Intel Core i7-14701E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX Comparison

The Intel Core i7-14701E and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX occupy different corners of the processor market, yet their benchmark data places them on a direct collision course. The i7-14701E is a desktop part built on the Raptor Lake architecture, while the 235HX is a mobile processor from the Arrow Lake generation. The recorded measurements show a clear hierarchy, with the Ultra 5 winning every single head-to-head test in the database. The margin varies widely depending on the workload, from a narrow gap in single-threaded tasks to a commanding lead in encryption and floating-point math. The data does not show a single category where the i7-14701E pulls ahead.

The Verdict

The database records 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons between these two processors, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX wins all 17. The i7-14701E records zero wins. The average benchmark score for the Ultra 5 is 52073, compared to 33206 for the i7-14701E. This places the Ultra 5 in the 91st percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the i7-14701E sits in the 83rd percentile.

The Ultra 5 also lands in a different performance class when compared to its nearest rivals. Its average score of 52073 puts it within 0.1% of the AMD EPYC 8124P, 0.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X, and 0.7% ahead of the Intel Core i9-13900F. The i7-14701E, by contrast, sits within a tight cluster around the 33200 mark, trading blows with the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H, the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS, and the AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX. The performance gap between the two processors is not marginal; it is a structural difference in capability.

The choice between these two comes down to platform and form factor. The i7-14701E is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700 with a 65 W TDP, while the Ultra 5 is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2114 with a 55 W TDP. The Ultra 5 delivers substantially higher performance in every measured test while consuming less power on paper. The i7-14701E retains advantages in memory flexibility, supporting both DDR4 and DDR5, and in ECC memory support. It also uses the familiar LGA 1700 socket, which may matter for existing desktop builds. The data, however, is unambiguous about raw performance: the Ultra 5 is the stronger processor.

Where Each One Wins

The Ultra 5 wins everywhere in the recorded data, but the size of the win reveals where its architecture excels. The largest margins appear in passmark data encryption, where the Ultra 5 scores 32697 against 14862, a 54.5% lead. Floating-point math shows a 52.3% advantage, with 129819 against 61873. Prime number finding favors the Ultra 5 by 51.2%, scoring 361 versus 176. Extended instructions show a 46.8% gap, and random string sorting shows a 42.7% gap.

The smallest lead for the Ultra 5 is in passmark physics, where it scores 2550 against 2399, a 5.9% margin. Single-thread performance is also relatively close, with the Ultra 5 at 4683 against 4305, an 8.1% lead. Integer math shows a 16.3% advantage for the Ultra 5, scoring 97177 against 81325.

The i7-14701E has no winning categories in the database. Its closest relative performance comes in physics and single-threaded tests, where the gap narrows to single digits or low double digits. This suggests that in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive workloads, the i7-14701E is competitive. But in any workload that scales with cores, threads, or vector instructions, the Ultra 5 pulls away decisively.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and different foundries. The i7-14701E uses Raptor Lake, built on Intel's 10 nm process, and carries the Raptor Lake-R codename. The Ultra 5 uses Arrow Lake, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC, with the Arrow Lake-HX codename. The Ultra 5 packs 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the i7-14701E lists a 257 mm² die size with no transistor count in the database.

Core counts differ substantially. The i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads, indicating hyper-threading support. The Ultra 5 has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning it does not use hyper-threading but relies on a higher physical core count. The Ultra 5 also has larger per-core caches: 192 KB of L1 per core versus 80 KB, and 3 MB of L2 per core versus 2 MB. The shared L3 cache, however, favors the i7-14701E at 33 MB, compared to 24 MB on the Ultra 5.

Clock speeds tell a mixed story. The i7-14701E has a higher boost clock at 5.40 GHz, compared to 5.10 GHz on the Ultra 5. The Ultra 5 has a higher base clock at 2.90 GHz versus 2.60 GHz. The i7-14701E also has a higher TDP at 65 W versus 55 W, which is notable given that the desktop part is slower in every benchmark.

Memory support differs as well. The i7-14701E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 supports DDR5 only. The Ultra 5 lists a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the i7-14701E has no bandwidth figure in the database. ECC memory is supported on the i7-14701E but not on the Ultra 5.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The i7-14701E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Ultra 5 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics differ: the i7-14701E uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 5 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU.

The Ultra 5 has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-14701E does not. The Ultra 5 is also newer, with a release date in January 2025, compared to June 2024 for the i7-14701E.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX is faster in every multi-core test in the database. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 34731 against 22195 for the i7-14701E, a 36.1% advantage. PassMark multi-thread shows 40849 versus 26112, also a 36.1% gap.

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

A: The Ultra 5 leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with 4903 against 3133, a 36.1% margin. In PassMark single-thread, the lead is smaller at 4683 versus 4305, an 8.1% gap.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701E supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX does not.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The i7-14701E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Ultra 5 supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Ultra 5 has 14 cores and 14 threads. The i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads. The i7-14701E uses hyper-threading, while the Ultra 5 does not.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: The Ultra 5 has larger per-core caches, with 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2 per core, versus 80 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 on the i7-14701E. The i7-14701E has a larger shared L3 cache at 33 MB, compared to 24 MB on the Ultra 5.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ultra 5 scores 3500 against 2237, a 36.1% lead. Single-core in R15 shows 494 against 315, a 36.2% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 14587 against 9321, again a 36.1% gap. Single-core in R20 shows 2059 against 1315, a 36.1% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 34731 against 22195, a 36.1% gap, and single-core shows 4903 against 3133, a 36.1% gap. The consistency of the 36.1% figure across all Cinebench versions suggests a uniform architectural advantage rather than workload-specific behavior.

The PassMark suite reveals where the Ultra 5's architecture pulls further ahead. Data encryption shows the largest gap at 54.5%, with the Ultra 5 scoring 32697 against 14862. Floating-point math shows a 52.3% gap, with 129819 against 61873. Prime number finding shows a 51.2% gap, with 361 against 176. Extended instructions show a 46.8% gap, with 34808 against 18528. Random string sorting shows a 42.7% gap, with 50929 against 29158. Data compression shows a 33.6% gap, with 426417 against 282939. Multi-thread shows a 36.1% gap, with 40849 against 26112.

The narrowest margins appear in physics and single-threaded tests. PassMark physics shows 2550 against 2399, a 5.9% gap. PassMark single-thread shows 4683 against 4305, an 8.1% gap. Integer math shows 97177 against 81325, a 16.3% gap. These results indicate that the Ultra 5 is not just faster in parallel workloads; it also holds an edge in everyday single-threaded tasks, though the margin narrows considerably.

The i7-14701E's nearest rivals give context to its standing. It sits at 0.1% below the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS, 0.3% above the AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX, and 0.4% above the Intel Core i7-13650HX. The Ultra 5, by contrast, sits 0.1% below the AMD EPYC 8124P, 0.2% above the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X, and 0.7% above the Intel Core i9-13900F. The Ultra 5 competes with high-end desktop processors from the previous generation, while the i7-14701E competes with mid-range mobile and desktop parts.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across most specification fields. The i7-14701E is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2114. The i7-14701E belongs to the Core 14th Gen series with Raptor Lake architecture, while the Ultra 5 belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 with Arrow Lake architecture.

The i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 5 has 14 cores and 14 threads. Base clocks are 2.60 GHz for the i7-14701E and 2.90 GHz for the Ultra 5. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz for the i7-14701E and 5.10 GHz for the Ultra 5. TDP is 65 W for the i7-14701E and 55 W for the Ultra 5.

Process node differs significantly: 10 nm for the i7-14701E, 3 nm for the Ultra 5. The foundry is Intel for the i7-14701E and TSMC for the Ultra 5. The Ultra 5 lists 17,800 million transistors, while the i7-14701E has no transistor count. Die sizes are 257 mm² for the i7-14701E and 243 mm² for the Ultra 5.

Cache layouts differ. L1 is 80 KB per core on the i7-14701E versus 192 KB per core on the Ultra 5. L2 is 2 MB per core versus 3 MB per core. L3 is 33 MB shared versus 24 MB shared.

Memory support: the i7-14701E supports DDR4 and DDR5; the Ultra 5 supports DDR5 only. The Ultra 5 lists 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth; the i7-14701E has no bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported on the i7-14701E but not on the Ultra 5.

PCIe lanes from the CPU are 16 on the i7-14701E and 20 on the Ultra 5, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 on the i7-14701E and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU on the Ultra 5. The Ultra 5 has an unlocked multiplier; the i7-14701E does not. Release dates are June 2024 for the i7-14701E and January 2025 for the Ultra 5. Both processors are listed as Active in production status.