Intel Core i9-14900 vs Intel Core Ultra X9 378H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data divides these two processors into two distinct performance profiles. The Intel Core i9-14900 wins 9 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H takes 8, but the margins tell the real story.

The largest single victory belongs to the Core i9-14900 in PassMark integer math, where it scores 175010 against the Core Ultra X9 378H's 92603, a massive 89% advantage. This is the most lopsided result in the entire comparison. The desktop chip also dominates Cinebench R15 multicore with 4793 versus 3281, a 46.1% lead, and PassMark data compression with 550271 versus 386591, a 42.3% margin. Random string sorting goes to the i9-14900 by 36.8% (61060 against 44648), and Cinebench R20 multicore shows a 16.4% gap (15910 versus 13672).

The Core Ultra X9 378H counterattacks decisively in single-threaded and newer Cinebench loads. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4595 dwarfs the i9-14900's 2212, a 51.9% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core also goes to the mobile chip by 31.8% (462 versus 315). In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core Ultra X9 378H wins 32553 to 31070, a 4.6% margin, despite having far fewer cores and threads. PassMark physics favors the Ultra chip by 27% (3404 versus 2486), and find prime numbers goes its way by 47.3% (357 versus 188).

The closer contests reveal a nuanced picture. PassMark extended instructions goes to the Core Ultra X9 378H by just 2.2% (31315 versus 30624). PassMark single-thread favors the Ultra chip by 2.9% (4453 versus 4323). Floating point math goes to the i9-14900 by only 5% (120262 versus 114500). Data encryption favors the i9-14900 by 12.4% (33540 versus 29840). Cinebench R20 single-core goes to the i9-14900 by 16.4% (2245 versus 1929), the same margin as the R20 multicore result. PassMark multithread shows the i9-14900 ahead by 16.4% (44578 versus 38298).

The average benchmark score in the database places the i9-14900 at 58115 against 47468 for the Core Ultra X9 378H, a gap that positions the desktop chip at the 92nd percentile of all CPUs while the mobile chip sits at the 89th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i9-14900 establishes its dominance in throughput-heavy workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth. Data compression, integer math, multithreaded PassMark, and Cinebench R15 multicore all show leads between 16.4% and 89%. The 24-core, 32-thread configuration with 36 MB of shared L3 cache translates directly into strong performance for parallel integer workloads, file compression, and general multithreaded processing.

The Core Ultra X9 378H wins in workloads that favor per-core efficiency and modern instruction execution. Its Cinebench R23 single-core lead of 51.9% and R15 single-core lead of 31.8% indicate substantially higher instructions-per-clock. The physics test result, 27% ahead, suggests better scheduling or per-core throughput for physics simulation. Prime number finding, an integer-heavy but latency-sensitive test, goes to the Ultra chip by 47.3%, suggesting its architecture handles dependent chains more efficiently.

The split is clean: the i9-14900 handles raw parallel throughput, while the Core Ultra X9 378H excels at single-threaded responsiveness, physics, and the latest Cinebench rendering loop. The Cinebench R23 multicore result, where the 16-thread mobile chip beats the 32-thread desktop chip by 4.6%, demonstrates that the Ultra architecture's per-core advantage can overcome a 2:1 thread deficit in at least one modern rendering workload.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design points. The Core i9-14900 uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, built by Intel for the desktop Socket 1700 platform. It houses 24 cores and 32 threads with base and boost clocks of 2.00 GHz and 5.80 GHz respectively, running at a 65 W TDP. Its cache hierarchy uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. Memory support covers DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with ECC support enabled. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics come from UHD Graphics 770. The multiplier is locked.

The Core Ultra X9 378H uses the Panther Lake codename under the Panther Lake-H generation, built on a 3 nm process, also by Intel. It targets the mobile segment with a BGA 2540 socket. The chip contains 16 cores and 16 threads, with no hyperthreading. Base clock is 2.00 GHz and boost reaches 5.00 GHz, within a 25 W TDP. Its cache layout differs substantially: 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3, which is half the i9-14900's L3. Memory support is limited to LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s. ECC is not supported. PCIe drops to Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are Arc B390. The multiplier is locked.

The process node difference, 10 nm versus 3 nm, likely explains the Core Ultra X9 378H's superior single-thread scores despite a lower boost clock. The larger L1 and L2 per core also contribute to its per-thread efficiency. The i9-14900 compensates with double the cores, double the threads, and double the L3 cache.

The release dates place the i9-14900 in January 2024 with a launch MSRP of $549. The Core Ultra X9 378H carries no launch MSRP in the database and was released in April 2026. Both are active production parts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H scores 32553, which is 4.6% ahead of the Intel Core i9-14900's 31070, despite having 16 threads versus 32.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap?

A: The Core Ultra X9 378H leads by 51.9% in Cinebench R23 single-core (4595 versus 2212) and by 31.8% in Cinebench R15 single-core (462 versus 315). In PassMark single-thread, its lead narrows to 2.9% (4453 versus 4323).

Q: Which chip has better integer math throughput?

A: The Core i9-14900 scores 175010 in PassMark integer math, an 89% advantage over the Core Ultra X9 378H's 92603. This is the largest margin in any recorded benchmark between the two.

Q: Do they use the same memory technology?

A: No. The Core i9-14900 supports DDR4 and DDR5 over dual-channel memory with ECC. The Core Ultra X9 378H supports only LPDDR5X over dual-channel with no ECC, and its recorded memory bandwidth is 153.6 GB/s.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Core i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Core Ultra X9 378H has 16 cores and 16 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading on the mobile part.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core i9-14900 boosts to 5.80 GHz, while the Core Ultra X9 378H boosts to 5.00 GHz. Both have a 2.00 GHz base clock.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on workload type. The Intel Core i9-14900 is the choice for multithreaded integer throughput, compression, encryption, and floating point math. Its wins in integer math (89% ahead), data compression (42.3% ahead), random string sorting (36.8% ahead), and Cinebench R20 multicore (16.4% ahead) make it the stronger processor for parallel compute tasks. Its 92nd percentile ranking and average score of 58115 place it above the Ultra chip's 89th percentile and 47468 average.

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H is the better performer for single-threaded tasks, physics simulation, and the Cinebench R23 rendering workload. Its 51.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core, 47.3% lead in prime number finding, and 27% lead in physics indicate a fundamentally more efficient per-core architecture. The fact that it wins Cinebench R23 multicore with half the threads reinforces this efficiency advantage.

For users prioritizing raw parallel throughput, the i9-14900's 24 cores, 32 threads, 36 MB L3, and higher boost clock deliver measurable wins across most multithreaded benchmarks. For users prioritizing single-threaded responsiveness and modern rendering efficiency, the Core Ultra X9 378H's 3 nm process, larger per-core caches, and higher IPC produce superior results in those specific tests. The nearest rival data confirms both chips sit in competitive territory: the i9-14900 trades within 1% of the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and Intel Xeon w5-2545, while the Core Ultra X9 378H trades within 0.6% of the Intel Core i9-12900F and 0.5% of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-14900 | Intel Core Ultra X9 378H |

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

| Cores | 24 | 16 |

| Threads | 32 | 16 |

| Boost Clock | 5.80 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 36 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 153.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Supported | Not supported |

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc B390 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2026-04-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $549 | None recorded |