Intel Core i9-14901E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 238V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive sweep for the Intel Core i9-14901E, which wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The largest margin comes in PassMark integer math, where the i9-14901E scores 112736 against 38889 for the Core Ultra 5 238V, a 189.9% advantage. This is the single biggest gap in the comparison and indicates a fundamental difference in how the two processors handle integer workloads.

Cinebench results follow a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i9-14901E scores 25753 versus 15645 for the Ultra 5 238V, a 64.6% lead. The single-core R23 test shows the same delta: 3635 against 2208, also 64.6% ahead. This consistency extends across all three Cinebench versions. R15 multicore shows 2595 versus 1576 (64.7%), R20 multicore shows 10816 versus 6570 (64.6%), and every single-core variant lands at roughly the same 64.6% to 64.9% margin.

The physics test reveals another large gap. The i9-14901E posts 3041 in PassMark physics, while the Ultra 5 238V manages 1546, a 96.7% difference. Random string sorting shows an 81.3% delta, with scores of 39138 and 21585 respectively. Data compression favors the i9-14901E by 63.6%, with 288777 against 176532.

Some tests show closer competition. The smallest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the i9-14901E scores 189 and the Ultra 5 238V scores 174, an 8.6% edge. Single-thread performance is also relatively tight: 4354 versus 3890, an 11.9% lead for the i9-14901E. Extended instructions show a 12.2% gap, with scores of 17249 and 15377. Data encryption sits in the middle at 42.1%, with 18571 versus 13072.

The average benchmark score reflects this overall dominance. The i9-14901E averages 37911, placing it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs. The Ultra 5 238V averages 21981, which lands in the 75th percentile. The i9-14901E sits alongside the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (37904, 0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (37943, -0.1% delta). The Ultra 5 238V matches the Intel Core i7-11700F (21988, 0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X (21992, 0% delta). The i9-14901E is roughly 72% higher in average benchmark score.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from completely different design philosophies. The Intel Core i9-14901E uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The Core Ultra 5 238V uses Lunar Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. This process difference is significant: the Lunar Lake chip is on a node three generations ahead in terms of lithography.

Both chips have 8 cores, but the thread counts diverge. The i9-14901E supports 16 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the Ultra 5 238V has 8 threads with no simultaneous multithreading. This explains part of the multicore performance gap, though not all of it, since the single-core tests also favor the i9-14901E.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The i9-14901E uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 238V uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but only 8 MB of shared L3. The i9-14901E has 4.5 times the L3 cache, which helps with workloads that reuse data across cores.

Clock speeds tell a similar story. The i9-14901E has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and boosts to 5.60 GHz. The Ultra 5 238V has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and boosts to 4.70 GHz. The i9-14901E has a 900 MHz higher boost clock, contributing to its single-thread advantage.

Memory and platform support also differ. The i9-14901E supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus, includes ECC support, and uses Intel Socket 1700. The Ultra 5 238V uses a dual-channel bus but its memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard, with no ECC capability. It uses Intel BGA 2833, a soldered mobile socket. PCIe lanes differ as well: the i9-14901E provides 16 CPU lanes on Gen 5, while the Ultra 5 238V provides 4 CPU lanes on Gen 5.

Power envelopes are drastically different. The i9-14901E has a 65 W TDP, suitable for desktop cooling. The Ultra 5 238V draws 17 W, reflecting its mobile design. The integrated graphics also differ: the i9-14901E includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 5 238V includes Arc 130V. The i9-14901E has a die size of 257 mm², while the Ultra 5 238V's die size is not recorded.

Where Each One Wins

The data points to a clear use-case split, though the i9-14901E wins every recorded test. The i9-14901E dominates in heavily multithreaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25753 and PassMark multithread score of 30298 show it handles parallel rendering, compilation, and scientific computing far better. The 189.9% lead in integer math makes it the obvious choice for code compilation, financial modeling, and any task that processes large amounts of integer data. The 96.7% physics advantage suggests better performance in simulation and physics-based applications.

The Ultra 5 238V does not win any benchmark, but its profile suggests a different role. Its 17 W TDP and BGA 2833 socket place it in thin-and-light laptops. The single-thread gap is smaller at 11.9%, and the find prime numbers test is close at 8.6%. For everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and light productivity, the Ultra 5 238V would deliver acceptable performance while consuming far less power. Its Arc 130V integrated graphics likely handle media playback and basic GPU tasks, though the data does not include graphics benchmarks.

The i9-14901E also wins in single-thread tasks by 64.6% in Cinebench R23 and 11.9% in PassMark single-thread. This means even lightly threaded applications like older games or single-threaded productivity tools will run faster on the desktop chip. The data encryption test shows a 42.1% gap, indicating the i9-14901E handles encryption workloads better, though the Ultra 5 238V is not crippled in this area.

For users who prioritize low power consumption and portability, the Ultra 5 238V has no desktop counterpart in this comparison. Its 17 W envelope allows fanless or ultra-quiet designs. For users who prioritize raw performance, especially in multithreaded or integer-heavy tasks, the i9-14901E is clearly superior.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multicore performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E wins all multicore tests. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 25753 versus 15645, a 64.6% advantage. PassMark multithread shows 30298 versus 18407, also 64.6%.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: It depends on the benchmark. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 3635 versus 2208, a 64.6% lead for the i9-14901E. PassMark single-thread shows 4354 versus 3890, an 11.9% lead.

Q: Do both processors have 8 cores?

A: Yes, both have 8 cores. However, the i9-14901E supports 16 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the Ultra 5 238V supports only 8 threads.

Q: What process nodes do these chips use?

A: The i9-14901E uses Intel's 10 nm process. The Ultra 5 238V uses TSMC's 3 nm process.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The i9-14901E has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 238V has 8 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 238V has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches: 192 KB and 2.5 MB per core versus 80 KB and 2 MB per core.

Q: What are the power requirements?

A: The i9-14901E has a 65 W TDP. The Ultra 5 238V has a 17 W TDP.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-14901E | Intel Core Ultra 5 238V |

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

| Cores | 8 | 8 |

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| Base clock | 2.80 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.60 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 17 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Lunar Lake |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| L1 cache | 80 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 2 MB per core | 2.5 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 36 MB shared | 8 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | Depends on motherboard |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 4 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc 130V |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2024-06-30 | 2024-09-23 |

| Die size | 257 mm² | Not recorded |

The Verdict

The Intel Core i9-14901E is the stronger processor in every benchmark recorded. Its 17-0 win tally, 64.6% average multicore lead, and 189.9% integer math advantage make it the choice for performance-critical desktop workloads. The 86th percentile ranking places it among high-end desktop parts, comparable to AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and Ryzen 7 9700X. Its 65 W TDP, 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, ECC support, and DDR4/DDR5 compatibility suit a desktop build where power is not the primary constraint.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V serves a different purpose entirely. Its 17 W TDP and BGA 2833 socket target mobile systems. The 75th percentile ranking puts it in the same class as the Intel Core i7-11700F and AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, both older desktop parts. The 8 MB L3 cache and 8 threads limit its multicore potential, but the 3 nm TSMC process and larger per-core caches show a design focused on efficiency within a tight power envelope.

The data indicates that the i9-14901E is for users who need maximum throughput in as many workloads as possible. The Ultra 5 238V is for users who accept lower absolute performance in exchange for minimal power draw. No benchmark in the database favors the Ultra 5 238V, so anyone selecting it must prioritize the mobile form factor and efficiency profile over raw compute capability.