Intel Core i7-14701TE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive overall win for the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, taking 16 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Core i7-14701TE manages a single victory, but the margin and pattern of results paint a clear picture of where each processor sits.

Starting with the multi-core Cinebench tests, the Ultra 7 356H leads by substantial margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ultra 7 scores 3055 against the i7-14701TE's 1716, a delta of 43.8%. The R20 multicore test shows a similar gap: 12153 versus 7154, which is 41.1% ahead. The R23 multicore result narrows considerably, with the Ultra 7 at 18395 and the i7 at 17035, a 7.4% advantage. This pattern suggests that the newer Panther Lake architecture scales better in some workloads than others, but the trend remains consistent.

Single-core results are more mixed. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ultra 7 posts 303 versus 242 for the i7, a 20.1% lead. The R20 single-core test shows the Ultra 7 at 1715 against 1010, a 41.1% advantage. However, the R23 single-core test flips: the i7-14701TE scores 2405, while the Ultra 7 scores 2040, giving the older chip a 17.9% win. This is the only head-to-head victory for the i7 across all recorded tests.

PassMark results reinforce the Ultra 7's dominance. Data compression shows 336177 for the Ultra 7 versus 220520 for the i7, a 34.4% gap. Data encryption is even more lopsided: 26345 versus 11699, a 55.6% difference. Extended instructions follow at 27898 versus 14354, a 48.5% lead. Find prime numbers shows 327 versus 143, a 56.3% gap. Floating point math delivers 103128 versus 50219, a 51.3% margin. Integer math is closer, with 83111 versus 65792, a 20.8% lead. Multithread performance shows 33978 versus 20042, a 41% gap. Physics tests give 2895 versus 1860, a 35.8% lead. Random string sorting shows 40990 versus 22760, a 44.5% gap. Finally, single-thread PassMark scores are 4072 versus 2637, a 35.2% advantage for the Ultra 7.

The average benchmark score reinforces this hierarchy. The Ultra 7 356H sits at 41215, while the i7-14701TE averages 26013. In terms of percentile ranking among all CPUs, the Ultra 7 lands at the 87th percentile, while the i7 sits at the 78th percentile. The nearest rivals for the Ultra 7 include the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 with a 0% delta, the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H with a 0.1% negative delta, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X with a 0.4% negative delta, and the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H with a 0.6% positive delta. For the i7, the nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 with a 0.1% positive delta, the AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS with a 0.4% negative delta, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE with a 0.5% positive delta, and the AMD Ryzen 5 8540U with a 0.7% negative delta.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-14701TE belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-R, and is built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The die size is 257 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is part of the Core Ultra Series 3, uses the Panther Lake architecture, and is fabricated on a 3 nm process node, also at Intel. No die size is recorded for the Ultra 7.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i7-14701TE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. This means the Ultra 7 has twice as many physical cores but the same thread count, indicating a different core topology. The i7 relies on hyper-threading to reach 16 threads from 8 cores, while the Ultra 7 uses its 16 physical cores without hyper-threading.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The i7-14701TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 356H has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. While the Ultra 7 has more per-core L1 and L2, the i7 has significantly more shared L3 cache.

Memory support differs as well. The i7 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with ECC memory support enabled. The Ultra 7 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, also dual-channel, but does not support ECC memory. The Ultra 7 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, while the i7 has no recorded bandwidth figure.

PCIe capabilities show differences in lane counts. The i7-14701TE offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 356H offers PCIe Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: the i7 uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 7 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics.

The socket types are entirely different. The i7 uses Intel Socket 1700, indicating a desktop platform. The Ultra 7 uses Intel BGA 2540, indicating a mobile platform. The market segments confirm this: the i7 is listed as Desktop, and the Ultra 7 is listed as Mobile. The i7 has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the Ultra 7 has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The i7 has a TDP of 45, while the Ultra 7 has a TDP of 25. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Release dates differ substantially. The i7-14701TE has a release date of June 30, 2024, while the Ultra 7 356H has a release date of January 4, 2026. Both are listed as Active in production status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701TE has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 single-core performance?

A: The i7-14701TE wins this test with a score of 2405 against the Ultra 7's 2040, a 17.9% advantage. This is the only head-to-head test where the i7 comes out ahead.

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

A: The largest delta appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Ultra 7 356H leads by 56.3%. The data encryption test shows a 55.6% gap, and floating point math shows a 51.3% gap.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The i7-14701TE supports ECC memory, while the Ultra 7 356H does not.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The i7-14701TE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 7 achieves its thread count through physical cores, while the i7 uses hyper-threading.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Ultra 7 356H averages 41215, compared to the i7-14701TE's 26013. The Ultra 7 also ranks in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7 ranks in the 78th percentile.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several key differences between the two processors. The i7-14701TE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The base clock for the i7 is 2.10 GHz versus 1.90 GHz for the Ultra 7. The boost clock for the i7 is 5.20 GHz versus 4.70 GHz for the Ultra 7. The TDP is 45 for the i7 and 25 for the Ultra 7.

The socket differs: Intel Socket 1700 for the i7, Intel BGA 2540 for the Ultra 7. The architecture is Raptor Lake for the i7 and Panther Lake for the Ultra 7. The process node is 10 nm for the i7 and 3 nm for the Ultra 7. The die size is 257 mm² for the i7, with no recorded die size for the Ultra 7.

Cache configurations differ: L1 cache is 80 KB per core for the i7 and 192 KB per core for the Ultra 7. L2 cache is 2 MB per core for the i7 and 2.5 MB per core for the Ultra 7. L3 cache is 33 MB shared for the i7 and 18 MB shared for the Ultra 7.

Memory support shows the i7 accepts DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 accepts DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Ultra 7 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, while the i7 has no recorded bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the i7 but not on the Ultra 7. PCIe lanes differ: 16 lanes for the i7 versus 12 lanes for the Ultra 7, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 for the i7 and Intel Xe3 Graphics for the Ultra 7. The market segment is Desktop for the i7 and Mobile for the Ultra 7. Release dates are June 30, 2024 for the i7 and January 4, 2026 for the Ultra 7.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is the stronger performer across nearly all recorded workloads. It wins 16 of 17 head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 7.4% in Cinebench R23 multicore to 56.3% in PassMark find prime numbers. Its average benchmark score of 41215 places it in the 87th percentile, well above the i7-14701TE's 26013 and 78th percentile.

The i7-14701TE's only win comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it leads by 17.9%. This suggests the i7's higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz can provide an edge in certain lightly threaded scenarios, but the Ultra 7's advantage in the R15 and R20 single-core tests shows this is not a consistent pattern.

The Ultra 7's 16 physical cores versus the i7's 8 cores with hyper-threading explains much of the multi-core gap. The newer 3 nm process node also contributes to efficiency, as indicated by the lower 25 TDP compared to the i7's 45. The Ultra 7's larger L1 and L2 caches per core support its strong single-thread PassMark score of 4072 versus 2637.

For workloads that rely on encryption, compression, floating point math, or prime number calculations, the data shows the Ultra 7 356H is clearly ahead. The i7-14701TE remains competitive only in the specific Cinebench R23 single-core test, where its higher clock speed appears to matter more than the architectural differences.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H dominates in multi-threaded and throughput-oriented tasks. Its Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore scores are roughly 41-44% higher. PassMark multithread shows a 41% lead, and integer math comes in at 20.8% ahead. Data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, physics, and random string sorting all show the Ultra 7 with leads between 34.4% and 56.3%. This makes the Ultra 7 the clear choice for content creation, scientific computing, and any workload that can use all available cores.

The Intel Core i7-14701TE has a narrow advantage in the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where it scores 2405 versus 2040. This 17.9% margin indicates the i7's higher boost clock can deliver better performance in a specific single-threaded benchmark. However, the Ultra 7 wins the other two Cinebench single-core tests and the PassMark single-thread test, so the i7's advantage does not extend broadly across single-threaded workloads.

The Ultra 7 also offers advantages in platform features. It supports LPDDR5X memory and has a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, which is useful for memory-intensive mobile workloads. The i7 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with ECC, which may matter for desktop applications requiring error-correcting memory. The i7 has more PCIe lanes (16 versus 12), which could benefit desktop configurations with multiple expansion cards.

For desktop users with ECC requirements and a need for the highest possible single-core clock in one specific test, the i7-14701TE has a role. For mobile users or anyone prioritizing multi-core throughput, encryption, compression, and overall benchmark averages, the Ultra 7 356H is the stronger option based on the recorded data.