Intel Core i9-14901E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between these two desktop processors is unusually clean. The Intel Core i9-14901E wins 8 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 wins 9. That near-even split hides a strong functional division. The i9-14901E takes every Cinebench test, plus PassMark integer math and physics. The Core Ultra 5 235 takes every remaining PassMark workload, including single-thread, multithread, data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, and random string sorting.

For rendering and CPU physics workloads, the i9-14901E is the clear choice. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25753 versus 14769 for the Core Ultra 5 235 represents a 74.4% advantage. That margin repeats across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core variants, with deltas between 74.3% and 74.4%. The Core Ultra 5 235 cannot close that gap in any Cinebench test.

For general desktop responsiveness, the Core Ultra 5 235 leads in PassMark single-thread at 4516 versus 4354, a 3.6% edge. That is a modest but consistent win. The larger story appears in PassMark multithread, where the Core Ultra 5 235 scores 37816 against 30298, a 19.9% advantage despite having fewer threads. Data compression shows the biggest single win for the Core Ultra 5 235, scoring 390711 versus 288777, a 26.1% lead. Extended instructions show an even larger relative gap at 47.3%, with scores of 32752 versus 17249.

The i9-14901E counters with a 28.2% win in integer math, 112736 versus 87948, and an 18.3% win in physics, 3041 versus 2570. Those two wins, alongside the Cinebench sweep, indicate that the i9-14901E favors workloads with strong per-core integer execution and legacy rendering paths. The Core Ultra 5 235 favors modern instruction sets, floating point, and memory-heavy data tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and foundries. The i9-14901E uses Raptor Lake-R architecture on a 10 nm process from Intel, with a die size of 257 mm². The Core Ultra 5 235 uses Arrow Lake-S architecture on a 3 nm process from TSMC, with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors. The Core Ultra 5 235 also has a higher memory bandwidth figure of 102.4 GB/s, while the i9-14901E has no recorded memory bandwidth number.

Core counts differ substantially. The i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads, all presumably performance cores given the uniform cache layout. The Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. The i9-14901E has a higher boost clock at 5.60 GHz versus 5.00 GHz, and a lower base clock at 2.80 GHz versus 3.40 GHz. Both have a 65 W TDP.

Cache hierarchies are different in both capacity and organization. The i9-14901E has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 235 has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The i9-14901E has 50% more L3, while the Core Ultra 5 235 has larger per-core L1 and L2.

Memory support differs. The i9-14901E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel. The Core Ultra 5 235 supports DDR5 only, also dual-channel. ECC memory is supported on the i9-14901E but not on the Core Ultra 5 235. PCIe lanes differ: the i9-14901E has Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 235 has Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics also differ. The i9-14901E uses UHD Graphics 770. The Core Ultra 5 235 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU. Sockets are incompatible: the i9-14901E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 235 uses Intel Socket 1851. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Release dates place the i9-14901E at 2024-06-30 and the Core Ultra 5 235 at 2025-01-06.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are the most striking. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9-14901E scores 25753 versus 14769 for the Core Ultra 5 235, a 74.4% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 3635 versus 2085, a 74.3% delta. Cinebench R20 multi-core gives 10816 versus 6202, again 74.4%. Cinebench R20 single-core gives 1526 versus 875, 74.4%. Cinebench R15 multi-core gives 2595 versus 1488, 74.4%. Cinebench R15 single-core gives 366 versus 210, 74.3%. The consistency of these deltas across all six Cinebench tests suggests a fixed architectural advantage for the i9-14901E in that benchmark family, likely tied to its higher boost clock and larger L3.

PassMark results tell the opposite story. The Core Ultra 5 235 wins data compression 390711 to 288777, a 26.1% lead. Data encryption goes to the Core Ultra 5 235 at 29293 versus 18571, a 36.6% lead. Extended instructions show 32752 versus 17249, a 47.3% lead, the largest relative gap in the entire comparison. Find prime numbers favors the Core Ultra 5 235 at 371 versus 189, a 49.1% lead. Floating point math favors the Core Ultra 5 235 at 117951 versus 81089, a 31.3% lead. Random string sorting favors the Core Ultra 5 235 at 48980 versus 39138, a 20.1% lead. PassMark multithread favors the Core Ultra 5 235 at 37816 versus 30298, a 19.9% lead. PassMark single-thread favors the Core Ultra 5 235 at 4516 versus 4354, a 3.6% lead.

The i9-14901E wins two PassMark tests. Integer math goes to the i9-14901E at 112736 versus 87948, a 28.2% lead. Physics goes to the i9-14901E at 3041 versus 2570, an 18.3% lead. Those wins, combined with the Cinebench sweep, show the i9-14901E is not simply slower in all non-Cinebench work. It retains a clear edge in integer-heavy and physics simulation tasks.

The average benchmark scores put the two in different tiers. The i9-14901E has an average benchmark score of 37911 and sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs. The Core Ultra 5 235 has an average benchmark score of 46062 and sits at the 89th percentile. The Core Ultra 5 235's nearest rivals include AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 at 46030 (0.1% delta), Intel Core i9-13900HX at 46098 (-0.1% delta), AMD EPYC 4364P at 45970 (0.2% delta), and AMD EPYC 7303 at 45960 (0.2% delta). The i9-14901E's nearest rivals include AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 at 37904 (0% delta), AMD Ryzen 7 9700X at 37943 (-0.1% delta), Intel Core 5 211E at 37829 (0.2% delta), and AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 at 37804 (0.3% delta).

The Verdict

The data indicates two different usage profiles. The Intel Core i9-14901E is the stronger processor for Cinebench-style rendering, integer math, and physics simulation. Its 74.4% lead across all six Cinebench tests is decisive. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is the stronger processor for data compression, encryption, extended instruction workloads, floating point math, prime number finding, random string sorting, and overall PassMark multithread performance. Its 19.9% lead in PassMark multithread and 3.6% lead in single-thread suggest a better balance for general computing.

The Core Ultra 5 235 also has the higher average benchmark score, 46062 versus 37911, and the higher percentile ranking, 89 versus 86. That places it in a different competitive tier, alongside Intel Core i9-13900HX and AMD EPYC processors, whereas the i9-14901E sits alongside AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and Ryzen 7 9700X.

For users prioritizing rendering workloads, the i9-14901E is the clear pick. For users prioritizing data processing, encryption, and mixed desktop tasks, the Core Ultra 5 235 is the clear pick. The i9-14901E has the higher boost clock and more L3, plus ECC support and DDR4 compatibility. The Core Ultra 5 235 has more cores, a newer process node, larger per-core caches, higher memory bandwidth, and more PCIe lanes. The launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 5 235 is $257. The i9-14901E has no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 wins 9 of the 17 recorded tests, while the Intel Core i9-14901E wins 8.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark gap between the two?

A: The largest relative gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 5 235 scores 371 versus 189 for the i9-14901E, a 49.1% lead.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i9-14901E scores 25753 versus 14769 for the Core Ultra 5 235, a 74.4% advantage.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores and 14 threads. The i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The i9-14901E supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 235 does not.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The i9-14901E uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The Core Ultra 5 235 uses a 3 nm process from TSMC.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-14901E | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |

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

| Series | Core 14th Gen | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Arrow Lake-S |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 243 mm² |

| Cores | 8 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.60 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 36 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| TDP | 65 W | 65 W |

| Release Date | 2024-06-30 | 2025-01-06 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $257 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

| Part Number | Q49ESRNJH | SRQAS |