Intel Core i7-14701E vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a strikingly one-sided comparison. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i7-14701E captures only a single victory. The magnitude of the Ultra 7's wins varies dramatically across workloads, revealing where each architecture holds an advantage.

The most lopsided result appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Ultra 7 255HX scores 2426 against the i7-14701E's 1315, a 45.8% advantage. This is surprising given that the i7-14701E has a higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz compared to 5.20 GHz on the Ultra 7. The data indicates the Arrow Lake architecture delivers substantially more instructions per clock in this test. The same 45.8% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with the Ultra 7 scoring 17187 versus 9321, suggesting the single-core efficiency gain scales directly into multi-threaded rendering.

Cinebench R15 multi-core shows the Ultra 7 at 4916 versus 2237, a 54.5% lead, the largest delta in the entire dataset. This aligns with the core count disparity: 20 cores versus 8 cores. However, Cinebench R15 single-core tells a different story, with the Ultra 7 only 3.7% ahead (327 versus 315). The R23 single-core test flips the result entirely, with the i7-14701E winning 3133 to 2163, a 44.8% margin in favor of the older chip. This inconsistency across Cinebench versions suggests the two processors respond differently to the specific rendering workloads, possibly due to thermal management or instruction scheduling.

PassMark results reinforce the Ultra 7's dominance in compute-heavy tasks. Data encryption shows the largest gap at 62.4%, with the Ultra 7 scoring 39499 versus 14862. Floating point math follows at 61.5% (160624 versus 61873), then extended instructions at 55.1% (41247 versus 18528). Prime number finding delivers a 56% advantage (400 versus 176), and random string sorting shows 53.4% (62591 versus 29158). These results indicate the Ultra 7's wider core configuration and newer process node provide substantial throughput advantages in parallel integer and floating-point operations.

Data compression favors the Ultra 7 by 45.1% (515143 versus 282939), while integer math shows a 36% gap (127126 versus 81325). The multithread PassMark score lands at 48234 versus 26112, a 45.9% difference. Physics simulation shows a smaller 18% gap (2926 versus 2399), indicating that this particular workload benefits less from the additional cores. Single-thread PassMark results show the Ultra 7 ahead by only 5.6% (4562 versus 4305), a modest margin compared to the multi-core deltas.

The i7-14701E's sole victory in Cinebench R23 single-core at 44.8% ahead is notable, but it stands as an outlier against an otherwise consistent pattern. The data suggests that for most workloads, the Ultra 7 255HX delivers between 18% and 62% higher performance, with the largest gains in encryption, floating-point math, and multi-core rendering.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX scores 32612 compared to the Intel Core i7-14701E's 22195, a 31.9% advantage for the Ultra 7.

Q: Is the i7-14701E faster in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the i7-14701E wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 3133 versus 2163, a 44.8% margin. This is its only victory across all 17 recorded head-to-head tests.

Q: How large is the performance gap in data encryption?

A: The Ultra 7 255HX scores 39499 in PassMark data encryption, while the i7-14701E scores 14862. The Ultra 7 leads by 62.4%, the largest delta in the dataset.

Q: What do the average benchmark scores indicate?

A: The i7-14701E has an average benchmark score of 33206, placing it in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs. The Ultra 7 255HX averages 62738, placing it in the 93rd percentile. The Ultra 7's average is roughly 89% higher.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded PassMark?

A: The Ultra 7 255HX scores 4562 in PassMark single-thread, while the i7-14701E scores 4305. The Ultra 7 leads by 5.6%, a much smaller margin than the multi-core differences.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-14701E has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the Ultra 7 255HX boosts to 5.20 GHz. Despite the lower boost clock, the Ultra 7 wins most single-threaded tests.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX dominates across nearly every measured workload. Its 20 cores and 20 threads provide substantial advantages in multi-threaded rendering, as shown by Cinebench R15 multi-core (4916 versus 2237), R20 multi-core (17187 versus 9321), and R23 multi-core (32612 versus 22195). The data indicates this processor is better suited for video rendering, 3D modeling, and any workload that scales with core count.

PassMark results further define the Ultra 7's strengths. Data compression, encryption, extended instructions, and floating-point math all show advantages between 36% and 62.4%. These workloads benefit from the combination of more cores and the newer 3 nm process node from TSMC. The Ultra 7 also leads in random string sorting by 53.4%, indicating strong memory subsystem performance. Physics simulation shows a smaller 18% advantage, suggesting this workload is less dependent on raw core count.

The i7-14701E's sole win in Cinebench R23 single-core (3133 versus 2163) points to a specific advantage in lightly threaded rendering tasks. The higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz likely contributes to this result. However, this single victory does not indicate general single-thread superiority, as the Ultra 7 wins Cinebench R15 single-core, R20 single-core, and PassMark single-thread tests. The i7-14701E also has ECC memory support, which the Ultra 7 lacks, making it a candidate for systems requiring error-correcting memory.

For users prioritizing multi-core throughput, the Ultra 7 255HX is the clear choice based on the recorded data. For workloads that specifically rely on Cinebench R23 single-core performance, the i7-14701E offers a measurable advantage. The 83rd versus 93rd percentile ranking reinforces the Ultra 7's overall higher standing in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification. The i7-14701E features 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ultra 7 255HX offers 20 cores and 20 threads. This core count difference directly explains the multi-core benchmark gaps.

Clock speeds show the i7-14701E with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and boost of 5.40 GHz. The Ultra 7 255HX has a lower base clock of 2.40 GHz and boost of 5.20 GHz. Despite the lower clocks, the Ultra 7 achieves higher scores in most tests, indicating architectural efficiency gains outweigh the clock disadvantage.

Thermal design power differs, with the i7-14701E rated at 65 watts and the Ultra 7 255HX at 55 watts. The lower TDP of the Ultra 7, combined with higher performance, suggests better energy efficiency per watt. Socket compatibility also diverges: the i7-14701E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 7 255HX uses Intel BGA 2114. This indicates the two processors target different platforms, desktop versus mobile.

Memory support varies significantly. The i7-14701E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 7 255HX supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Ultra 7 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the i7-14701E has no bandwidth figure in the data. ECC memory support exists only on the i7-14701E.

PCIe lane counts differ, with the i7-14701E providing 16 CPU-only Gen 5 lanes and the Ultra 7 255HX offering 20 Gen 5 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: the i7-14701E uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 7 255HX uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Ultra 7 has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-14701E does not.

Architecture Differences

The i7-14701E belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, built on Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename. It uses a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. The die size measures 257 mm². Cache organization includes 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 33 MB shared L3.

The Ultra 7 255HX belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, built on Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-HX codename. It uses a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC, a significant manufacturing difference. The die contains 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. Cache organization shows 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3.

These architectural differences explain the performance patterns. The 3 nm node from TSMC enables higher transistor density and improved power efficiency compared to the 10 nm Intel node. The Arrow Lake design also allocates more cache per core, with 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 versus 80 KB and 2 MB on Raptor Lake. The i7-14701E compensates with a larger shared L3 cache at 33 MB versus 30 MB.

Release dates differ by roughly six months, with the i7-14701E releasing on 2024-06-30 and the Ultra 7 255HX on 2025-01-12. The newer Arrow Lake architecture incorporates the manufacturing and design improvements that drive its benchmark advantages. The production status for both is listed as Active.

The Verdict

The recorded data makes the performance hierarchy clear. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins 16 of 17 head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 3.7% in Cinebench R15 single-core to 62.4% in PassMark data encryption. Its 93rd percentile ranking versus the i7-14701E's 83rd percentile confirms the overall performance gap.

Users should select the Ultra 7 255HX for workloads that demand multi-core throughput, encryption, floating-point math, or data compression. The 20-core configuration delivers substantial advantages in rendering and parallel compute tasks. Its lower TDP of 55 watts, despite higher performance, suggests better efficiency for sustained workloads.

The i7-14701E serves a narrower purpose based on the data. Its Cinebench R23 single-core victory at 44.8% ahead stands as the primary reason to choose it. The ECC memory support provides a functional advantage for error-sensitive applications. The desktop socket and DDR4 compatibility offer platform flexibility that the mobile BGA 2114 socket cannot match.

The benchmark results indicate the Ultra 7 255HX is the stronger processor overall, but the i7-14701E retains specific advantages in single-threaded R23 rendering and memory reliability features. Each processor wins where its architecture aligns with the workload demands.