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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, which wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The only exception is Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel Core i7-14701E takes a narrow win. The magnitude of the Core Ultra 7 265K's wins is substantial across nearly every workload category.

In multi-threaded rendering, the Core Ultra 7 265K posts a Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 5020 versus 2237 for the i7-14701E, a 55.4% advantage. The gap persists in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with the Core Ultra 7 265K scoring 20918 against 9321, again a 55.4% delta. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the lead narrows somewhat to 38.1%, with scores of 35850 and 22195 respectively. The PassMark multi-thread test shows a similar pattern: 58594 for the Core Ultra 7 265K against 26112, a 55.4% difference.

Single-threaded performance tells a more complex story. The Core Ultra 7 265K wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 708 versus 315, a 55.5% margin, and Cinebench R20 single-core with 2953 versus 1315, also a 55.5% delta. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-14701E reverses the trend, scoring 3133 against 2020, a 55.1% advantage for the older chip. In PassMark single-thread, the Core Ultra 7 265K still leads, with 4928 against 4305, a 12.6% difference.

Data compression and encryption workloads show the Core Ultra 7 265K's dominance most clearly. In PassMark data compression, it scores 665554 versus 282939, a 57.5% lead. Data encryption shows an even larger gap: 48246 versus 14862, a 69.2% advantage. Extended instruction testing results in a 65.9% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265K, with scores of 54333 versus 18528.

Floating-point math performance heavily favors the Core Ultra 7 265K, which scores 189629 against 61873, a 67.4% margin. Integer math shows a 43.2% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265K, with 143242 versus 81325. Prime number finding demonstrates a 64.2% advantage, with 491 versus 176. Random string sorting gives the Core Ultra 7 265K a 63.4% lead, scoring 79752 against 29158. Physics simulation results in a 35.7% edge for the Core Ultra 7 265K, with 3731 versus 2399.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 7 265K dominates in every multi-threaded and heavily parallel workload category. The data shows it is substantially faster in rendering, data compression, encryption, extended instruction execution, floating-point math, integer math, prime number calculation, random string sorting, physics simulation, and multi-thread performance. Its 20 cores versus 8 cores, combined with a higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus 5.40 GHz, explains the consistent margins.

The i7-14701E's single win in Cinebench R23 single-core is notable. With a score of 3133 versus 2020, it delivers 55.1% higher performance in that specific test. This suggests the older Raptor Lake architecture retains an edge in some single-threaded rendering workloads, even though the Core Ultra 7 265K wins other single-thread tests like Cinebench R15, Cinebench R20, and PassMark single-thread. The i7-14701E also has a higher thread count relative to core count, with 16 threads from 8 cores, while the Core Ultra 7 265K has 20 threads from 20 cores, meaning no hyper-threading on the newer chip.

For use cases focused on Cinebench R23 single-core performance specifically, the i7-14701E is the better choice. For everything else, including all PassMark workloads and other Cinebench versions, the Core Ultra 7 265K is clearly superior. Applications that rely heavily on data compression, encryption, or floating-point math see the largest relative gains from the Core Ultra 7 265K.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K wins 16 of 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core i7-14701E wins only one, Cinebench R23 single-core.

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

A: The Core Ultra 7 265K leads by 55.4% in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core, 38.1% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 55.4% in PassMark multi-thread. Data encryption shows the largest gap at 69.2%.

Q: Does the i7-14701E win any single-threaded tests?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 3133 versus 2020, a 55.1% advantage. However, the Core Ultra 7 265K wins Cinebench R15 single-core, Cinebench R20 single-core, and PassMark single-thread.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Core Ultra 7 265K has 20 cores and 20 threads, meaning it does not use hyper-threading.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265K has an average benchmark score of 70879, while the i7-14701E has 33206. The Core Ultra 7 265K sits in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, the i7-14701E in the 83rd.

Q: What is the clock speed difference?

A: The i7-14701E has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Core Ultra 7 265K has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The i7-14701E uses 8 cores with 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 265K uses 20 cores with 20 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: 2.60 GHz for the i7-14701E versus 3.90 GHz for the Core Ultra 7 265K. Boost clocks are closer, at 5.40 GHz versus 5.50 GHz respectively. Thermal design power differs substantially, with the i7-14701E rated at 65 watts and the Core Ultra 7 265K at 125 watts.

The socket interface also differs, with the i7-14701E using Intel Socket 1700 and the Core Ultra 7 265K using Intel Socket 1851. Memory support differs: the i7-14701E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 7 265K supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Core Ultra 7 265K has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is recorded for the i7-14701E. Both support ECC memory. PCIe lane counts differ, with the i7-14701E offering 16 CPU-only lanes and the Core Ultra 7 265K offering 20.

The integrated graphics differ: the i7-14701E includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 7 265K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The multiplier is locked on the i7-14701E and unlocked on the Core Ultra 7 265K. Release dates differ by about four months, with the i7-14701E launching on June 30, 2024, and the Core Ultra 7 265K on October 23, 2024. The Core Ultra 7 265K has a recorded launch MSRP of $394. The i7-14701E has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different Intel architectures. The i7-14701E is based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, part of Core 14th Gen. The Core Ultra 7 265K uses the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-S, part of Core Ultra Series 2. The process nodes differ: the i7-14701E uses a 10 nm process fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 7 265K uses a 3 nm process fabricated by TSMC. The Core Ultra 7 265K has a transistor count of 17,800 million, while no transistor count is recorded for the i7-14701E. Die sizes are similar, at 257 mm² for the i7-14701E and 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 7 265K.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The 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 265K has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the Core Ultra 7 265K reflect its newer design, while the i7-14701E has a slightly larger total L3 pool.

The core count difference is fundamental: the Core Ultra 7 265K has 20 physical cores with no hyper-threading, while the i7-14701E has 8 physical cores with hyper-threading yielding 16 threads. This architectural choice explains the large multi-threaded performance differences. The Core Ultra 7 265K also has a higher base clock, suggesting a different power delivery design despite the higher TDP. The foundry shift from Intel to TSMC for the process node represents a significant manufacturing change between generations.

The Verdict

The data strongly favors the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K for any workload that benefits from parallel processing. Its 20 cores deliver consistently higher scores across Cinebench multi-core tests, PassMark multi-thread, data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating-point math, integer math, prime number calculation, random string sorting, and physics simulation. The margins range from 35.7% in physics to 69.2% in data encryption, all in favor of the Core Ultra 7 265K. Its average benchmark score of 70879 places it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 83rd percentile for the i7-14701E.

The i7-14701E retains one specific advantage: Cinebench R23 single-core performance, where it outperforms the Core Ultra 7 265K by 55.1%. This makes it a reasonable choice for software that relies heavily on that exact benchmark's workload pattern. Its lower TDP of 65 watts also indicates lower power draw, though the data does not record actual power consumption figures. The i7-14701E also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering more flexibility for system builders with existing DDR4 modules, while the Core Ultra 7 265K requires DDR5.

For users prioritizing maximum multi-threaded throughput, the Core Ultra 7 265K is the clear selection. Its 20 cores, 5.50 GHz boost clock, and 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth deliver superior results in nearly every recorded test. The 125 watt TDP indicates a more power-hungry design, but the performance gains are substantial. For users whose primary application is the Cinebench R23 single-core test, the i7-14701E offers a specific advantage, though it loses all other single-thread comparisons. The overall benchmark record, with 16 wins for the Core Ultra 7 265K and 1 for the i7-14701E, leaves little ambiguity about which processor delivers higher performance in the database's measurements.