Intel Core i9-14901E vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap between these two Intel processors. The Intel Core i9-14901E wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V takes only a single test.

The largest margin comes in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the i9-14901E scores 25,753 against 10,399 for the Ultra 7 256V, a 147.6% advantage. This is the clearest demonstration of the desktop chip's multi-threaded dominance. Passmark integer math shows a similar story with a 160% delta, as the i9-14901E posts 112,736 versus 43,358.

Cinebench R20 results show a 55.4% lead for the i9-14901E in both multicore (10,816 vs 6,958) and singlecore (1,526 vs 982) tests. The R15 run confirms the pattern with a 63.9% multicore win (2,595 vs 1,583.5) and a 28.2% singlecore win (366 vs 285.5).

The i9-14901E holds a 93.6% advantage in Cinebench R23 singlecore, scoring 3,635 against 1,877.5. Passmark physics shows a 90.7% gap (3,041 vs 1,595), and random string sorting comes in at 74.1% (39,138 vs 22,481). Data compression favors the i9-14901E by 56.1% (288,777 vs 184,985), while data encryption shows a 32.7% lead (18,571 vs 13,998).

Floating point math gives the i9-14901E a 38.4% edge (81,089 vs 58,576), and extended instructions land at 10.3% (17,249 vs 15,643). Passmark multithread shows a 55.1% gap (30,298 vs 19,530). In single-thread performance, the i9-14901E leads by 8.1% in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, scoring 4,354 against 4,029.

The sole win for the Ultra 7 256V comes in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where it scores 192 against 189, a margin of 1.6%. This is a narrow result and does not offset the broader pattern.

In average benchmark score, the i9-14901E records 37,911 and sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs. The Ultra 7 256V averages 21,112 and lands at the 75th percentile. The i9-14901E's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (average 37,904, 0% delta) and AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (average 37,943, -0.1% delta). The Ultra 7 256V sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U (average 21,133, -0.1% delta) and AMD Ryzen 5 5600G (average 21,088, 0.1% delta).

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i9-14901E as the stronger processor in nearly every measurable workload. Its 16 benchmark wins include all Cinebench tests, all Passmark math and memory-oriented tests, and both single-thread measurements. The 147.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore is the standout result, indicating a substantial advantage for heavily threaded rendering tasks.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is not without merit, but its performance profile is defined by efficiency rather than raw throughput. Its 17W TDP versus the i9-14901E's 65W TDP reflects a fundamentally different design goal. The Ultra 7 256V is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2833, while the i9-14901E is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700. These are not competing in the same physical or thermal envelope.

For users building a desktop system with consistent AC power and a capable cooler, the i9-14901E is the clear choice based on the recorded scores. For portable or low-power systems, the Ultra 7 256V offers the only realistic option between the two, given its mobile socket and lower TDP. The data does not suggest the Ultra 7 256V can match the i9-14901E in sustained compute-heavy work.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14901E wins in all multicore-heavy scenarios. Cinebench R23 multicore (25,753 vs 10,399), Cinebench R20 multicore (10,816 vs 6,958), and Cinebench R15 multicore (2,595 vs 1,583.5) all favor the desktop chip by wide margins. Passmark multithread (30,298 vs 19,530) and integer math (112,736 vs 43,358) confirm this pattern. Rendering, video encoding, compilation, and data processing tasks will benefit from the i9-14901E's 16 threads versus the Ultra 7 256V's 8 threads.

Single-core performance also favors the i9-14901E, though by smaller margins. The R23 singlecore gap is 93.6%, while Passmark single-thread shows only 8.1%. This means the i9-14901E still holds an advantage in lightly threaded applications like older games or legacy software, but the difference narrows considerably.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V takes the passmark_find_prime_numbers test with a 1.6% edge. This is a narrow win in a single algorithm and does not indicate a broader pattern of superiority. The Ultra 7 256V also carries integrated Arc 140V graphics, which is a feature the i9-14901E's UHD Graphics 770 does not match for GPU-accelerated workloads, though the benchmark data does not include graphics tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E boosts to 5.60 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V reaches 4.80 GHz.

Q: How many threads does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E has 16 threads across 8 cores, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has 8 threads across 8 cores.

Q: Which CPU is ahead in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E scores 25,753, which is 147.6% ahead of the Ultra 7 256V's 10,399.

Q: Does the Ultra 7 256V win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins passmark_find_prime_numbers with a score of 192 versus the i9-14901E's 189, a 1.6% margin.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E has a 65W TDP, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has a 17W TDP.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i9-14901E supports ECC memory. The Ultra 7 256V does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures. The i9-14901E uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry. The Ultra 7 256V uses Lunar Lake, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. This node difference explains part of the power efficiency gap: the Ultra 7 256V operates at 17W TDP versus 65W for the i9-14901E.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The i9-14901E provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 256V has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and only 12 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 on the desktop part helps explain its strong multicore results, particularly in data-heavy Passmark tests.

The i9-14901E supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 7 256V's memory support depends on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The i9-14901E offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 7 256V provides PCIe Gen 5 with only 4 lanes from the CPU. This limits the mobile chip's expandability for discrete GPUs or NVMe storage.

ECC memory is supported on the i9-14901E but not on the Ultra 7 256V. The i9-14901E uses UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics, while the Ultra 7 256V uses Arc 140V. Both lack an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not officially supported on either part.

The i9-14901E is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, released in June 2024. The Ultra 7 256V is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2833, released in September 2024. Both are active production parts. The die size for the i9-14901E is 257 mm², while the database does not list a die size for the Ultra 7 256V.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several core specification fields. The i9-14901E has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The Ultra 7 256V has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. Both have 8 cores, but the i9-14901E supports 16 threads against 8 threads for the Ultra 7 256V.

TDP is a major divider: 65W for the desktop part versus 17W for the mobile part. The sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1700 for the i9-14901E, Intel BGA 2833 for the Ultra 7 256V. Process node and foundry also differ, with Intel's 10 nm process for the i9-14901E and TSMC's 3 nm process for the Ultra 7 256V.

Cache differs across all levels. The i9-14901E uses 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. The Ultra 7 256V uses 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. Memory support sees the i9-14901E accepting DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 256V's support depends on the motherboard. ECC memory is present only on the i9-14901E.

PCIe lane counts differ: 16 Gen 5 lanes for the i9-14901E versus 4 Gen 5 lanes for the Ultra 7 256V. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 on the desktop part and Arc 140V on the mobile part. The market segment differs (Desktop vs Mobile), and the release dates are June 2024 for the i9-14901E and September 2024 for the Ultra 7 256V.