Intel Core i9-14901E vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus Comparison

The Intel Core i9-14901E and the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus represent two very different approaches to high-performance computing within Intel’s lineup. The Core i9-14901E is a desktop part built on the established Raptor Lake architecture, while the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is a mobile processor using the newer Arrow Lake-HX design. The benchmark data shows that the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus dominates across every single recorded metric, making the comparison less about close competition and more about understanding the scale of the performance gap.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity: the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins in all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with zero wins for the Intel Core i9-14901E. The margins, however, vary significantly depending on the workload type.

The most decisive victories for the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus appear in the PassMark extended instructions test, where it scores 39283 against the Core i9-14901E’s 17249, a delta of -56.1%. This indicates a massive advantage in workloads that leverage advanced instruction sets. Similarly, the PassMark find prime numbers test shows a -60.8% delta, with the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scoring 482 versus 189. This suggests a substantial lead in single-threaded integer operations, possibly reflecting the architectural efficiency of the newer core design.

In data encryption, the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scores 37813, which is a -50.9% delta over the Core i9-14901E’s 18571. Floating-point math also shows a large gap, with the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scoring 163567 compared to 81089, a -50.4% delta. These results point to a processor that can handle complex mathematical and cryptographic tasks at roughly double the speed.

The Cinebench suite, which is a strong indicator of rendering performance, shows a consistent pattern. Across R15, R20, and R23, both multicore and singlecore scores for the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus are exactly 38.6% higher than the Core i9-14901E. For example, in Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scores 41913 while the Core i9-14901E scores 25753. The singlecore R23 result is 5917 versus 3635. This uniform 38.6% delta across all Cinebench tests suggests a consistent per-core performance advantage in rendering workloads.

The smallest deltas are found in PassMark integer math and single-thread tests. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scores 122449 in integer math, only -7.9% ahead of the Core i9-14901E’s 112736. In the PassMark single-thread test, the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scores 4764 versus 4354, a -8.6% delta. This shows that in purely integer-heavy, single-threaded tasks, the older desktop chip is relatively competitive, despite the overall dominance of the newer mobile processor.

Other PassMark results for the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus include data compression at 493179 versus 288777 (-41.4%), multithread at 48270 versus 30298 (-37.2%), random string sorting at 60020 versus 39138 (-34.8%), and physics at 3843 versus 3041 (-20.9%). The average benchmark score further illustrates the gap: the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has an average of 61834, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core i9-14901E averages 37911, putting it in the 86th percentile.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has a significantly higher average benchmark score of 61834, compared to the Intel Core i9-14901E’s 37911.

Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scores 41913 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 38.6% higher than the Intel Core i9-14901E’s 25753.

Q: What is the closest benchmark result between the two processors?

A: The closest result is in the PassMark integer math test, where the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is only 7.9% ahead, scoring 122449 versus 112736.

Q: How do the processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: In the PassMark single-thread test, the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scores 4764, which is 8.6% higher than the Intel Core i9-14901E’s 4354. The Cinebench R23 singlecore test shows a larger gap, with scores of 5917 and 3635 respectively, a 38.6% difference.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus ranks in the 93rd percentile, while the Intel Core i9-14901E ranks in the 86th percentile.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the Intel Core i9-14901E wins?

A: No, the data shows zero wins for the Intel Core i9-14901E across all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins in every recorded benchmark category. This includes all Cinebench rendering tests (R15, R20, R23) in both multicore and singlecore modes. It also wins all PassMark tests: data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread.

Given this clean sweep, the use-case split is clear. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is the superior choice for any workload represented in the data. The largest deltas, such as the -60.8% in find prime numbers and -56.1% in extended instructions, suggest it is particularly well-suited for scientific computing, cryptography, and other tasks that rely on advanced instruction sets. Its strong performance in Cinebench (38.6% ahead in all tests) also makes it the better option for 3D rendering and video editing.

The Intel Core i9-14901E does not have a single benchmark win, but the data shows it is less disadvantaged in specific areas. Its smallest deltas are in PassMark integer math (-7.9%) and single-thread (-8.6%). This means that for general office productivity, legacy single-threaded applications, or integer-heavy database operations, the Core i9-14901E would deliver performance much closer to the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus. However, the data does not support a scenario where the Core i9-14901E is the better performer.

Specification Differences

The processors differ substantially in their core configurations. The Intel Core i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 20 cores and 20 threads. This means the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus lacks simultaneous multithreading, but compensates with a much higher physical core count.

Clock speeds show the Core i9-14901E has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has a lower base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The thermal design power also differs, with the Core i9-14901E rated at 65W and the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus rated at 55W.

The socket and market segment are distinct. The Core i9-14901E uses Intel Socket 1700 and is a desktop processor. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus uses Intel BGA 2114 and is a mobile processor. Memory support differs as well: the Core i9-14901E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus supports only DDR5. The memory bandwidth for the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is recorded as 102.4 GB/s, while the Core i9-14901E has no recorded bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported by the Core i9-14901E, but not by the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus.

PCIe lanes also differ. The Core i9-14901E has Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The integrated graphics are different, with the Core i9-14901E using UHD Graphics 770 and the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The multiplier is locked on the Core i9-14901E, but unlocked on the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus. Release dates are also different, with the Core i9-14901E released in 2024-06-30 and the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus in 2026-03-16.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is significant. The Intel Core i9-14901E is built on the Raptor Lake architecture, with the codename Raptor Lake-R, and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series. It uses a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename, belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, and is built on a 3 nm process node manufactured by TSMC. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus also has a recorded transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while the Core i9-14901E has a die size of 257 mm² and no recorded transistor count.

Cache hierarchies show notable differences. The Core i9-14901E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. While the Core i9-14901E has a larger L3 cache, the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus also has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Core i9-14901E does not.

The nearest rivals in the database place the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus alongside Intel’s Core i9-13900KF, i9-13900K, and i9-13900T, with delta percentages of 0%, 0.1%, and 0.2% respectively. The Core i9-14901E, by contrast, sits closest to AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (0% delta), Ryzen 7 9700X (-0.1%), and Intel Core 5 211E (0.2%). This places the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus in the performance tier of Intel’s previous-generation flagship desktop parts, while the Core i9-14901E competes more directly with AMD’s mainstream and AI-focused mobile chips.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus outperforms the Intel Core i9-14901E in every recorded test, making it the stronger processor for all workloads covered by the database. Its 20 physical cores, higher average benchmark score of 61834, and 93rd percentile ranking demonstrate a clear performance advantage.

The Intel Core i9-14901E remains a capable desktop processor, as evidenced by its 86th percentile ranking and average score of 37911. It is most competitive in PassMark integer math and single-thread tests, where its deltas are only -7.9% and -8.6% respectively. This makes it a reasonable choice for applications that are not heavily multithreaded or vectorized.

However, the data does not provide a scenario where the Core i9-14901E is the recommended pick over the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus. For users prioritizing maximum performance in rendering, data compression, encryption, or any of the tested PassMark workloads, the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is the superior option. The Core i9-14901E, with its support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory and ECC, may appeal to specific desktop build requirements, but the performance data consistently favors the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus.