Intel Core i7-14701E vs Intel Core i9-14900HX Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a clear performance split between these two Intel Core 14th Gen parts. The Intel Core i9-14900HX wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i7-14701E wins 4. The i9-14900HX holds a decisive advantage in multi-threaded workloads, with the average benchmark score of 56004 versus 33206 for the i7-14701E. The i9-14900HX also ranks in the 91st percentile among all CPUs, compared to the 83rd percentile for the i7-14701E.

The i7-14701E is the choice for workloads that depend on single-core performance and low power draw. It wins the Cinebench R23 single-core test by 43.6% and the Passmark single-thread test by 3.1%. Its 65 W TDP is higher than the i9-14900HX's 55 W TDP, though the i9 is a mobile part with a different socket. The i7-14701E is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, while the i9-14900HX is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1964.

The i9-14900HX is the better choice for multi-core rendering, data compression, encryption, and floating-point math. Its 24 cores and 32 threads dwarf the i7-14701E's 8 cores and 16 threads. The i9 also has a larger L3 cache (36 MB shared versus 33 MB shared) and a higher boost clock (5.80 GHz versus 5.40 GHz). The i9-14900HX is unlocked, while the i7-14701E is locked.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use Intel's Raptor Lake architecture and are fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process node. The die size for both is 257 mm². The i7-14701E has the codename Raptor Lake-R and belongs to the Raptor Lake Refresh generation, while the i9-14900HX carries the codename Raptor Lake-HX and belongs to the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh generation.

The core configurations differ substantially. The i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads. The i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads. Both have an L1 cache of 80 KB per core and an L2 cache of 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is 33 MB shared on the i7-14701E and 36 MB shared on the i9-14900HX.

The base clock on the i7-14701E is 2.60 GHz, while the i9-14900HX has a base clock of 2.20 GHz. The boost clock favors the i9-14900HX at 5.80 GHz versus 5.40 GHz. Memory support is identical: both accept DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is also the same, with Gen 5 and 16 lanes from the CPU. Both integrate UHD Graphics 770.

The market segments differ. The i7-14701E targets desktop systems with a 65 W TDP, while the i9-14900HX targets mobile systems with a 55 W TDP. The i9-14900HX has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i7-14701E does not. Both processors are currently Active in production status. The i9-14900HX was released earlier, on 2024-01-07, while the i7-14701E came later on 2024-06-30.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The multi-core Cinebench results show the i9-14900HX with a commanding lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9 scores 4574 against 2237 for the i7, a delta of -51.1% from the i7's perspective. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 15616 versus 9321, a -40.3% delta. Cinebench R23 multi-core narrows the gap somewhat: 30055 versus 22195, a -26.2% delta.

Single-core results are mixed across Cinebench versions. The i7-14701E wins Cinebench R23 single-core by a wide margin, scoring 3133 versus 2181.5, a delta of 43.6%. However, the i9-14900HX wins Cinebench R20 single-core with 2204 versus 1315, a -40.3% delta. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7 wins narrowly with 315 versus 310.5, a 1.4% delta.

The Passmark suite shows consistent i9-14900HX dominance in multi-threaded and math-heavy tasks. Data compression scores 539965 for the i9 versus 282939 for the i7, a -47.6% delta. Data encryption shows 32619 versus 14862, a -54.4% delta. Extended instructions produce 31247 versus 18528, a -40.7% delta. Floating-point math scores 112273 versus 61873, a -44.9% delta. Integer math scores 157375 versus 81325, a -48.3% delta. Multithread scores 43778 versus 26112, a -40.4% delta. Random string sorting scores 60861 versus 29158, a -52.1% delta.

The i7-14701E wins the Passmark single-thread test with 4305 versus 4175, a 3.1% delta. The i9-14900HX wins the find prime numbers test with 193 versus 176, a -8.8% delta, and the physics test with 2638 versus 2399, a -9.1% delta.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX. It wins all multi-core Cinebench tests and all multi-threaded Passmark tests. Its average benchmark score is 56004 versus 33206 for the i7-14701E.

Q: Which processor has the better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701E wins the Cinebench R23 single-core test by 43.6% and the Passmark single-thread test by 3.1%. However, the i9-14900HX wins the Cinebench R20 single-core test by 40.3%.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads. The i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads.

Q: What sockets do these processors use?

A: The i7-14701E uses Intel Socket 1700 and is a desktop part. The i9-14900HX uses Intel BGA 1964 and is a mobile part.

Q: What is the L3 cache size on each?

A: The i7-14701E has 33 MB shared L3 cache. The i9-14900HX has 36 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The i9-14900HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-14701E does not.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-14900HX wins in data compression, scoring 539965 versus 282939, a 47.6% advantage. This makes it the stronger choice for file archiving and database workloads. Data encryption shows a 54.4% advantage for the i9, with 32619 versus 14862, indicating faster handling of encrypted storage or network traffic. Extended instructions favor the i9 by 40.7%, which helps in cryptography and SIMD-heavy applications.

Floating-point math favors the i9 by 44.9%, with 112273 versus 61873. Integer math favors the i9 by 48.3%, with 157375 versus 81325. These results point to the i9 being better for scientific computing, financial modeling, and any workload with heavy arithmetic. The multithread score of 43778 versus 26112, a 40.4% advantage, confirms the i9's strength in parallel workloads.

Random string sorting shows a 52.1% advantage for the i9, with 60861 versus 29158. This suggests better performance in sorting algorithms and text processing. The physics test favors the i9 by 9.1%, with 2638 versus 2399, indicating better simulation performance. Find prime numbers also favors the i9, with 193 versus 176, an 8.8% advantage.

The i7-14701E wins the Cinebench R23 single-core test by 43.6%, which indicates faster responsiveness in lightly-threaded applications. The Passmark single-thread win of 3.1% reinforces this. The i7 also wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test by 1.4%, though narrowly. These wins make the i7 the better pick for tasks that rely on a single core's clock speed.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count, with the i7-14701E at 8 cores and the i9-14900HX at 24 cores. Thread counts follow the same pattern: 16 threads for the i7, 32 threads for the i9. Base clock speeds differ at 2.60 GHz for the i7 and 2.20 GHz for the i9. Boost clock speeds differ at 5.40 GHz for the i7 and 5.80 GHz for the i9.

TDP ratings differ, with the i7-14701E at 65 W and the i9-14900HX at 55 W. The sockets are different: Intel Socket 1700 for the i7, Intel BGA 1964 for the i9. The market segments differ: Desktop for the i7, Mobile for the i9. The multiplier is locked on the i7 and unlocked on the i9.

L3 cache size differs, with 33 MB shared on the i7 and 36 MB shared on the i9. The release dates differ: 2024-01-07 for the i9-14900HX and 2024-06-30 for the i7-14701E. The generation labels differ: Core i7 (Raptor Lake Refresh) versus Core i9 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh). The part numbers also differ: Q49FSRNJK for the i7 and SRMXF for the i9.

The remaining specifications are identical: both use the 10 nm process node, 257 mm² die size, 80 KB L1 cache per core, 2 MB L2 cache per core, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, and UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics.