Intel Core i7-14701TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235T Comparison

Intel Core i7-14701TE and Intel Core Ultra 5 235T are two desktop processors from different Intel generations, and the benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap between them. The Core Ultra 5 235T wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, with the Core i7-14701TE failing to secure a single victory. This places the Core Ultra 5 235T in the 86th percentile of all CPUs tested, while the Core i7-14701TE sits in the 78th percentile. The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 235T is 38561, compared to 26013 for the Core i7-14701TE, a difference that reflects the architectural advancements of the newer Arrow Lake design.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows no overlap in benchmark victories. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T wins every single test in the database, from multi-threaded rendering workloads to single-threaded integer operations. The Core i7-14701TE does not win any of the 17 recorded benchmarks, meaning there is no workload category where it demonstrates superiority based on the available measurements.

The Core Ultra 5 235T’s wins span all tested categories. In Cinebench tests, which measure CPU rendering performance, it takes the R15, R20, and R23 multi-core and single-core tests. In PassMark tests, it wins data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. The magnitude of these wins varies, from a relatively narrow 13.8% advantage in PassMark physics to a dominant 55% lead in finding prime numbers.

For the Core i7-14701TE, the analysis is straightforward: it has no winning categories. Its best relative performance comes in PassMark physics, where it trails by only 13.8%, and in PassMark integer math, where it is 21.9% behind. Its worst relative performance is in PassMark floating point math and data encryption, where it trails by over 50%. Users seeking a processor for any of the tested workloads would find the Core Ultra 5 235T to be the stronger option based on the recorded data.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial and explains the benchmark results. The Intel Core i7-14701TE uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R design, built on a 10 nm process node by Intel. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T uses the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-S, built on a 3 nm process node by TSMC. This process node difference is significant: the Core Ultra 5 235T uses a smaller manufacturing process, which typically allows for improved power efficiency and higher transistor density.

The transistor count reflects this difference. The Core Ultra 5 235T has 17,800 million transistors on a die size of 243 mm². The Core i7-14701TE has a die size of 257 mm², but its transistor count is not recorded in the database. The Core Ultra 5 235T also has a different cache hierarchy. It offers 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 3 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Core i7-14701TE offers 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache is larger on the Core i7-14701TE at 33 MB, compared to 24 MB on the Core Ultra 5 235T.

Core configuration also differs. The Core i7-14701TE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235T has 14 cores and 14 threads. The Core Ultra 5 235T has more physical cores but no hyper-threading, so its thread count equals its core count. The Core i7-14701TE relies on hyper-threading to reach 16 threads from 8 cores. The Core Ultra 5 235T also has a higher base clock of 2.20 GHz versus 2.10 GHz, but a lower boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus 5.20 GHz.

Memory support differs as well. The Core i7-14701TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 235T supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Core Ultra 5 235T has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the Core i7-14701TE does not have a bandwidth figure in the database. The Core i7-14701TE supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 5 235T does not. PCIe support also differs: the Core i7-14701TE has Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 235T has Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The integrated graphics are different as well, with the Core i7-14701TE using UHD Graphics 770 and the Core Ultra 5 235T using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a consistent 35% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235T across all variants. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 235T scores 2644 against 1716 for the Core i7-14701TE, a 35.1% difference. The single-core R15 test shows the same 35.1% gap, with scores of 373 and 242. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 11017 versus 7154, and the single-core scores are 1555 versus 1010, both showing a 35% or 35.1% delta. Cinebench R23 multi-core sees 26232 against 17035, and single-core sees 3703 against 2405, again with a 35.1% delta. This uniformity suggests the Core Ultra 5 235T has a consistent per-clock and per-core advantage in rendering workloads.

The PassMark tests reveal larger disparities in specific workloads. The biggest gap is in finding prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 5 235T scores 318 versus 143, a 55% difference. Floating point math also shows a major split: 106546 versus 50219, a 52.9% gap. Data encryption shows 23457 versus 11699, a 50.1% difference. These three tests point to areas where the Core Ultra 5 235T’s architectural improvements deliver outsized gains.

Moderate gaps appear in extended instructions, with 23212 versus 14354, a 38.2% difference, and in single-thread performance, with 4339 versus 2637, a 39.2% gap. Random string sorting shows 35377 versus 22760, a 35.7% difference. Multithread performance shows 30918 versus 20042, a 35.2% gap. Data compression shows 295100 versus 220520, a 25.3% difference. Integer math shows 84244 versus 65792, a 21.9% gap.

The smallest advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235T is in PassMark physics, where it scores 2157 against 1860, a 13.8% difference. Even this narrowest win is substantial, indicating that the Core i7-14701TE cannot match the Core Ultra 5 235T in any measured dimension.

The Verdict

The data clearly indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T is the superior processor for all tested workloads. It wins every benchmark, and its average benchmark score of 38561 is significantly higher than the Core i7-14701TE’s 26013. The Core Ultra 5 235T also ranks higher in the overall percentile distribution, at the 86th percentile versus the 78th percentile. Users seeking maximum performance in rendering, encryption, math operations, or any PassMark workload should select the Core Ultra 5 235T based on the recorded measurements.

The Core i7-14701TE retains some distinguishing features that may matter for specific use cases. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 235T supports only DDR5. It also supports ECC memory, which the Core Ultra 5 235T does not. These features could be relevant for systems requiring older memory types or error-correcting memory, even though the Core Ultra 5 235T offers higher raw performance. The Core i7-14701TE also uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 235T uses the newer Intel Socket 1851, so platform compatibility differs.

The Core Ultra 5 235T has the higher core count at 14 versus 8, and it uses a smaller 3 nm process node from TSMC. It also has a higher base clock of 2.20 GHz versus 2.10 GHz, though the Core i7-14701TE has a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 235T offers more PCIe lanes at 20 versus 16, and it has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. For users prioritizing performance across the board, the data supports the Core Ultra 5 235T without qualification.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T has an average benchmark score of 38561, while the Intel Core i7-14701TE has an average benchmark score of 26013.

Q: How many benchmarks does each processor win in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T wins all 17 recorded benchmarks, while the Intel Core i7-14701TE wins none.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 5 235T leads by 55%, scoring 318 versus 143.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-14701TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T supports only DDR5.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the Intel Core i7-14701TE has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701TE uses a 10 nm process node from Intel, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T uses a 3 nm process node from TSMC.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-14701TE | Intel Core Ultra 5 235T |

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

| Series | Core 14th Gen | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Cores | 8 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Arrow Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 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) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $247 |

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