Intel Core i9-14901E vs Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor delivers the higher single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E is decisively ahead in every recorded single-thread test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 3635 versus 1234 for the Core Ultra 3 105UL, a 194.6% advantage. PassMark single-thread results show 4354 versus 3382, a 28.7% lead.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap between the two?

A: The i9-14901E wins all multi-threaded workloads by roughly 163.7% to 329.5%. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 25753 versus 8742, a 194.6% difference. PassMark multithread scores are 30298 versus 10285, also a 194.6% gap.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: Both have 8 cores. The i9-14901E supports 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL supports 10 threads. The i9 achieves its higher thread count through Hyper-Threading, while the Ultra 3 has a more limited thread configuration.

Q: Do these processors use the same socket?

A: No. The i9-14901E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL uses Intel Socket 1851. This means they are not drop-in compatible with each other and require different motherboards.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i9-14901E boosts to 5.60 GHz, compared to 4.20 GHz for the Core Ultra 3 105UL. The base clocks are 2.80 GHz and 1.50 GHz, respectively.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The i9-14901E includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL includes Arc Xe-LPG 48EU. The database does not record graphics benchmark scores for either, so no performance comparison can be made from this data.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-14901E is built on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R variant, using a 10 nm process node from Intel. The Core Ultra 3 105UL uses Meteor Lake architecture, specifically Meteor Lake-PS, on a 7 nm process node. The smaller process node for the Ultra 3 does not translate into performance advantages in the recorded benchmarks, as the i9 dominates.

The i9-14901E has a die size of 257 mm², while the Ultra 3's die size is not recorded in the database. Cache configurations differ notably. The i9 allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 3 allocates 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, but only 10 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 cache on the i9 is a significant architectural advantage for workloads that benefit from shared data.

Memory support differs as well. The i9-14901E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 3 supports DDR5 with the note that support depends on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Ultra 3 records a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s; the i9's memory bandwidth is not recorded.

ECC memory support is another distinguishing factor. The i9-14901E supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL does not. This positions the i9 for reliability-sensitive workloads.

PCIe connectivity also separates the two. The i9-14901E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 3 provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The i9 offers both a newer PCIe generation and double the lane count.

The integrated graphics differ as noted: UHD Graphics 770 on the i9 versus Arc Xe-LPG 48EU on the Ultra 3. Both are active production parts. The i9 was released on 2024-06-30, while the Ultra 3 was released earlier on 2024-04-07.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a sweep: the i9-14901E wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with zero wins for the Core Ultra 3 105UL. The margins vary from a modest 28.7% to a massive 329.5%.

Starting with Cinebench results, the i9-14901E posts 2595 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 881 for the Ultra 3, a 194.6% lead. Single-core R15 shows 366 versus 124, a 195.2% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core gives 10816 versus 3671, and R20 single-core gives 1526 versus 518, both at 194.6% deltas. Cinebench R23 follows the same pattern: 25753 versus 8742 in multi-core, 3635 versus 1234 in single-core, again 194.6% deltas.

PassMark integer math shows 112736 versus 41171, a 173.8% advantage for the i9. Floating point math shows 81089 versus 30750, a 163.7% lead. The largest single margin comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where the i9 scores 189 versus 44, a 329.5% difference. PassMark physics shows 3041 versus 718, a 323.5% lead.

Data compression favors the i9 heavily: 288777 versus 93961, a 207.3% delta. Extended instructions show 17249 versus 5634, a 206.2% lead. Random string sorting shows 39138 versus 11179, a 250.1% margin. Data encryption gives 18571 versus 6354, a 192.3% delta.

The narrowest gap is in PassMark single-thread performance, where the i9 scores 4354 versus 3382, a 28.7% lead. This still represents a clear single-thread win, but it is much closer than the multi-threaded results. The i9's high boost clock of 5.60 GHz helps, but the Ultra 3's 4.20 GHz boost is not enough to close the gap.

PassMark multithread confirms the overall trend: 30298 versus 10285, a 194.6% delta. The average benchmark score tells the same story: 37911 for the i9 versus 13061 for the Ultra 3. The i9 sits in the 86th percentile among all CPUs, while the Ultra 3 sits in the 68th percentile.

The Verdict

The data makes the choice straightforward for performance-oriented buyers. The i9-14901E wins every single recorded benchmark, with most margins exceeding 190% and several exceeding 300%. Its average benchmark score of 37911 is roughly three times the Ultra 3's 13061. The i9 also ranks in the 86th percentile versus the Ultra 3's 68th percentile.

Nearest rival comparisons reinforce this. The i9-14901E's closest competitors include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with an average score of 37904 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X at 37943 (-0.1% delta), and the Intel Core 5 211E at 37829 (0.2% delta). This places the i9 in a performance class far above the Ultra 3.

The Ultra 3 105UL's nearest rivals are older or lower-tier parts: the Intel Core i5-9400F at 13041 (0.2% delta), the Intel Core i7-10750H at 13024 (0.3% delta), and the Intel Core i5-8500 at 13142 (-0.6% delta). Its average score of 13061 aligns with these parts, not with the i9's league.

The i9-14901E is the clear choice for compute-heavy workloads such as rendering, encoding, and multi-threaded productivity. Its 16 threads, 36 MB L3 cache, Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, and ECC memory support make it suitable for demanding desktop applications. The Ultra 3's lower 15 W TDP and smaller footprint suggest it is oriented toward efficiency, but the recorded benchmark data shows no workload where it outperforms the i9.

The single-thread gap of 28.7% is the closest contest, but it still favors the i9. For users who prioritize raw performance and can accommodate the higher 65 W TDP, the i9-14901E is the superior processor in every measurable category. The Ultra 3's advantages, such as a smaller process node and newer architecture generation, do not materialize into benchmark wins.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field.

Cores and Threads: Both have 8 cores. The i9-14901E has 16 threads; the Core Ultra 3 105UL has 10 threads.

Clock Speeds: The i9-14901E has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The Ultra 3 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz.

TDP: The i9-14901E is rated at 65 W. The Ultra 3 is rated at 15 W.

Socket: The i9-14901E uses Intel Socket 1700. The Ultra 3 uses Intel Socket 1851.

Architecture and Process: The i9-14901E uses Raptor Lake on a 10 nm node. The Ultra 3 uses Meteor Lake on a 7 nm node.

Die Size: The i9-14901E has a die size of 257 mm². The Ultra 3's die size is not recorded.

Cache: The i9-14901E has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. The Ultra 3 has 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 10 MB shared L3.

Memory Support: The i9-14901E supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Ultra 3 supports DDR5, with support depending on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory. The Ultra 3 records 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth; the i9's bandwidth is not recorded.

ECC Memory: The i9-14901E supports ECC. The Ultra 3 does not.

PCIe: The i9-14901E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Ultra 3 provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated Graphics: The i9-14901E includes UHD Graphics 770. The Ultra 3 includes Arc Xe-LPG 48EU.

Release Date: The i9-14901E was released on 2024-06-30. The Ultra 3 was released on 2024-04-07.

Part Number: The i9-14901E has part number Q49ESRNJH. The Ultra 3 has part number SRN9D.

Launch MSRP: The Ultra 3 has a launch MSRP of $295. The i9-14901E has no recorded launch MSRP.

Multiplier: Both are locked (multiplier unlocked is false for each).