Intel Core i7-14701E vs Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL Comparison

The Intel Core i7-14701E and the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL are both active desktop processors from Intel, but they are engineered for entirely different objectives. The i7-14701E is a high-performance part from the Core 14th Gen family, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL is a low-power member of the Core Ultra Series 1. The benchmark data shows a complete sweep: the i7-14701E wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, with no wins for the Core Ultra 3 105UL. The average benchmark scores confirm the separation, with the i7-14701E scoring 33206 against 13061 for the Ultra 3, placing the former at the 83rd percentile of all CPUs and the latter at the 68th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-14701E wins every single recorded benchmark in this comparison, making the use-case split very one-sided. The data shows no workload category where the Core Ultra 3 105UL manages to take the lead. The i7-14701E dominates in multithreaded rendering workloads, as shown by its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 22195 against 8742, a 153.9% advantage. This makes it the clear choice for CPU-intensive tasks like 3D rendering, video encoding, and software compilation that scale across threads.

The Core Ultra 3 105UL, while losing every benchmark, does have its place in the data. Its 15W TDP is a defining feature, and the recorded scores are still functional for lighter workloads. For example, its Passmark single-thread score of 3382 is usable for basic desktop productivity, and its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 8742 is more than enough for everyday office tasks. The i7-14701E is the winner for performance-critical applications, while the Ultra 3 is positioned by its power envelope rather than by benchmark victories.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and use different process nodes. The i7-14701E is based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, and is built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The Core Ultra 3 105UL uses the Meteor Lake architecture, with the Meteor Lake-PS codename, on a 7 nm process. This node difference explains part of the power disparity, with the Ultra 3 drawing only 15W against 65W for the i7-14701E.

Core and thread counts are nominally similar at 8 cores each, but the thread counts differ significantly. The i7-14701E supports 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL supports only 10 threads. Cache layouts also differ. The i7-14701E features 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with a large 33 MB shared L3 cache. The Ultra 3 has a larger 112 KB L1 per core and the same 2 MB L2 per core, but its shared L3 cache is only 10 MB. The smaller L3 and reduced thread count directly impact the Ultra 3's multithreaded performance.

Memory support differs as well. The i7-14701E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL supports DDR5, with the specific type depending on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Ultra 3 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a figure not listed for the i7-14701E. The i7-14701E supports ECC memory, while the Ultra 3 does not. PCIe capabilities are split: the i7-14701E offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 3 offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ, with the i7-14701E using UHD Graphics 770 and the Ultra 3 using Arc Xe-LPG 48EU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest deltas appear in compute-heavy synthetic tests. The Passmark find prime numbers test shows the i7-14701E scoring 176 against 44, a 300% difference, the biggest margin in the entire dataset. The Passmark extended instructions test shows a 228.9% gap, with scores of 18528 versus 5634. Passmark physics follows closely with a 234.1% delta, 2399 versus 718. These three tests highlight the i7-14701E's strength in integer-heavy and instruction-heavy workloads.

The data compression test also shows a massive gap. The i7-14701E scores 282939 against 93961, a 201.1% difference. Random string sorting shows a 160.8% delta, 29158 versus 11179. The floating-point math test shows a 101.2% advantage, 61873 versus 30750, while integer math is closer at 97.5% ahead, 81325 versus 41171.

Cinebench results are remarkably consistent across versions. The R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests all show exactly a 153.9% delta, with scores of 2237 versus 881, 9321 versus 3671, and 22195 versus 8742, respectively. Single-core Cinebench tests show the same 153.9% or 154% delta, with R23 single-core at 3133 versus 1234. The Passmark multithread test also shows 153.9%, 26112 versus 10285.

The most balanced result in the entire comparison is the Passmark single-thread test. The i7-14701E scores 4305 against 3382, a 27.3% advantage. This is the smallest delta recorded, showing that the Ultra 3's single-core performance is its most competitive area, even though it still loses. Data encryption shows a 133.9% delta, 14862 versus 6354.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701E has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL support ECC memory?

A: No, the Core Ultra 3 105UL does not support ECC memory. The i7-14701E does support ECC memory.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two CPUs?

A: The i7-14701E has a TDP of 65W, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL has a TDP of 15W, a difference of 50W.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The i7-14701E has a shared L3 cache of 33 MB, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL has a shared L3 cache of 10 MB.

Q: What are the single-thread benchmark scores?

A: In the Passmark single-thread test, the i7-14701E scores 4305 and the Core Ultra 3 105UL scores 3382, a 27.3% difference. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-14701E scores 3133 and the Ultra 3 scores 1234.

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

A: The i7-14701E has an average benchmark score of 33206, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL has an average benchmark score of 13061.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i7-14701E is the superior processor for any performance-focused build. It wins all 17 head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 27.3% in single-thread to 300% in prime number finding. Its 16 threads, 33 MB L3 cache, and 5.40 GHz boost clock deliver results that place it at the 83rd percentile of all CPUs. This is the part to choose for rendering, compiling, physics simulation, or any workload that benefits from high multithreaded throughput.

The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL should be selected only when the 15W TDP is the primary constraint. Its 68th percentile ranking and 13061 average score place it in the same performance class as older mainstream processors, as shown by its nearest rivals, which include the Intel Core i5-9400F and the Intel Core i7-7700K. It loses every benchmark, but its low power draw and Arc Xe-LPG 48EU integrated graphics make it suitable for compact, low-power desktop systems where performance is secondary. The launch MSRP is $295.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-14701E | Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL |

|---|---|---|

| Series | Core 14th Gen | Core Ultra Series 1 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Meteor Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Meteor Lake-PS |

| Generation | Core i7 (Raptor Lake Refresh) | Ultra 3 (Meteor Lake-PS) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | Intel |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | Not listed |

| Cores | 8 | 8 |

| Threads | 16 | 10 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 112 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 33 MB (shared) | 10 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, depends on motherboard |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc Xe-LPG 48EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | Active |

| Release Date | 2024-06-30 | 2024-04-07 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $295 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

| Part Number | Q49FSRNJK | SRN9D |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 83 | 68 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 33206 | 13061 |