Intel Core i7-14701TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a decisive verdict: the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins 16 of the 17 recorded comparisons, with the Intel Core i7-14701TE taking only a single victory. The magnitude of the Ultra 5's lead is substantial across nearly every workload category, making this less a rivalry and more a demonstration of generational performance separation.

The largest advantage for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus appears in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 42144 against 11699, a 72.2% difference. This is the single biggest margin recorded in the head-to-head comparisons. PassMark extended instructions follow closely, with the Ultra 5 at 44565 versus 14354, a 67.8% gap. PassMark random string sorting shows a 67.1% difference (69090 vs 22760), and floating point math trails at 69.1% (162692 vs 50219). Prime number finding, often a proxy for raw integer throughput, shows a 70.6% difference (486 vs 143).

Cinebench results reinforce the pattern. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ultra 5 scores 4640 against 1716, a 63% difference. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 18442 versus 7154, a 61.2% gap, and Cinebench R20 singlecore matches that 61.2% difference exactly (2603 vs 1010). Cinebench R23 multicore narrows the relative gap somewhat, with 30867 versus 17035, a 44.8% difference. PassMark multithread shows a 61.2% difference (51596 vs 20042), and PassMark integer math a 47.4% difference (125091 vs 65792).

The Core i7-14701TE's lone win comes in Cinebench R23 singlecore, where it scores 2405 against 2261, a 6.4% advantage. This is the only benchmark in the entire dataset where the older chip leads, and the margin is modest compared to the Ultra 5's dominant wins elsewhere. Even the PassMark single-thread results contradict the R23 singlecore outcome: the Ultra 5 scores 4757 against 2637, a 44.6% difference. The discrepancy between Cinebench R23 singlecore and PassMark single-thread suggests the two processors respond differently to the specific instruction mixes in those tests, with the i7-14701TE holding a narrow edge in that particular Cinebench workload while trailing heavily in the PassMark equivalent.

The average benchmark score tells the same story from a higher vantage point. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus averages 66855 across its benchmark suite, while the Core i7-14701TE averages 26013. The Ultra 5 sits at the 93rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the i7-14701TE sits at the 78th percentile. The Ultra 5's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4465P (0.1% higher), the Intel Xeon 6515P (0.2% higher), the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (0.9% higher), and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus (1.1% lower). The i7-14701TE's nearest rivals are clustered much closer in average score, with the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 at 0.1% higher, the AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS at 0.4% lower, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE at 0.5% higher, and the AMD Ryzen 5 8540U at 0.7% lower. The i7-14701TE competes in a mid-range cluster, while the Ultra 5 operates alongside workstation and high-end mobile parts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras. The Core i7-14701TE uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series. It is built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 257 mm². The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, and is built on a 3 nm process node at TSMC. Its die size is 243 mm², slightly smaller than the i7-14701TE, and it integrates 17,800 million transistors.

Core counts diverge sharply. The i7-14701TE has 8 cores and 16 threads, indicating hyper-threading support. The Ultra 5 has 18 cores and 18 threads, meaning no hyper-threading, yet the raw core count advantage of 10 additional cores drives most of its multi-threaded wins. Cache configurations also 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 provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The i7-14701TE has more shared L3 by 3 MB, but the Ultra 5 has larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations.

Clock speeds favor the Ultra 5 in both base and boost. The i7-14701TE runs at 2.10 GHz base and 5.20 GHz boost. The Ultra 5 runs at 4.20 GHz base and 5.30 GHz boost. The base clock difference is especially large, with the Ultra 5 starting at double the i7-14701TE's base frequency. Power envelopes differ accordingly: the i7-14701TE has a 45 W TDP, while the Ultra 5 has a 125 W TDP. The Ultra 5 consumes more power by design, and its higher core count and clocks reflect that.

Memory support also differs. The i7-14701TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Ultra 5 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, while the i7-14701TE has no bandwidth figure recorded. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity favors the Ultra 5 with 20 Gen 5 lanes, compared to 16 Gen 5 lanes on the i7-14701TE. The i7-14701TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851, so they are not platform-compatible. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i7-14701TE carries UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 5 carries Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Ultra 5 has an unlocked multiplier; the i7-14701TE does not. Release dates place the i7-14701TE in 2024-06-30 and the Ultra 5 in 2026-03-10, making the Ultra 5 the later release by roughly 20 months.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins in every multi-threaded workload recorded, and by wide margins. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore all show the Ultra 5 ahead by 44.8% to 63%. PassMark multithread confirms this with a 61.2% difference. Data compression shows a 61.2% difference, and data encryption a 72.2% difference. Floating point math, integer math, extended instructions, prime number finding, physics, random string sorting: the Ultra 5 wins all of these by margins between 44.6% and 70.6%. The 18-core, 18-thread configuration, combined with the higher base clock, gives the Ultra 5 a commanding position in any workload that scales with core count or raw throughput.

The Core i7-14701TE wins exactly one benchmark: Cinebench R23 singlecore, with a 6.4% margin. This suggests that in that specific workload, the i7-14701TE's 5.20 GHz boost clock and its Raptor Lake architecture produce a favorable result. However, the PassMark single-thread test shows the Ultra 5 ahead by 44.6%, so the i7-14701TE's singlecore advantage does not generalize across all single-threaded tests. The i7-14701TE also retains a platform advantage for certain users: it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which can matter for upgrade paths, and its 45 W TDP means it can operate in systems with more modest cooling and power delivery. The database does not record any benchmark wins for the i7-14701TE beyond the single Cinebench R23 singlecore result.

In practical terms, the Ultra 5 is the clear choice for compute-heavy workloads: rendering, data processing, encryption, physics simulation, and any task that uses extended instruction sets. The i7-14701TE is competitive only in a narrow single-threaded niche, and even there the evidence is mixed. The 6.4% win in Cinebench R23 singlecore is real but isolated.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The Intel Core i7-14701TE has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the biggest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark data encryption, where the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 42144 against 11699 for the Core i7-14701TE, a 72.2% difference.

Q: Does the Core i7-14701TE win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R23 singlecore with a score of 2405 against 2261 for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, a 6.4% advantage.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Core i7-14701TE supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Core i7-14701TE has a TDP of 45 W. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a TDP of 125 W.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The Core i7-14701TE has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-14701TE | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |

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

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

| Cores | 8 | 18 |

| Threads | 16 | 18 |

| Base clock | 2.10 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Arrow Lake Refresh |

| 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) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 115.2 GB/s |

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

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release date | 2024-06-30 | 2026-03-10 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $199 |

The Verdict

The data points to one clear choice for almost any workload: the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. It wins 16 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, holds a 93rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, and averages 66855 in benchmark scores versus 26013 for the Core i7-14701TE. Its 18 cores, 4.20 GHz base clock, and 3 nm TSMC process give it overwhelming advantages in multi-threaded tasks, encryption, compression, floating point math, and extended instructions. The 44.6% to 72.2% margins are not close enough to be considered competitive.

The Core i7-14701TE is the right choice only for a very narrow scenario: a system that specifically benefits from its 6.4% win in Cinebench R23 singlecore, requires DDR4 memory support, or operates under a strict 45 W power envelope. Its 8 cores and 16 threads place it firmly below the Ultra 5 in any throughput-sensitive workload, and its 78th percentile ranking reflects a mid-range standing. The Ultra 5 also offers an unlocked multiplier, 20 Gen 5 PCIe lanes, and a launch MSRP of $199, though the i7-14701TE has no recorded launch MSRP for comparison.

For users building a desktop system in the current generation, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the superior part by every recorded measurement except one. The i7-14701TE's single Cinebench R23 singlecore victory does not offset the comprehensive defeat across the rest of the benchmark suite. The verdict from the database is unambiguous: the Ultra 5 250K Plus is the faster, more capable processor, and the i7-14701TE is a lower-power alternative with a single niche advantage.