap explains some of the efficiency differences observed in benchmarks.

Core counts diverge sharply. The i7-14700HX has 20 cores and 28 threads, while the Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. The i7-14700HX supports simultaneous multithreading; the Ultra 5 338H does not, based on the thread count matching the core count.

Cache hierarchies differ in structure. The i7-14700HX has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 338H has larger per-core caches: 192 KB L1 per core and 2.5 MB L2 per core, but a smaller 18 MB shared L3. The total die size for the i7-14700HX is 257 mm², while the Ultra 5 338H has no recorded die size.

Memory support splits the two as well. The i7-14700HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus. The Ultra 5 338H supports LPDDR5X on a dual-channel bus with a recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. ECC memory is supported by the i7-14700HX but not by the Ultra 5 338H.

PCIe connectivity differs: the i7-14700HX provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 5 338H provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). This reflects different intended platform roles.

The multiplier is unlocked on the i7-14700HX, while the Ultra 5 338H has a locked multiplier. Integrated graphics also differ: the i7-14700HX uses UHD Graphics 770, and the Ultra 5 338H uses Arc B370. Sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1964 for the i7-14700HX versus Intel BGA 2540 for the Ultra 5 338H.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several differences beyond architecture. Base clock: the i7-14700HX runs at 2.10 GHz, the Ultra 5 338H at 1.90 GHz. Boost clock: the i7-14700HX reaches 5.50 GHz, the Ultra 5 338H tops out at 4.70 GHz.

Thermal design power differs significantly: the i7-14700HX is rated at 55 W, the Ultra 5 338H at 25 W. Release dates also differ: the i7-14700HX launched on 2024-01-07, while the Ultra 5 338H launched on 2026-01-04. Part numbers are SRMXG for the i7-14700HX and SA4REQ9EW for the Ultra 5 338H.

The series names differ: Core 14th Gen for the i7-14700HX versus Core Ultra Series 3 for the Ultra 5 338H. Both are active production parts for the mobile market segment. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.