Intel Core i7-14701E vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX has 20 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 7 does not use Hyper-Threading, so its thread count equals its core count.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: Across Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 7 265HX scores 40,642 versus 22,195 for the Core i7-14701E, a 45.4% advantage. The gap is similar in Cinebench R20 multi-core (17,069 vs 9,321) and R15 multi-core (4,096 vs 2,237).

Q: Does the Core i7-14701E win any benchmark in the database?

A: No. Out of 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Core Ultra 7 265HX wins all 17. The Core i7-14701E records zero wins.

Q: What is the difference in single-thread performance?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265HX leads by 45.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core (578 vs 315) and by 45.4% in Cinebench R23 single-core (5,737 vs 3,133). In PassMark single-thread, the lead shrinks to 4.3% (4,500 vs 4,305).

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701E supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the process nodes and foundries for each chip?

A: The Core i7-14701E uses Intel's 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 7 265HX uses TSMC's 3 nm process. The Ultra 7 also has a transistor count of 17,800 million, while the i7-14701E has no listed transistor count.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct architectural generations from Intel. The Core i7-14701E is based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, and belongs to the Core 14th Gen family. The Core Ultra 7 265HX is built on Arrow Lake, specifically the Arrow Lake-HX variant, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2.

The process technology differs substantially. The Core i7-14701E is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm node with a die size of 257 mm². The Core Ultra 7 265HX uses TSMC's 3 nm node with a die size of 243 mm² and a transistor count of 17,800 million. The smaller process node allows the Ultra 7 to pack 20 cores into a slightly smaller die.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core i7-14701E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 265HX has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. While the L3 is smaller on the Ultra 7, the larger per-core L1 and L2 caches contribute to its performance advantage.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core i7-14701E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus. The Core Ultra 7 265HX supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but with a listed memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The i7-14701E supports ECC memory; the Ultra 7 does not.

PCIe connectivity differs. The Core i7-14701E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core Ultra 7 265HX provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also change: the i7-14701E uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 7 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

The Core i7-14701E is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 7 265HX is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2114. The Ultra 7 has an unlocked multiplier; the i7-14701E does not. Release dates differ by roughly half a year: the i7-14701E launched in June 2024, the Ultra 7 265HX in January 2025.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Core Ultra 7 265HX wins every recorded comparison. This includes all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both single-core and multi-core, plus all nine PassMark tests. The Core i7-14701E has zero wins across the 17 head-to-head benchmarks.

The largest advantages for the Ultra 7 appear in data encryption (62.3% ahead), floating-point math (61.7% ahead), and prime number finding (56.7% ahead). These workloads benefit from the Ultra 7's 20 cores and newer architecture. The smallest advantage is in PassMark single-thread (4.3%), where the i7-14701E's 5.40 GHz boost clock nearly matches the Ultra 7's 5.30 GHz boost clock.

For desktop users who need ECC memory support, the Core i7-14701E has a unique advantage. The database shows no ECC support on the Core Ultra 7 265HX, which makes the i7-14701E the only option for error-correcting memory configurations among the two.

The Core i7-14701E also fits into a desktop platform with Socket 1700, which allows for standard desktop motherboards. The Core Ultra 7 265HX uses BGA 2114, a soldered mobile package, meaning it is intended for laptops and mobile workstations rather than custom desktop builds.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-14701E | Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX |

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

| Cores | 8 | 20 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Arrow Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 33 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Support | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2024-06-30 | 2025-01-12 |

Base clock is identical at 2.60 GHz for both processors. Memory bus is dual-channel for both. Both have active production status. Neither has a listed launch MSRP in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 7 265HX dominates every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 40,642 against 22,195 for the i7-14701E, a 45.4% delta. The R23 single-core result is equally decisive: 5,737 versus 3,133, also 45.4% ahead.

Cinebench R20 shows the same pattern. Multi-core: 17,069 versus 9,321 (45.4% delta). Single-core: 2,409 versus 1,315 (45.4% delta). Cinebench R15 follows: multi-core 4,096 versus 2,237 (45.4% delta), single-core 578 versus 315 (45.5% delta).

PassMark results reveal where the Ultra 7's core count matters most. Data encryption shows the largest gap: 39,472 versus 14,862, a 62.3% delta. Floating-point math also shows a massive gap: 161,605 versus 61,873, a 61.7% delta. Prime number finding: 406 versus 176, a 56.7% delta.

Extended instructions: 40,741 versus 18,528, a 54.5% delta. Random string sorting: 62,458 versus 29,158, a 53.3% delta. Data compression: 511,817 versus 282,939, a 44.7% delta. Multi-threaded PassMark: 47,985 versus 26,112, a 45.6% delta.

Integer math shows a smaller but still substantial gap: 126,954 versus 81,325, a 35.9% delta. Physics shows the smallest multi-core gap: 2,978 versus 2,399, a 19.4% delta. PassMark single-thread is the closest result of all: 4,500 versus 4,305, a 4.3% delta.

The average benchmark score tells the overall story. The Core Ultra 7 265HX averages 63,173, while the Core i7-14701E averages 33,206. The Ultra 7 sits at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-14701E sits at the 83rd percentile.

The Verdict

The data points to one clear conclusion: the Core Ultra 7 265HX is the superior processor in every benchmark category recorded. Its 20 cores, 3 nm process, and newer Arrow Lake architecture deliver a 45.4% advantage across Cinebench multi-core tests and up to 62.3% in PassMark encryption workloads. The percentile ranking confirms this: 93rd versus 83rd.

For users prioritizing raw performance in rendering, encryption, floating-point math, or any multi-threaded workload, the Core Ultra 7 265HX is the only choice based on the recorded measurements. It wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons, making the decision straightforward.

The Core i7-14701E retains a specific role for desktop users who require ECC memory support. The database indicates ECC support on the i7-14701E and no ECC support on the Ultra 7. For workstation or server-like desktop builds where memory error correction is mandatory, the i7-14701E is the relevant option despite its lower performance.

The i7-14701E also offers a higher boost clock (5.40 GHz versus 5.30 GHz) and a lower TDP (65 W versus 55 W on the Ultra 7). However, the benchmark results show that the single-thread performance advantage of the i7-14701E is minimal: it trails by 4.3% in PassMark single-thread, despite its higher boost frequency.

The Core Ultra 7 265HX is a mobile processor on BGA 2114, so it targets laptops and mobile workstations. The Core i7-14701E targets desktop systems on Socket 1700. The platform difference matters more than raw performance for users with a fixed system type. For desktop users who do not need ECC, the Ultra 7's performance lead is decisive, but the socket incompatibility means the choice is typically dictated by the platform first.