Intel Core i7-14701E vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, which wins 16 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons. The Core i7-14701E manages only a single win, but that win is significant in the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where it scores 3133 against 2439, a 28.5% advantage. This indicates the older architecture holds a notable edge in lightly threaded legacy workloads that rely on specific instruction paths.

Every multi-threaded benchmark strongly favors the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra 7 scores 44253 versus 22195, a 49.8% lead. The gap widens in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Ultra 7 delivers 24461 against 9321, a 61.9% margin. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows an even larger difference: 6656 versus 2237, a 66.4% deficit for the i7-14701E. These results indicate the Ultra 7's core count and thread scheduling provide a substantial throughput advantage in rendering and compute-heavy tasks.

The PassMark suite reinforces this pattern across diverse workloads. Data compression shows the Ultra 7 at 804322 versus 282939, a 64.8% lead. Data encryption favors the Ultra 7 even more heavily: 59097 versus 14862, a 74.9% margin, the largest single delta in the entire comparison. Extended instructions score 63506 for the Ultra 7 against 18528, a 70.8% advantage. Floating point math shows 229491 versus 61873, a 73% lead, while integer math delivers 175986 versus 81325, a 53.8% difference. Prime number finding scores 615 versus 176, a 71.4% gap. Random string sorting completes at 96945 versus 29158, a 69.9% margin.

Single-threaded PassMark results are closer but still favor the Ultra 7. The passmark_single_thread test shows 5068 versus 4305, a 15.1% lead. The identical passmark_singlethread score confirms consistency. The physics test shows a 41% advantage for the Ultra 7, scoring 4064 against 2399. The multithread PassMark score of 68574 versus 26112 represents a 61.9% lead, matching the Cinebench R20 multi-core delta exactly.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design generations. The Intel Core i7-14701E uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. It belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, with a Core i7 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation label. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, built on a 3 nm process node at TSMC, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 with an Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake) generation label.

Core counts differ dramatically. The i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads, indicating hyperthreading support. The Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, showing a fully thread-per-core design without hyperthreading. This structural difference explains the multi-threaded performance gap. The Ultra 7 also carries 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the i7-14701E lists no transistor count but has a 257 mm² die size.

Cache topology differs substantially. The i7-14701E provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 270K Plus offers 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the Ultra 7 support its higher core count and improve data locality.

Clock speeds and power envelopes are distinct. The i7-14701E has a 2.60 GHz base clock and 5.40 GHz boost clock, with a 65 TDP. The Ultra 7 270K Plus runs at 3.70 GHz base and 5.50 GHz boost, with a 125 TDP. The higher base clock on the Ultra 7 contributes to its single-threaded PassMark lead, while the higher TDP reflects the additional cores and the power required to sustain them.

Memory and platform support also differ. The i7-14701E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, with ECC support enabled. The Ultra 7 270K Plus supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, with a listed memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s and ECC support. PCIe connectivity improves on the newer platform: the i7-14701E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 270K Plus provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-14701E uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus uses Arc XE-LPG Graphics 64EU. The sockets are incompatible: the i7-14701E uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Ultra 7 270K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851. The Ultra 7 is multiplier unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the i7-14701E is locked. Release dates are separated by roughly two years: the i7-14701E launched on 2024-06-30, and the Ultra 7 270K Plus on 2026-03-10.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is the superior processor for essentially all measured workloads. Its 24 cores and 24 threads, combined with the 3 nm TSMC process, deliver commanding leads in every multi-threaded test. The average benchmark score of 93785 places it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-14701E averages 33206 and sits in the 83rd percentile. The nearest rivals for the Ultra 7 include server-class parts like the Intel Xeon 6520P (delta 0%) and AMD EPYC 4564P (delta -1.5%), which indicates its performance class rivals workstation and server processors.

The i7-14701E's single Cinebench R23 single-core win (28.5% ahead) suggests it retains an advantage in specific single-threaded legacy rendering scenarios. However, the Ultra 7 wins the PassMark single-thread test by 15.1%, which shows the newer architecture generally handles single-threaded workloads better outside that one Cinebench variant. The i7-14701E also offers a lower 65 TDP, which may be relevant for power-constrained systems, and supports DDR4 memory, which could ease upgrades from older platforms.

The Ultra 7 270K Plus is the clear choice for anyone prioritizing raw performance across rendering, encryption, compression, math, and general multithreaded throughput. Its 96th percentile ranking and proximity to EPYC and Xeon parts in the nearest rivals list confirm its high-end positioning. The i7-14701E remains a capable desktop processor for users who need the specific Cinebench R23 single-core behavior or who require the lower power envelope and DDR4 compatibility.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins all multi-core benchmarks. It leads by 49.8% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (44253 vs 22195), 61.9% in Cinebench R20 multi-core (24461 vs 9321), and 66.4% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (6656 vs 2237).

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

A: Yes, it wins exactly one comparison: Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 3133 against 2439 for the Ultra 7, a 28.5% advantage.

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

A: The Ultra 7 270K Plus wins the PassMark single-thread test with 5068 versus 4305, a 15.1% lead. The i7-14701E only wins the Cinebench R23 single-core variant.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration for each processor?

A: The i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What are the process nodes for these CPUs?

A: The i7-14701E uses Intel's 10 nm process node. The Ultra 7 270K Plus uses TSMC's 3 nm process node.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score and percentile ranking?

A: The Ultra 7 270K Plus has an average benchmark score of 93785 and ranks in the 96th percentile. The i7-14701E has an average score of 33206 and ranks in the 83rd percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins across the vast majority of measured workloads. Its largest margins come in data encryption (74.9% lead), floating point math (73% lead), and extended instructions (70.8% lead). These results indicate the Ultra 7 excels in security-related tasks, scientific computing, and workloads using modern instruction sets. Data compression shows a 64.8% advantage, random string sorting a 69.9% lead, and prime number finding a 71.4% margin. The physics test shows a 41% lead, and multithreaded performance leads by 61.9%.

The Intel Core i7-14701E wins only in Cinebench R23 single-core, with a 28.5% advantage. This specific test appears to favor the older Raptor Lake architecture's single-core execution path, possibly due to higher sustained boost behavior in that workload. The i7-14701E also offers a substantially lower TDP (65 versus 125), which is not a benchmark score but indicates lower power draw. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the Ultra 7 supports only DDR5, which may matter for system compatibility.

For users running mixed workloads, the Ultra 7's dominance in every multi-threaded test and most single-threaded tests makes it the safer choice. The i7-14701E's single win is narrow in scope, covering only one specific Cinebench version. The data does not indicate any other workload where the i7-14701E approaches the Ultra 7's performance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every tracked specification. The i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 2.60 GHz versus 3.70 GHz, and boost clocks are 5.40 GHz versus 5.50 GHz. TDP is 65 for the i7-14701E and 125 for the Ultra 7.

Sockets are incompatible: the i7-14701E uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Ultra 7 uses Intel Socket 1851. The process nodes differ (10 nm Intel versus 3 nm TSMC), and the foundries differ (Intel versus TSMC). Transistor counts list 17,800 million for the Ultra 7; the i7-14701E has no recorded transistor count. Die sizes are 257 mm² for the i7-14701E and 243 mm² for the Ultra 7.

Cache allocations differ at every level. The i7-14701E has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 33 MB shared L3. The Ultra 7 has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: the i7-14701E supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 supports only DDR5. Memory bandwidth is listed only for the Ultra 7 at 115.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory and dual-channel buses.

PCIe capabilities differ: the i7-14701E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ (UHD Graphics 770 versus Arc XE-LPG Graphics 64EU). The multiplier is locked on the i7-14701E and unlocked on the Ultra 7. Release dates are 2024-06-30 for the i7-14701E and 2026-03-10 for the Ultra 7. The Ultra 7 has a launch MSRP of $299; the i7-14701E has no recorded launch MSRP. Part numbers are Q49FSRNJK for the i7-14701E and SA4V6 for the Ultra 7.