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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a decisive verdict: the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins 15 of 17 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Core i9-14901E takes only 2. The average benchmark score of the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus sits at 93785, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, versus 37911 and the 86th percentile for the Core i9-14901E. That gap, roughly 147% higher average score, is the headline.

The most lopsided results appear in multicore workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 6656 against 2595, a 61% deficit for the i9-14901E. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 24461 versus 10816, a 55.8% gap. Cinebench R23 multicore narrows that to 44253 against 25753, still a 41.8% lead for the Ultra 7. PassMark multithread confirms the pattern: 68574 versus 30298, again a 55.8% difference.

The Ultra 7 270K Plus also dominates across every PassMark compute subtest. Data compression shows 804322 versus 288777, a 64.1% advantage. Data encryption delivers 59097 against 18571, a 68.6% lead. Extended instructions produce 63506 versus 17249, the largest margin at 72.8%. Prime number generation scores 615 versus 189, a 69.3% gap. Floating point math records 229491 versus 81089, a 64.7% edge. Integer math shows a smaller but still decisive 35.9% advantage: 175986 versus 112736. Random string sorting yields 96945 against 39138, a 59.6% difference. Even physics simulation, often less core-bound, favors the Ultra 7: 4064 versus 3041, a 25.2% lead.

Single-threaded performance splits the results. The Core i9-14901E wins Cinebench R15 singlecore with 366 versus 354, a modest 3.4% margin. It also wins Cinebench R23 singlecore convincingly: 3635 versus 2439, a 49% advantage. However, PassMark single-thread tests go the other way. The Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 5068 versus 4354, a 14.1% lead. Cinebench R20 singlecore also favors the Ultra 7: 3453 versus 1526, a 55.8% margin. This inconsistency suggests the two processors excel in different single-threaded instruction mixes, with the i9-14901E ahead in certain rendering-oriented single-core tasks while the Ultra 7 leads in the PassMark single-thread suite.

The nearest rival data contextualizes each chip differently. The Core i9-14901E sits within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and 0.1% behind the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, essentially tied with both. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus matches the Intel Xeon 6520P exactly (0% delta), sits 1.5% behind the AMD EPYC 4564P, and 1.9% behind the AMD EPYC 9175F. The Ultra 7 competes with server-class parts, while the i9-14901E trades with mainstream desktop and mobile chips.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is the clear winner for heavily threaded workloads. Its 24 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 125 W TDP, deliver massive parallel throughput. Every multicore benchmark in the database confirms this: Cinebench R15, R20, R23 multicore, PassMark multithread, data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime numbers, floating point math, integer math, and random string sorting all go to the Ultra 7. For rendering, encoding, scientific simulation, server-side processing, or any workload that scales across cores, the data points exclusively to the Ultra 7.

The Intel Core i9-14901E retains a narrow but real advantage in one specific area: Cinebench R23 single-core. Its score of 3635 beats the Ultra 7's 2439 by 49%. Cinebench R15 singlecore also goes to the i9-14901E (366 versus 354), though by just 3.4%. These results indicate the Raptor Lake architecture with its 5.60 GHz boost clock sustains higher single-threaded performance in certain legacy rendering benchmarks. However, the Ultra 7 counters in PassMark single-thread (5068 versus 4354) and Cinebench R20 singlecore (3453 versus 1526), so the i9-14901E's single-core win is not universal.

The Core i9-14901E also holds practical advantages outside raw performance. Its 65 W TDP is far lower than the Ultra 7's 125 W, meaning it requires less power delivery and cooling headroom. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 7 supports only DDR5. It uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, which is widely deployed, versus the newer Socket 1851. The i9-14901E also has a locked multiplier, whereas the Ultra 7 270K Plus is unlocked for overclocking.

The Ultra 7 counters with platform features: 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU versus 16, a higher memory bandwidth rating of 115.2 GB/s (the i9-14901E has no recorded bandwidth figure), and a more modern integrated GPU in the Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU versus UHD Graphics 770. Both support ECC memory.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus records an average benchmark score of 93785, while the Intel Core i9-14901E records 37911. That places the Ultra 7 in the 96th percentile of all CPUs and the i9-14901E in the 86th percentile.

Q: Does the Core i9-14901E win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R15 singlecore with a 3.4% margin (366 versus 354) and Cinebench R23 singlecore with a 49% margin (3635 versus 2439). All other 15 recorded benchmarks go to the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus.

Q: How large is the multicore performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Ultra 7 leads by 41.8% (44253 versus 25753). In Cinebench R20 multicore and PassMark multithread, the lead is 55.8% in both cases. The largest multicore gap appears in PassMark extended instructions at 72.8%.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Core i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which CPU supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i9-14901E supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus supports DDR5 exclusively.

Q: Is the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked. The Core i9-14901E has a locked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every core specification. The Core i9-14901E uses 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus uses 24 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks differ: 2.80 GHz for the i9-14901E versus 3.70 GHz for the Ultra 7. Boost clocks are close, with the i9-14901E at 5.60 GHz and the Ultra 7 at 5.50 GHz. TDP ratings differ substantially: 65 W versus 125 W.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The i9-14901E has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and the same 36 MB of shared L3. Process node and foundry differ: the i9-14901E uses Intel's 10 nm process, while the Ultra 7 uses TSMC's 3 nm process. The Ultra 7 lists 17,800 million transistors and a 243 mm² die size; the i9-14901E lists a 257 mm² die size with no transistor count.

Memory support differs in both type and bandwidth. The i9-14901E supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel bus; the Ultra 7 supports only DDR5 with dual-channel bus and records 115.2 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe lane counts differ: the i9-14901E provides 16 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, the Ultra 7 provides 20. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

Socket and platform differ. The i9-14901E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 7 uses Intel Socket 1851. Release dates differ: the i9-14901E released in June 2024, the Ultra 7 in March 2026. The Ultra 7 has a launch MSRP of $299. The i9-14901E has no recorded launch MSRP. The multiplier is locked on the i9-14901E and unlocked on the Ultra 7.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is stark. The Core i9-14901E is built on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, part of the Core 14th Gen family. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename within the Core Ultra Series 2, representing a newer design generation.

Manufacturing differs fundamentally. The i9-14901E uses Intel's 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The Ultra 7 uses TSMC's 3 nm process, a smaller node that typically enables higher transistor density and efficiency. The recorded transistor count for the Ultra 7 is 17,800 million, while the i9-14901E has no transistor count recorded. Die sizes are similar: 257 mm² for the i9-14901E and 243 mm² for the Ultra 7.

Core architecture differs in organization. The i9-14901E uses 16 threads across 8 cores, implying simultaneous multithreading. The Ultra 7 uses 24 threads across 24 cores, indicating no SMT, with each core contributing one thread. The per-core cache allocations are larger on the Ultra 7: 192 KB L1 versus 80 KB, and 3 MB L2 versus 2 MB. Shared L3 is identical at 36 MB.

The process node change is reflected in clock behavior. Despite a lower boost clock (5.50 GHz versus 5.60 GHz), the Ultra 7 achieves higher single-thread PassMark scores. The 3 nm TSMC process likely enables better power scaling and higher sustained clocks, though the database does not record power efficiency metrics.

Platform architecture also differs. The i9-14901E pairs with DDR4/DDR5 and 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, while the Ultra 7 requires DDR5 and offers 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Ultra 7's integrated GPU is the Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, a newer graphics architecture than the UHD Graphics 770 found in the i9-14901E. The Ultra 7's memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s is recorded, while the i9-14901E has no bandwidth figure in the database.

The Verdict

The data directs different buyers to different parts. For any workload that benefits from parallel execution, the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is the unambiguous choice. It wins every multicore benchmark in the database by margins ranging from 25.2% to 72.8%. Its 24 cores, 24 threads, 3 nm TSMC process, and 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes position it for heavy compute, server-adjacent tasks, and modern platform requirements. The 96th percentile average score and parity with Intel Xeon and AMD EPYC parts confirm its class.

The Intel Core i9-14901E retains relevance only in specific legacy single-threaded scenarios. Its Cinebench R23 single-core win by 49% and Cinebench R15 singlecore win by 3.4% show that Raptor Lake with a 5.60 GHz boost clock still delivers strong single-threaded rendering performance. Its 65 W TDP, DDR4 compatibility, and Socket 1700 ecosystem make it suitable for existing platforms or constrained power envelopes.

The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus stands as the superior processor in the database's measurements. It holds the higher percentile, the higher average score, and 15 of 17 head-to-head wins. The i9-14901E wins two specific single-core tests but loses the single-thread PassMark suite and all compute-heavy workloads. For new builds or upgrades where the Socket 1851 platform is viable, the Ultra 7's data profile is decisively stronger. The i9-14901E is the pick only for users locked into Socket 1700 who prioritize its specific single-core Cinebench strengths or require DDR4 support.