Intel Core i7-14701TE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between the Intel Core i7-14701TE and the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, with the i7-14701TE winning 10 of 17 head-to-head tests and the Ultra 7 256V taking 7. The most decisive victory for the i7-14701TE comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 17035 against 10399, a 63.8% advantage. This is the largest single-test margin in the entire comparison and indicates that the desktop part’s higher thread count and sustained power delivery dominate heavily threaded rendering workloads.

The i7-14701TE also leads in PassMark integer math, scoring 65792 versus 43358, a 51.7% gap. This result aligns with the processor’s 16 threads versus 8 threads, as integer throughput scales well with additional logical cores. In data compression, the i7-14701TE posts 220520 against 184985, a 19.2% lead, while in physics simulation it scores 1860 versus 1595, a 16.6% advantage. Smaller wins for the i7-14701TE include Cinebench R15 multi-core (1716 vs 1583.5, 8.4% lead), Cinebench R20 multi-core (7154 vs 6958, 2.8% lead), Cinebench R20 single-core (1010 vs 982, 2.9% lead), PassMark multithread (20042 vs 19530, 2.6% lead), and random string sorting (22760 vs 22481, 1.2% lead).

The Ultra 7 256V counters with its strongest result in PassMark single-thread, scoring 4029 against 2637, a 34.5% advantage. This is a substantial margin and reflects the newer architecture’s superior per-core efficiency. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ultra 7 256V scores 285.5 versus 242, a 15.2% lead. The mobile processor also wins in PassMark find prime numbers (192 vs 143, 25.5% lead), data encryption (13998 vs 11699, 16.4% lead), floating point math (58576 vs 50219, 14.3% lead), and extended instructions (15643 vs 14354, 8.2% lead).

Notably, the Ultra 7 256V wins in Cinebench R23 single-core by a much smaller margin than expected given its PassMark single-thread dominance: it scores 1877.5 versus 2405, meaning the i7-14701TE actually wins that test by 28.1%. This discrepancy suggests that the two benchmarks stress different aspects of single-thread performance, with the i7-14701TE’s higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz helping in Cinebench’s workload while the Ultra 7 256V’s architecture excels in PassMark’s specific instruction mix.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-14701TE uses Raptor Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². It is a desktop part for Intel Socket 1700 with a TDP of 45. The Core Ultra 7 256V uses Lunar Lake architecture, fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm process, and is a mobile part for Intel BGA 2833 with a TDP of 17. The process node difference is significant: the 3 nm node allows for higher transistor density and better power efficiency, which explains the Ultra 7’s strong single-thread scores despite its much lower power envelope.

Core counts are identical at 8, but the i7-14701TE supports 16 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the Ultra 7 256V is limited to 8 threads. Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The i7-14701TE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 256V has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and only 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 on the desktop part helps with multi-threaded workloads that repeatedly access shared data, while the Ultra 7’s larger per-core L1 and L2 caches benefit single-thread responsiveness.

Memory support also diverges. The i7-14701TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory, and it includes ECC memory support. The Ultra 7 256V lists memory support as dependent on the motherboard, also dual-channel, but has no ECC support. PCIe lanes differ significantly: the i7-14701TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 256V provides Gen 5 with only 4 lanes (CPU only). This makes the desktop part far more suitable for discrete GPUs and multiple NVMe drives.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-14701TE includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 7 256V includes Arc 140V. The Arc 140V is a newer generation with more execution resources, though the database does not provide direct graphics benchmarks for either. The i7-14701TE has a higher boost clock at 5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz, and a higher base clock at 2.10 GHz versus 2.20 GHz for the Ultra 7 (the Ultra 7 actually has a slightly higher base clock). Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i7-14701TE is the stronger overall processor for multi-threaded desktop workloads. Its 63.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 51.7% lead in integer math, and 19.2% lead in data compression make it the clear choice for rendering, compilation, and content creation tasks that utilize all available threads. The 16 threads versus 8 threads is the decisive factor in these workloads, and the 33 MB of L3 cache helps maintain performance when working with large datasets.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V wins where power efficiency and single-thread responsiveness matter most. Its 34.5% lead in PassMark single-thread and 15.2% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core show that the newer Lunar Lake architecture extracts more performance per core. The 17 TDP versus 45 TDP also indicates that the Ultra 7 is designed for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermal constraints are primary concerns. The Ultra 7’s wins in data encryption (16.4% lead), floating point math (14.3% lead), and extended instructions (8.2% lead) suggest it handles specialized instruction sets more efficiently.

The average benchmark scores reflect this split: the i7-14701TE posts an average of 26013 and sits at the 78th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ultra 7 256V averages 21112 and sits at the 75th percentile. The i7-14701TE’s nearest rivals are all AMD Ryzen processors with average scores between 25880 and 26187, within 0.7% either way. The Ultra 7 256V’s nearest rivals include older AMD and Intel parts with average scores between 21066 and 21174, also within 0.3% either way. This places the i7-14701TE in a higher performance tier overall.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701TE has 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has 8 threads. Both have 8 cores.

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

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i7-14701TE scores 17035 versus 10399, a 63.8% lead.

Q: Which processor wins in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V wins PassMark single-thread with a score of 4029 versus 2637, a 34.5% lead. However, the i7-14701TE wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 2405 versus 1877.5, a 28.1% lead.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The i7-14701TE has a TDP of 45, while the Ultra 7 256V has a TDP of 17.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The i7-14701TE supports ECC memory, while the Ultra 7 256V does not.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The i7-14701TE provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 256V provides only 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-14701TE wins in every multi-threaded Cinebench test: R15 multi-core by 8.4%, R20 multi-core by 2.8%, and R23 multi-core by 63.8%. It also wins in Cinebench R20 single-core by 2.9% and Cinebench R23 single-core by 28.1%. In PassMark, the i7-14701TE takes data compression by 19.2%, integer math by 51.7%, multithread by 2.6%, physics by 16.6%, and random string sorting by 1.2%. These wins point to a processor that excels in desktop productivity, software compilation, video rendering, and any workload that can utilize 16 threads.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V wins in Cinebench R15 single-core by 15.2%, PassMark data encryption by 16.4%, extended instructions by 8.2%, find prime numbers by 25.5%, floating point math by 14.3%, and PassMark single-thread by 34.5%. These wins indicate strengths in encryption tasks, scientific floating-point calculations, and single-threaded applications that respond to high IPC rather than raw clock speed. The Ultra 7’s lower TDP of 17 makes it suitable for fanless or passively cooled designs, though the database does not provide thermal testing data to confirm this.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-14701TE | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |

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

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

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Lunar Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Lunar Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Cores | 8 | 8 |

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 45 | 17 |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| 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) | 12 MB (shared) |

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

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc 140V |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |