Intel Core i7-14701TE vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a stark contrast between the Intel Core i7-14701TE and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. Out of 17 recorded comparisons, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus claims victory in 16, while the Core i7-14701TE manages a single win. The magnitude of the differences is considerable, with the Ultra 9 frequently doubling or tripling the i7's output.

In multi-threaded workloads, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus demonstrates overwhelming dominance. The Cinebench R23 multicore score shows the Ultra 9 at 39684 against the i7's 17035, a delta of -57.1% from the i7's perspective. The Cinebench R20 multicore test results are even more lopsided: 21198 versus 7154, representing a -66.3% difference. The Cinebench R15 multicore benchmark shows 5981 versus 1716, a -71.3% gap. These results indicate that the Ultra 9 delivers roughly 2.3 to 3.5 times the multi-core performance of the i7-14701TE across these rendering tests.

The PassMark suite reinforces this pattern. Data compression scores show the Ultra 9 at 658724 against 220520, a -66.5% difference. Floating point math demonstrates a -75.1% gap, with scores of 201773 and 50219. Integer math shows 164839 versus 65792, a -60.1% delta. The multithread benchmark records 59439 for the Ultra 9 and 20042 for the i7, a -66.3% difference. Data encryption delivers one of the largest margins: 50008 versus 11699, a -76.6% delta. Extended instructions follow at 51290 against 14354, a -72% gap. Prime number finding shows 519 versus 143, a -72.4% difference. Random string sorting completes the rout at 80327 versus 22760, a -71.7% delta.

Single-threaded performance tells a more nuanced story. The Cinebench R23 single-core test is the only benchmark where the Core i7-14701TE wins, scoring 2405 against the Ultra 9's 2356, a modest 2.1% advantage. However, other single-thread tests favor the Ultra 9 substantially. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows 340 versus 242, a -28.8% gap. Cinebench R20 single-core records 2992 against 1010, a -66.2% difference. The PassMark single-thread benchmark shows 4951 versus 2637, a -46.7% delta. The physics test, which often reflects single-thread efficiency, shows 3387 versus 1860, a -45.1% gap.

The average benchmark score encapsulates the overall picture: the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus averages 79574, while the Core i7-14701TE averages 26013. The percentile rankings confirm the separation, with the Ultra 9 sitting at the 95th percentile of all CPUs and the i7 at the 78th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design generations and manufacturing approaches. The Core i7-14701TE belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, built on Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename. It uses a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is part of the Core Ultra Series 2, using the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename, and is built on a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. The Ultra 9 contains 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the i7's transistor count is not recorded, though its die size is listed at 257 mm².

Core configuration differs dramatically. The i7-14701TE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. The lack of hyperthreading on the Ultra 9 means each core handles one thread, whereas the i7 uses two threads per core. Clock speeds also favor the Ultra 9: its base clock is 2.70 GHz compared to 2.10 GHz, and its boost clock reaches 5.50 GHz versus 5.20 GHz.

Cache hierarchies show the Ultra 9 with larger per-core allocations. The L1 cache is 192 KB per core on the Ultra 9 versus 80 KB per core on the i7. L2 cache measures 3 MB per core on the Ultra 9 against 2 MB per core on the i7. The shared L3 cache totals 36 MB on the Ultra 9 and 33 MB on the i7.

Memory support diverges as well. The i7-14701TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Ultra 9 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the i7's bandwidth is not listed. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs, with the i7 offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and the Ultra 9 providing Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics also differ: the i7 uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 9 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The i7 is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 9 is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2114. The Ultra 9 has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7 does not. The i7's TDP is 45 watts, and the Ultra 9's TDP is 55 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins decisively in almost every measured category. Multi-core rendering, data compression, encryption, extended instruction workloads, prime number calculation, floating point math, integer math, multithreaded tasks, physics simulations, random string sorting, and single-threaded PassMark tests all favor the Ultra 9 by wide margins. Its 24 cores and higher clock speeds drive these results, and the 3 nm process node likely contributes to the efficiency that allows such performance within a 55-watt TDP.

The Core i7-14701TE claims one specific victory: the Cinebench R23 single-core test. Its 2405 score edges out the Ultra 9's 2356 by 2.1%. This suggests that in very specific single-threaded rendering scenarios, the i7's architecture delivers slightly better per-core performance than the Ultra 9's design. However, this advantage does not extend to other single-thread tests, where the Ultra 9 leads by 28.8% to 66.2% depending on the benchmark.

For workloads that depend heavily on a single thread and use the Cinebench R23 engine specifically, the i7-14701TE has a narrow edge. For everything else, the Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the clear performance leader. The data shows that users prioritizing multi-core throughput, data processing, or general single-thread speed would find the Ultra 9 significantly faster.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i7-14701TE has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus averages 79574, while the Core i7-14701TE averages 26013. The Ultra 9 sits at the 95th percentile of all CPUs, and the i7 sits at the 78th percentile.

Q: In which benchmark does the Core i7-14701TE outperform the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus?

A: The i7-14701TE wins only the Cinebench R23 single-core test, scoring 2405 versus 2356, a 2.1% advantage.

Q: How do the process nodes compare?

A: The Core i7-14701TE uses a 10 nm process node from Intel. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses a 3 nm process node from TSMC.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Core i7-14701TE and the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus support ECC memory.

Q: What are the TDP values for each processor?

A: The Core i7-14701TE has a TDP of 45 watts. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a TDP of 55 watts.

The Verdict

The recorded data makes the performance hierarchy unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the superior processor in nearly all measured workloads, winning 16 of 17 benchmarks and delivering average scores roughly three times higher than the Core i7-14701TE. Its 24 cores, higher clock speeds, larger caches, and 3 nm process node combine to produce results that place it at the 95th percentile of all CPUs.

The Intel Core i7-14701TE offers a single bright spot in Cinebench R23 single-core performance, where its 2.1% edge suggests that its Raptor Lake architecture retains some per-core efficiency advantages in specific rendering tasks. Its 78th percentile ranking and lower average score indicate that it operates in a different performance class overall.

For users whose workloads align with multi-threaded rendering, data compression, encryption, or mathematical computation, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus delivers massively higher throughput. For those running the Cinebench R23 single-core test specifically, the i7-14701TE provides a marginal win, but this does not offset the Ultra 9's dominance elsewhere. The data indicates that the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the choice for maximum performance, while the Core i7-14701TE suits scenarios where its specific single-core characteristic matters most.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-14701TE | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |

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

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

| Cores | 8 | 24 |

| Threads | 16 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Arrow Lake-HX 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) | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 102.4 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 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2024-06-30 | 2026-03-16 |