Intel Core i7-14701E vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX Comparison

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-14701E and Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX represent two distinct generations of Intel processor design. The i7-14701E belongs to the Core 14th Gen family, built on the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename. It uses a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel, with a die size of 257 mm². The Core Ultra 9 285HX, part of the Core Ultra Series 2, uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-HX codename. It is built on a 3 nm process node by TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors and a die size of 243 mm².

The core configurations differ substantially. The i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX has 24 cores and 24 threads. This means the i7-14701E uses hyper-threading to reach 16 threads from 8 physical cores, whereas the Core Ultra 9 285HX operates with one thread per core. The cache hierarchy also differs. The i7-14701E provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 9 285HX offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache.

Memory support separates the two as well. The i7-14701E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Core Ultra 9 285HX supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but the database records a memory bandwidth figure of 102.4 GB/s for the latter. Both processors support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i7-14701E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics differ significantly. The i7-14701E includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The market segments also differ, with the i7-14701E classified as a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, and the Core Ultra 9 285HX classified as a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2114. The base clock for the i7-14701E is 2.60 GHz with a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The i7-14701E has a TDP of 65, and the Core Ultra 9 285HX has a TDP of 55. The i7-14701E has a locked multiplier, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX has an unlocked multiplier. Release dates place the i7-14701E in June 2024 and the Core Ultra 9 285HX in January 2025.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a clear split between the two processors. The Core Ultra 9 285HX dominates the multicore and throughput-oriented workloads, while the i7-14701E claims a single victory in one specific test. Out of 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Core Ultra 9 285HX wins 16, and the i7-14701E wins 1.

The i7-14701E wins in Cinebench R23 single-core, which measures single-threaded rendering performance. This indicates an advantage for lightly threaded applications that depend on one core's peak performance. The database records this as the sole win for the i7-14701E.

The Core Ultra 9 285HX wins everywhere else. This includes all other Cinebench tests, both single-core and multicore variants, plus every PassMark workload in the database. The PassMark suite covers data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithreaded performance, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread performance. The breadth of these wins indicates that the Core Ultra 9 285HX delivers higher performance across diverse computational patterns, from memory-intensive sorting to arithmetic-heavy floating point work.

The percentile rankings reinforce this split. The i7-14701E sits at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX sits at the 95th percentile. The average benchmark score for the i7-14701E is 33,206, and for the Core Ultra 9 285HX it is 76,155. The nearest rivals for the i7-14701E include the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H with an average score of 33,201, the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS at 33,244, the AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX at 33,091, and the Intel Core i7-13650HX at 33,089. For the Core Ultra 9 285HX, the nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX at 76,212, the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P at 76,492, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX at 76,513, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D at 75,779. The delta percentages between the i7-14701E and its nearest rivals range from -0.1 to 0.4, and for the Core Ultra 9 285HX they range from -0.5 to 0.5, placing both processors in tight competition with their respective peers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin of victory for the Core Ultra 9 285HX appears in PassMark data encryption. The i7-14701E scores 14,862, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX scores 48,567, a delta of -69.4 percent for the i7-14701E. This indicates that the Core Ultra 9 285HX handles encryption workloads with substantially higher throughput, likely due to its larger core count and newer architecture.

PassMark floating point math shows a similar pattern. The i7-14701E records 61,873, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX records 194,998, a -68.3 percent delta. Floating point performance is critical for scientific computing, simulation, and some rendering workloads, so this gap carries practical weight. PassMark extended instructions also favor the Core Ultra 9 285HX heavily: 18,528 versus 49,148, a -62.3 percent delta.

Random string sorting provides another large win for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. The scores are 29,158 for the i7-14701E and 77,196 for the Core Ultra 9 285HX, a -62.2 percent delta. This workload stresses memory access patterns and integer operations, and the Core Ultra 9 285HX excels here. Prime number finding shows 176 versus 460, a -61.7 percent delta, again favoring the Core Ultra 9 285HX. Cinebench R15 multicore yields 2,237 versus 5,656.5, a -60.5 percent delta, and PassMark data compression gives 282,939 versus 631,885, a -55.2 percent delta.

The Cinebench R20 multicore test shows 9,321 versus 20,236, a -53.9 percent delta. PassMark multithread scores 26,112 versus 56,902, a -54.1 percent delta. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a -54 percent delta with scores of 1,315 versus 2,856. Cinebench R23 multicore records 22,195 versus 36,429.5, a -39.1 percent delta. PassMark physics shows 2,399 versus 3,476, a -31 percent delta.

The single-thread tests tell a closer story. PassMark single-thread scores 4,305 for the i7-14701E and 4,618 for the Core Ultra 9 285HX, a -6.8 percent delta. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 315 versus 323.5, a -2.6 percent delta. These narrow margins indicate that for lightly threaded tasks, the two processors perform similarly, with the Core Ultra 9 285HX holding a modest edge.

The one victory for the i7-14701E comes in Cinebench R23 single-core. The i7-14701E scores 3,133, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX scores 2,187.5, giving the i7-14701E a 43.2 percent lead. This is a substantial margin and indicates that the i7-14701E has a significant advantage in this specific single-threaded rendering benchmark. The higher boost clock of the i7-14701E at 5.40 GHz, combined with its desktop-oriented design and older architecture, may contribute to this result, though the database does not provide direct causal evidence.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Core Ultra 9 285HX uses a one-thread-per-core design, while the i7-14701E uses hyper-threading to double its thread count.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: The Core Ultra 9 285HX wins PassMark single-thread with 4,618 versus 4,305 for the i7-14701E, a -6.8 percent delta. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 323.5 versus 315, a -2.6 percent delta. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-14701E wins with 3,133 versus 2,187.5, a 43.2 percent lead.

Q: How do the TDP values compare?

A: The i7-14701E has a TDP of 65. The Core Ultra 9 285HX has a TDP of 55. The Core Ultra 9 285HX delivers higher multicore performance while maintaining a lower TDP figure in the database.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the i7-14701E supports DDR4 memory. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The Core Ultra 9 285HX supports only DDR5.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The i7-14701E uses a 10 nm process node from Intel. The Core Ultra 9 285HX uses a 3 nm process node from TSMC. The Core Ultra 9 285HX also has 17,800 million transistors, while the database does not record a transistor count for the i7-14701E.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The i7-14701E includes UHD Graphics 770. The Core Ultra 9 285HX includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The database does not provide benchmark results for either integrated graphics solution, so no direct performance comparison is available.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX is the stronger processor for nearly all workloads. It wins 16 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, including every PassMark test and all Cinebench tests except R23 single-core. The average benchmark score of 76,155 versus 33,206 places the Core Ultra 9 285HX at the 95th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 83rd percentile for the i7-14701E.

The Core Ultra 9 285HX delivers its largest advantages in encryption, floating point math, extended instructions, and random string sorting, where the deltas range from -62 to -69 percent in favor of the Core Ultra 9 285HX. These results point to a processor that excels at data-heavy and numerically intensive workloads. The 24-core configuration, larger cache hierarchy, and newer 3 nm process node from TSMC all contribute to this performance profile.

The i7-14701E retains a clear edge in Cinebench R23 single-core, with a 43.2 percent lead over the Core Ultra 9 285HX. This makes it a reasonable choice for applications that depend heavily on a single thread's performance in that specific rendering benchmark. However, the Core Ultra 9 285HX wins the other single-core tests, including Cinebench R15 single-core by a 2.6 percent margin and PassMark single-thread by a 6.8 percent margin, so the i7-14701E's single-thread advantage does not generalize across all test scenarios.

For desktop users with Intel Socket 1700 motherboards, the i7-14701E fits that platform. The Core Ultra 9 285HX uses Intel BGA 2114, a mobile socket, so it is not a direct drop-in replacement for desktop builds. The i7-14701E also supports DDR4 memory, which may matter for users upgrading existing systems without replacing memory modules. The Core Ultra 9 285HX requires DDR5 and a mobile platform.

Users seeking maximum multicore throughput, data processing capability, and overall benchmark standing should select the Core Ultra 9 285HX. The data shows it outperforms the i7-14701E by substantial margins in the vast majority of recorded tests. Users who prioritize Cinebench R23 single-core performance or require DDR4 support and a desktop socket should consider the i7-14701E. The choice hinges on workload priorities and platform requirements, with the Core Ultra 9 285HX offering the broader performance advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several recorded specifications. The i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX has 24 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 2.60 GHz for the i7-14701E and 2.80 GHz for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz and 5.50 GHz respectively. TDP values are 65 for the i7-14701E and 55 for the Core Ultra 9 285HX.

The socket types differ: Intel Socket 1700 for the i7-14701E and Intel BGA 2114 for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. The architectures are Raptor Lake for the i7-14701E and Arrow Lake for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. Process nodes are 10 nm for the i7-14701E and 3 nm for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. The i7-14701E does not have a recorded transistor count, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX has 17,800 million transistors. Die sizes are 257 mm² for the i7-14701E and 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 9 285HX.

Cache configurations differ. L1 cache is 80 KB per core for the i7-14701E and 192 KB per core for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. L2 cache is 2 MB per core versus 3 MB per core. L3 cache is 33 MB shared versus 36 MB shared. Memory support includes DDR4 and DDR5 for the i7-14701E, and only DDR5 for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Core Ultra 9 285HX has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the database does not record a bandwidth figure for the i7-14701E. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity shows Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the i7-14701E and Gen 5 with 20 lanes for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 for the i7-14701E and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. Market segments are Desktop for the i7-14701E and Mobile for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. The multiplier is locked on the i7-14701E and unlocked on the Core Ultra 9 285HX. Release dates are June 2024 for the i7-14701E and January 2025 for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. Both processors are active in production status.