Intel Core i7-14701TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 238V Comparison

The Intel Core i7-14701TE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V represent two distinct design philosophies from the same manufacturer, one built for desktop throughput and the other for mobile efficiency. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the i7-14701TE dominates in multi-threaded and integer workloads, while the Ultra 5 238V counters with superior single-thread and encryption performance. Across 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the i7-14701TE secures 11 wins, leaving the Ultra 5 238V with 6 victories.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Core i7-14701TE comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 65792 against the Ultra 5 238V's 38889, a massive 69.2% advantage. This result reflects the desktop chip's 16 threads versus the mobile chip's 8 threads, allowing it to process parallel integer operations far more effectively. The i7-14701TE also shows a substantial 24.9% lead in data compression, scoring 220520 versus 176532, a workload that benefits directly from higher thread counts and larger shared cache.

In Cinebench tests, the i7-14701TE maintains a consistent 8.9% to 9% lead across all six variants. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 17035 against 15645, while in single-core it posts 2405 versus 2208. The R20 results follow the same pattern: 7154 versus 6570 multi-core and 1010 versus 927 single-core. The R15 results show 1716 versus 1576 multi-core and 242 versus 222 single-core. These consistent margins indicate that the i7-14701TE's higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz, compared to 4.70 GHz on the Ultra 5 238V, provides a steady advantage in both lightly threaded and fully threaded rendering tasks.

The PassMark multithread test reinforces this trend, with the i7-14701TE scoring 20042 against 18407, an 8.9% edge. Physics simulation also favors the desktop chip, showing a 20.3% lead with scores of 1860 versus 1546. Random string sorting goes to the i7-14701TE by a narrower 5.4% margin, 22760 versus 21585.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V fights back in several specialized areas. Its largest win is in PassMark single-thread performance, where it scores 3890 against 2637, a 32.2% advantage. This is a notable reversal from the Cinebench single-core results, suggesting the Ultra 5 238V's architecture excels in certain single-threaded instruction patterns that PassMark's test captures differently. The Ultra 5 238V also wins in prime number finding, scoring 174 versus 143, a 17.8% lead. Data encryption shows a 10.5% advantage for the mobile chip, 13072 versus 11699, while extended instructions go to the Ultra 5 238V by 6.7%, 15377 versus 14354. Floating-point math also favors the Ultra 5 238V, with 53160 versus 50219, a 5.5% edge.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-14701TE is the clear choice for workloads that scale with thread count and large shared caches. Its 16 threads and 33 MB of L3 cache deliver decisive wins in integer math, data compression, multithreaded rendering, and physics simulation. The 69.2% lead in integer math and 24.9% lead in data compression highlight its strength in database operations, scientific computing, and file archiving. The consistent 8.9% Cinebench multi-core advantage confirms its suitability for video rendering and 3D modeling tasks that utilize all available cores.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V excels in efficiency-oriented and specialized instruction paths. Its 32.2% single-thread victory in PassMark suggests strong per-core execution for certain algorithms, despite the lower 4.70 GHz boost clock. The wins in encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, and floating-point math indicate that its Lunar Lake architecture includes more advanced execution units for these specific operations. The 17.8% lead in prime number finding and 10.5% lead in encryption point to strengths in cryptography and mathematical computation, while the 5.5% floating-point edge benefits scientific simulations and financial modeling.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different generations and manufacturing approaches. The Intel Core i7-14701TE uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process fabricated by Intel, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V uses Lunar Lake architecture on a 3 nm process fabricated by TSMC. This process node difference is significant: the 3 nm node allows the Ultra 5 238V to achieve its results at a 17 W TDP, compared to the i7-14701TE's 45 W TDP.

Both chips have 8 cores, but the i7-14701TE supports 16 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the Ultra 5 238V operates with 8 threads. Cache configurations differ substantially. The i7-14701TE provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 238V offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but only 8 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 cache on the desktop chip directly contributes to its data compression and integer math advantages.

Memory support also diverges. The i7-14701TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and includes ECC memory support. The Ultra 5 238V's memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard, also with dual-channel capability, but without ECC support. PCIe lanes differ significantly: the i7-14701TE provides 16 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 5 238V offers only 4 Gen 5 lanes. This makes the desktop chip far more suitable for discrete graphics and high-bandwidth storage arrays.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-14701TE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 5 238V uses Arc 130V. The socket types are incompatible: Intel Socket 1700 for the desktop chip versus Intel BGA 2833 for the mobile chip, and the market segments reflect this, with the i7-14701TE designated as Desktop and the Ultra 5 238V as Mobile. The i7-14701TE was released on 2024-06-30, while the Ultra 5 238V followed on 2024-09-23.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701TE has an average benchmark score of 26013, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V scores 21981. The i7-14701TE also ranks in the 78th percentile against all CPUs, versus the 75th percentile for the Ultra 5 238V.

Q: How does the Intel Core i7-14701TE compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The i7-14701TE is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, with a 0.1% higher score. It trails the AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS by 0.4%, leads the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE by 0.5%, and trails the AMD Ryzen 5 8540U by 0.7%.

Q: What is the most significant performance gap between these two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the Intel Core i7-14701TE leads by 69.2%. The second largest is in PassMark single-thread, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V leads by 32.2%.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V have any advantage in multi-core workloads?

A: No, the Intel Core i7-14701TE wins every multi-core benchmark in the comparison, including all Cinebench multi-core tests and PassMark multithread, with margins between 8.9% and 24.9%.

Q: Why does the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V win in PassMark single-thread but lose in Cinebench single-core?

A: The PassMark single-thread test shows a 32.2% advantage for the Ultra 5 238V, scoring 3890 versus 2637, while Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 8.9% advantage for the i7-14701TE, 2405 versus 2208. The tests measure different instruction patterns, with PassMark apparently favoring the Lunar Lake architecture's execution units.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701TE has a 45 W TDP, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V has a 17 W TDP. This reflects the mobile chip's efficiency focus and its 3 nm process node.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear division of purpose. The Intel Core i7-14701TE is the stronger processor for desktop workloads that demand maximum multi-threaded performance and large cache capacity. Its 69.2% lead in integer math, 24.9% lead in data compression, and consistent Cinebench wins across all versions make it the choice for content creators, software developers, and data analysts who run parallel workloads. The 16 threads and 33 MB of L3 cache provide a structural advantage that the Ultra 5 238V cannot overcome in these tasks.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V is the better pick for mobile systems where power efficiency is critical, given its 17 W TDP versus 45 W. Its wins in encryption, floating-point math, and PassMark single-thread indicate that it handles specialized computational tasks effectively despite fewer threads and less L3 cache. The 32.2% single-thread victory shows that for certain algorithms, the Lunar Lake architecture delivers higher per-core throughput than the Raptor Lake chip.

For users prioritizing raw multi-core throughput and desktop expandability, the i7-14701TE's 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and ECC memory support add practical value. For those needing efficient mobile computing with strong integrated graphics, the Ultra 5 238V's Arc 130V and 3 nm process represent the modern approach. The benchmark scores confirm that neither chip is universally superior; the i7-14701TE wins 11 of 17 comparisons, but the Ultra 5 238V claims the most lopsided single-test victory in PassMark single-thread.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-14701TE | Intel Core Ultra 5 238V |

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

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

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 17 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Lunar Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Lunar Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

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

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 33 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | Depends on motherboard |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc 130V |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2024-06-30 | 2024-09-23 |

| Part Number | Q49GSRNJL | SRPN5SRPN4 |