Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core i9-14900HX Comparison

The Verdict

The data shows two Intel processors with identical core and thread counts, but they serve fundamentally different segments. The Intel Core 7 251TE is a desktop processor on Socket 1700, while the Intel Core i9-14900HX is a mobile processor on BGA 1964. The i9-14900HX wins 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with an average benchmark score of 56004 against 41650 for the 251TE. That is a 34.5% advantage in average score.

The 251TE takes only two wins, both in Cinebench single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 362 versus 310.5, a 16.6% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin is much larger: 3602 versus 2181.5, a 65.1% lead. Those results indicate the 251TE has a substantial single-thread advantage in newer Cinebench workloads, but the i9-14900HX dominates everything else.

The percentile rankings confirm the gap. The i9-14900HX sits at the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the 251TE sits at the 88th. The i9-14900HX's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 at 56273 average score and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX at 56555. The 251TE's nearest rivals cluster much closer: the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H at 41621 and the Intel Core i7-14650HX at 41576, both within 0.2% of its average.

The verdict is straightforward. The i9-14900HX is the stronger processor for multi-threaded and general-purpose work, with decisive wins in every Passmark workload and all multi-core Cinebench tests. The 251TE is the choice when the specific Cinebench single-core metric matters most, particularly R23 single-core, where its 65.1% lead is the largest margin in the entire comparison.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX has an average benchmark score of 56004, while the Intel Core 7 251TE averages 41650. The i9-14900HX also ranks in the 91st percentile of all CPUs versus the 88th percentile for the 251TE.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 24 cores and 32 threads. They also share the same 36 MB of shared L3 cache and the same 80 KB per-core L1 cache.

Q: In which benchmarks does the Intel Core 7 251TE win?

A: The 251TE wins exactly two head-to-head benchmarks: Cinebench R15 single-core with 362 points versus 310.5, and Cinebench R23 single-core with 3602 points versus 2181.5.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin in the comparison?

A: The largest margin is the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where the 251TE leads by 65.1%. The second largest is Cinebench R15 multicore, where the i9-14900HX leads by 43.8%.

Q: Are both processors built on the same process node?

A: Yes, both use Intel's 10 nm process and are manufactured by Intel. The die sizes differ: 215 mm² for the 251TE and 257 mm² for the i9-14900HX.

Q: Do both support the same memory types?

A: Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory. The 251TE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i9-14900HX has no memory bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Intel Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename with the generation listed as Core 7 (Bartlett Lake). The Intel Core i9-14900HX uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-HX codename, and its generation is listed as Core i9 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh).

Both are built on Intel's 10 nm process and fabricated by Intel. The die sizes differ meaningfully: the 251TE measures 215 mm², while the i9-14900HX measures 257 mm². That larger die reflects a different physical design despite the identical core count.

The cache hierarchy is mostly shared. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The L2 cache differs: the 251TE has 1.25 MB per core, while the i9-14900HX has 2 MB per core. That is a 60% larger per-core L2 allocation for the mobile part, which may contribute to its multi-threaded performance advantage.

Both processors integrate UHD Graphics 770 and support PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory. The memory bandwidth figure of 89.6 GB/s appears only for the 251TE; the database does not record a corresponding figure for the i9-14900HX.

The market segments differ. The 251TE is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, while the i9-14900HX is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1964. The i9-14900HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the 251TE does not. The production status for both is listed as Active.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical: 24 cores and 32 threads for both. The base clocks differ, with the 251TE running at 1.40 GHz and the i9-14900HX at 2.20 GHz. The boost clocks also differ: 5.40 GHz for the 251TE versus 5.80 GHz for the i9-14900HX.

The thermal design power differs by 10 watts. The 251TE is rated at 45 W TDP, while the i9-14900HX is rated at 55 W TDP.

The sockets are not interchangeable. The 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the i9-14900HX uses Intel BGA 1964. The latter is a mobile socket, which aligns with the i9-14900HX's mobile market segment.

The L2 cache differs: 1.25 MB per core for the 251TE versus 2 MB per core for the i9-14900HX. L1 and L3 caches are the same.

The memory bandwidth is recorded only for the 251TE at 89.6 GB/s. The i9-14900HX has no memory bandwidth entry in the database.

The multiplier unlock status differs. The i9-14900HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the 251TE does not.

The release dates differ by roughly one year. The i9-14900HX was released on 2024-01-07, and the 251TE was released on 2025-01-12.

The launch MSRP is available only for the 251TE at $384. The database lists no launch MSRP for the i9-14900HX.

The part numbers differ: SRQAXQ5ZG for the 251TE and SRMXF for the i9-14900HX.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i9-14900HX dominates the multi-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 4574 against 2572, a 43.8% lead. In Cinebench R20 multicore, it scores 15616 against 10717, a 31.4% lead. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 30055 against 25518, a 15.1% lead. The margin narrows as the workload becomes more modern, but the direction stays consistent.

The single-core Cinebench results tell a different story. The 251TE wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 362 versus 310.5, a 16.6% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i9-14900HX flips the result, scoring 2204 against 1512, a 31.4% lead. Then in Cinebench R23 single-core, the 251TE reasserts itself with 3602 versus 2181.5, a 65.1% lead. The pattern is inconsistent across the three Cinebench versions, which suggests the two processors respond differently to the workload characteristics of each test generation.

The Passmark suite is uniformly in favor of the i9-14900HX. Data compression shows 539965 versus 334399, a 38.1% lead. Data encryption shows 32619 versus 22176, a 32% lead. Extended instructions show 31247 versus 16974, a 45.7% lead. Find prime numbers shows 193 versus 140, a 27.5% lead. Floating point math shows 112273 versus 85607, a 23.8% lead. Integer math shows 157375 versus 125739, a 20.1% lead. Multithread shows 43778 versus 30022, a 31.4% lead. Physics shows 2638 versus 1938, a 26.5% lead. Random string sorting shows 60861 versus 39643, a 34.9% lead. Single-thread shows 4175 versus 3568, a 14.5% lead.

The i9-14900HX also has Geekbench results recorded in its individual benchmark list: 17511 multicore and 2330 singlecore. The 251TE has no Geekbench entries in its individual benchmark list, so no head-to-head comparison is possible for that suite.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-14900HX wins in every Passmark workload category recorded. That includes compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread. It also wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests and the Cinebench R20 single-core test. The data indicates the i9-14900HX is the stronger processor for data-heavy, compute-heavy, and mixed workloads.

The 251TE wins only in Cinebench R15 single-core and Cinebench R23 single-core. The R23 result is particularly striking: 3602 versus 2181.5 is a 65.1% advantage, the largest margin in either direction across the entire head-to-head set. For workloads that resemble Cinebench R23 single-core, the 251TE has a clear edge.

The use-case split follows the benchmark distribution. The i9-14900HX suits workloads that stress multi-threading, data compression, encryption, and extended instruction sets. Its 55 W TDP and mobile socket place it in high-performance laptops. The 251TE suits workloads that reward its specific single-core behavior in newer Cinebench versions. Its 45 W TDP and desktop socket place it in desktop systems where that single-thread profile matters.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the split. The i9-14900HX averages 56004, placing it at the 91st percentile. The 251TE averages 41650, placing it at the 88th percentile. The i9-14900HX sits near processors like the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX, while the 251TE sits near the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H and the Intel Core i7-14650HX. The performance class difference is clear from the data.