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

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark data presents a completely one-sided picture. The Intel Core i9-14900KS wins all 17 recorded comparisons against the Intel Core 7 251TE, with zero wins for the 251TE. This is not a close contest by any measure. The 14900KS dominates in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads, across Cinebench render tests and PassMark computational tasks.

The 251TE does not hold a single advantage in any measured category. Its wins column is empty. The 14900KS shows particular strength in tasks that benefit from higher clock speeds and larger per-core cache. The single-thread PassMark score favors the 14900KS by 25.9 percent, while the Cinebench R23 single-core test shows a 50 percent gap. Multi-threaded workloads show an even more pronounced divide, with the 14900KS doubling the 251TE in several Cinebench runs.

For use-case segmentation, the data suggests the 251TE is positioned for efficiency-oriented systems, given its 45 watt TDP versus the 14900KS's 150 watt TDP. Both processors share the same 24-core, 32-thread configuration, so thread-count parity does not explain the performance gap. The difference comes from clock behavior and cache allocation. The 251TE operates with a 1.40 GHz base clock and 5.40 GHz boost, while the 14900KS runs at a 3.20 GHz base and 6.20 GHz boost. Every workload that depends on raw frequency lands decisively with the 14900KS.

The PassMark multithread score shows the 14900KS at 60012 against the 251TE's 30022, an exact 50 percent advantage. Integer math favors the 14900KS by 40.9 percent, floating point math by 44.4 percent, and extended instructions by 62.7 percent. Data compression is the largest gap at 58.4 percent, indicating the 14900KS handles memory-bound and cache-sensitive operations much faster. The 251TE does remain competitive in relative terms for prime number finding, where the gap narrows to 42.6 percent, but even that is a substantial deficit.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use Intel's 10 nm process node and are built by Intel's foundry. The socket is identical, Intel Socket 1700 for both. The die size differs, with the 251TE measuring 215 mm² and the 14900KS at 257 mm². The larger die on the 14900KS accommodates additional cache and higher clock infrastructure.

The codenames reveal distinct designs. The 251TE belongs to the Bartlett Lake family, while the 14900KS is part of Raptor Lake-R, under the Raptor Lake architecture. The 251TE is part of the Core 7 generation, and the 14900KS belongs to Core 14th Gen. Both are desktop market segments and both remain in active production.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core. The L2 cache shows divergence: the 251TE has 1.25 MB per core, while the 14900KS has 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is shared at 36 MB for both. The larger L2 allocation on the 14900KS contributes to its superior performance in cache-sensitive tasks like data compression and random string sorting.

Memory support is the same, DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel bus. The 251TE lists an 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth figure, while the 14900KS does not have a recorded bandwidth number in the database. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is identical, Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both integrate UHD Graphics 770.

The multiplier status differs. The 251TE has a locked multiplier, while the 14900KS is multiplier unlocked, allowing overclocking. The release dates are separated by roughly ten months, with the 251TE launching in January 2025 and the 14900KS in March 2024. The part numbers are distinct, SRQAXQ5ZG for the 251TE and SRN7R for the 14900KS.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows the 14900KS scoring 5140 against the 251TE's 2572, a 50 percent difference. The singlecore R15 run has the 14900KS at 725 and the 251TE at 362, a 50.1 percent gap. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the pattern, 21417 versus 10717, exactly 50 percent. The R20 singlecore score is 3023 versus 1512, again 50 percent.

Cinebench R23 multicore delivers 50995 for the 14900KS and 25518 for the 251TE, a 50 percent advantage. The R23 singlecore score is 7199 against 3602, also 50 percent. These uniform 50 percent deltas across all Cinebench versions indicate the 14900KS sustains roughly double the throughput in both single and multi-threaded render workloads.

PassMark data compression shows a larger relative gap. The 14900KS scores 803368, the 251TE scores 334399, a 58.4 percent difference. Data encryption favors the 14900KS at 47717 versus 22176, a 53.5 percent gap. Extended instructions produce the widest margin, 45524 versus 16974, a 62.7 percent difference. This suggests the 14900KS has substantially stronger SIMD and vector processing capabilities.

Prime number finding narrows the gap to 42.6 percent, with 244 versus 140. Floating point math shows the 14900KS at 153975 and the 251TE at 85607, a 44.4 percent difference. Integer math has the smallest relative gap at 40.9 percent, with 212644 versus 125739. The PassMark multithread score is exactly 50 percent, 60012 versus 30022. Physics simulation shows 3381 versus 1938, a 42.7 percent gap. Random string sorting delivers 89789 versus 39643, a 55.8 percent difference.

The single-thread PassMark scores show the smallest absolute gap, 4815 versus 3568, a 25.9 percent difference. This is notable because it indicates the 14900KS has a narrower but still clear advantage in lightly threaded workloads compared to heavily threaded ones. The 6.20 GHz boost clock and 2 MB per-core L2 cache likely drive this edge.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows the Intel Core i9-14900KS is the superior processor in every benchmark category. It wins all 17 head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 25.9 percent to 62.7 percent. The 14900KS sits at the 96th percentile among all CPUs, while the 251TE sits at the 88th percentile. The average benchmark score for the 14900KS is 81127, nearly double the 251TE's 41650.

The 251TE's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H with a 0.1 percent higher average score, the Intel Core i7-14650HX at 0.2 percent higher, and the Intel Core i7-12850HX at 0.3 percent lower. The 14900KS's nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon w5-3535X and AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX, both at 0 percent delta, with the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 at 0.5 percent higher and Intel Xeon 638 at 0.5 percent higher.

The launch MSRP for the 251TE is $384, and for the 14900KS it is $689. Both processors use the same socket, so platform compatibility is not a differentiator. The 251TE operates at a much lower TDP of 45 watts versus 150 watts, which indicates it is designed for power-constrained environments. The 14900KS requires substantially more power but delivers roughly double the performance in multi-threaded tasks.

The data suggests the 251TE serves systems where power draw and thermal output are primary concerns, while the 14900KS serves workloads that demand maximum throughput. The 251TE's locked multiplier and lower clocks make it a fixed-performance part, while the 14900KS's unlocked multiplier allows additional tuning. The 14900KS has a larger die and more L2 cache per core, contributing to its benchmark dominance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: Both have 24 cores and 32 threads. The core and thread counts are identical.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark extended instructions, where the 14900KS leads by 62.7 percent. The smallest gap is in PassMark single-thread, at 25.9 percent.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory buses. Both also support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The 14900KS has a 6.20 GHz boost clock, while the 251TE has a 5.40 GHz boost clock. The base clocks are 3.20 GHz and 1.40 GHz, respectively.

Q: Are these processors on the same socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1700. The PCIe configuration is also identical, Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The 14900KS has an average benchmark score of 81127, placing it at the 96th percentile. The 251TE has an average score of 41650, placing it at the 88th percentile.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core 7 251TE | Intel Core i9-14900KS |

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

| Series | None listed | Core 14th Gen |

| Base Clock | 1.40 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 6.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 150 W |

| Architecture | None listed | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-R |

| Generation | Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) | Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| Release Date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-03-13 |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | $689 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRQAXQ5ZG | SRN7R |