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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between these two mobile processors. The Intel Core i9-14900HX and the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H each claim victories in different workload categories, with the final tally showing 9 wins for the Ultra X9 and 8 wins for the i9.

The i9-14900HX dominates multi-threaded integer workloads. Its most decisive victory comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 157375 against 92603, a 69.9% advantage. Data compression shows a similar pattern, with the i9 leading 539965 to 386591, a 39.7% gap. Random string sorting also favors the i9 by 36.3%, with scores of 60861 versus 44648. Data encryption goes to the i9 as well, though by a narrower 9.3% margin (32619 versus 29840).

Cinebench results paint a more nuanced picture. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9 posts 4574 against 3281, a 39.4% lead. The gap narrows in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i9 wins 15616 to 13672, a 14.2% advantage. PassMark multi-thread confirms this trend, with the i9 ahead 43778 to 38298, also by 14.3%.

The Ultra X9 378H counters with impressive single-thread results. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4595 dwarfs the i9's 2181.5, representing a 52.5% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core shows the Ultra ahead 462 to 310.5, a 32.8% lead. Even in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i9 wins, the margin is modest at 14.3% (2204 versus 1929).

The Ultra X9 also wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core, posting 32553 against 30055, a 7.7% lead. This result is notable because the i9 wins the older R15 and R20 multi-core tests but loses the newer R23 version. PassMark physics favors the Ultra X9 by 22.5% (3404 versus 2638), and find prime numbers shows the Ultra ahead 357 to 193, a 45.9% margin. Floating point math goes to the Ultra by a slim 1.9% (114500 versus 112273), and extended instructions are nearly tied, with the Ultra ahead by just 0.2% (31315 versus 31247). PassMark single-thread also goes to the Ultra, 4453 versus 4175, a 6.2% edge.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14900HX is the choice for workloads that scale with core count and heavy integer processing. Its 24 cores and 32 threads give it a structural advantage in parallel compute tasks. The PassMark integer math result, with a 69.9% lead, indicates strong performance in general computation, compilation, and simulation workloads. Data compression and random string sorting wins suggest efficiency in database operations and data processing pipelines. The i9 also holds the edge in data encryption, which matters for security-focused applications.

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H excels in single-threaded responsiveness and specific mathematical workloads. The 52.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is substantial, indicating better per-core efficiency. This translates to faster application launch times and better performance in lightly threaded software. The Ultra's win in PassMark physics (22.5% ahead) points to advantages in simulation and physics-based calculations. Its 45.9% lead in find prime numbers suggests strong integer arithmetic per core. The floating point math win, though narrow, shows competitive performance in scientific computing. The Ultra also delivers superior Cinebench R23 multi-core performance despite having fewer cores, which indicates better thermal management or architectural efficiency under sustained load.

Architecture Differences

These processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The i9-14900HX uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node from Intel. It features 24 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. The thermal design power is 55 watts. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size measures 257 mm².

The Ultra X9 378H uses Panther Lake architecture on a 3 nm process node, also from Intel. It has 16 cores and 16 threads, with no hyperthreading. Base clock is 2.00 GHz and boost clock is 5.00 GHz. The thermal design power is significantly lower at 25 watts. Cache configuration differs notably: 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. No die size data is recorded for this part.

The process node difference is significant. The 3 nm node allows the Ultra X9 to achieve higher single-core clock efficiency with a lower power envelope. The i9's 10 nm node requires more power to reach its higher boost clock. The i9's larger L3 cache (36 MB versus 18 MB) benefits multi-threaded workloads with shared data. The Ultra's larger per-core L2 cache (2.5 MB versus 2 MB) aids single-thread performance by keeping more data close to each core.

Memory support also differs. The i9 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The Ultra X9 supports only LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s. The i9 has no bandwidth figure recorded. ECC memory is supported on the i9 but not on the Ultra X9.

PCIe connectivity varies. The i9 provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Ultra X9 offers Gen 5 with only 4 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i9 uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra X9 features Arc B390. The sockets are different (Intel BGA 1964 for the i9, Intel BGA 2540 for the Ultra), meaning they are not interchangeable in the same motherboard. The i9 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ultra X9 is locked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H has 16 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How do their single-core performances compare?

A: The Ultra X9 378H leads in most single-thread tests. It posts a 52.5% higher Cinebench R23 single-core score (4595 versus 2181.5) and a 32.8% higher Cinebench R15 single-core score (462 versus 310.5). PassMark single-thread shows the Ultra ahead by 6.2% (4453 versus 4175).

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The Ultra X9 378H has a thermal design power of 25 watts, while the i9-14900HX is rated at 55 watts. The Ultra achieves competitive or better single-core results with this lower power envelope.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The i9-14900HX supports ECC memory. The Ultra X9 378H does not.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The i9-14900HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The Ultra X9 378H supports LPDDR5X in dual-channel mode, with a recorded bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i9-14900HX has a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. The Ultra X9 378H has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category.

Core configuration: The i9-14900HX uses 24 cores and 32 threads. The Ultra X9 378H uses 16 cores and 16 threads.

Clock speeds: The i9 has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. The Ultra has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Power: The i9 has a TDP of 55 watts. The Ultra has a TDP of 25 watts.

Socket: The i9 uses Intel BGA 1964. The Ultra uses Intel BGA 2540.

Process node: The i9 is built on 10 nm. The Ultra is built on 3 nm.

Cache: The i9 has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. The Ultra has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3.

Memory: The i9 supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Ultra supports LPDDR5X. The Ultra records 153.6 GB/s memory bandwidth; the i9 has no bandwidth figure. ECC memory is available on the i9 but not the Ultra.

PCIe: The i9 provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The Ultra provides Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics: The i9 uses UHD Graphics 770. The Ultra uses Arc B390.

Multiplier: The i9 has an unlocked multiplier. The Ultra is locked.

Release date: The i9 was released on 2024-01-07. The Ultra was released on 2026-04-03.

Average benchmark score: The i9 records 56004. The Ultra records 47468. The i9 sits at the 91st percentile of all CPUs; the Ultra sits at the 89th percentile.

Nearest rivals differ as well. The i9's closest competitor is the Intel Core 7 253PQE at 0.2% lower score, followed by the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 at 0.5% higher, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 470 at 0.5% higher, and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX at 1% higher. The Ultra's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 5945 at 0.1% lower, followed by the Intel Core i7-13700KF at 0.3% higher, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T at 0.5% lower, and the Intel Core i9-12900F at 0.6% higher.