Intel Core i9-14901KE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 266V Comparison

The Verdict

The data positions the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V as the clear leader in the recorded benchmark suite. It holds a 76th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE sits at the 50th percentile. The Core Ultra 7 266V also posts an average benchmark score of 23297, which places it marginally ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H (23277, 0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i9-11900F (23254, 0.2% delta). The i9-14901KE has no recorded benchmark scores, no average score, and no nearest rivals in the database, meaning the measured performance data exists only for the Lunar Lake part.

The Core Ultra 7 266V is the only chip in this comparison with usable performance numbers. Its 17-watt TDP and TSMC 3 nm process node indicate a design focused on efficiency, while the i9-14901KE uses a 125-watt TDP and Intel's 10 nm process. For workloads represented by the available tests, the Ultra 7 266V delivers the measured results. The i9-14901KE, despite its higher core clock and desktop-class power envelope, lacks any recorded benchmarks in the database, so no direct performance verdict can be derived from measurements. Users seeking validated performance data should look at the Ultra 7 266V, as it is the sole part with benchmark evidence.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-14901KE belongs to the Core 14th Gen family and uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename. It is built on Intel's 10 nm process node with a die size of 257 mm². The chip features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. Its TDP is rated at 125 watts, and it uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform. The cache hierarchy consists of 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support covers DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, and ECC memory is supported. The integrated graphics solution is UHD Graphics 770. The processor is unlocked, meaning the multiplier can be adjusted, and it uses Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes from the CPU. It was released on June 30, 2024, and remains active in production.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 and uses the Lunar Lake architecture with the same codename. It is fabricated on TSMC's 3 nm process node. This mobile part has 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its TDP is dramatically lower at 17 watts, and it uses the Intel BGA 2833 socket. The cache layout is different: 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is LPDDR5X, with the exact configuration dependent on the motherboard, and the memory bus runs dual-channel with a recorded bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported. The integrated graphics are Arc 140V. The multiplier is locked, and PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU. It was released on September 23, 2024, and is also active.

The architectural split is stark. The i9-14901KE uses a larger 10 nm Intel process, a 257 mm² die, a 125-watt TDP, and 16 threads from 8 cores. The Ultra 7 266V uses a smaller 3 nm TSMC process, a 17-watt TDP, and 8 threads from 8 cores. The i9-14901KE has more L3 cache (36 MB versus 12 MB) and supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 266V relies on LPDDR5X. The Ultra 7 266V has a higher L1 cache per core (192 KB versus 80 KB) and a higher L2 cache per core (2.5 MB versus 2 MB). The i9-14901KE offers 16 PCIe lanes versus 4 on the Ultra 7 266V, and only the i9-14901KE supports ECC memory and an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The measured benchmark results all belong to the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V. The i9-14901KE has zero recorded benchmarks in the database, so there are no wins to attribute to it. The Ultra 7 266V wins across every recorded test by default, since it is the only part with data.

The Ultra 7 266V demonstrates strength in multi-threaded rendering workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 16544. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 6948, and in Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1667. Single-core results are also present: Cinebench R23 single-core at 2335, Cinebench R20 single-core at 980, and Cinebench R15 single-core at 235.

In PassMark tests, the Ultra 7 266V delivers strong results in data compression with a score of 187050, extended instructions at 15928, and floating-point math at 56923. Integer math scores 41558, and multithread performance scores 19461. Random string sorting reaches 22905. Single-thread performance is recorded at 3943 in both the PassMark single-thread and single-thread variants. Physics scores 1608, data encryption scores 13822, and find prime numbers scores 191.

The i9-14901KE, with its higher boost clock of 5.80 GHz, larger L3 cache, and 16 threads, would be expected to perform differently in some workloads based on its specifications, but the database contains no measurements to confirm this. The Ultra 7 266V, despite running at a lower 2.20 GHz base clock and 5.00 GHz boost clock, has the only recorded performance numbers. Its 76th percentile ranking and average score of 23297 place it among the top quarter of all CPUs in the database, with a 0.1% lead over the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H and a 0.2% lead over the Intel Core i9-11900F.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V has an average benchmark score of 23297. The Intel Core i9-14901KE has no recorded average benchmark score.

Q: How does the Core Ultra 7 266V compare to its nearest rivals?

A: It leads the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H by 0.1% (23277), the Intel Core i9-11900F by 0.2% (23254), the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V by 0.3% (23219), and the AMD EPYC 4124P by 0.6% (23167).

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901KE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901KE has a TDP of 125 watts. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V has a TDP of 17 watts.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901KE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V supports LPDDR5X, with the configuration dependent on the motherboard.

Q: What is the single-thread PassMark score for the Core Ultra 7 266V?

A: The PassMark single-thread score is 3943, and the PassMark singlethread score is also 3943.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark table in the database is empty, and the wins counter shows zero for both processors. All available benchmark data belongs to the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V, so the analysis of performance must focus on its recorded scores.

The largest measured result for the Ultra 7 266V is in the PassMark data compression test, where it scores 187050. This is the highest single score in its benchmark set. The next highest is the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16544, followed by the PassMark multithread score of 19461. Floating-point math reaches 56923, and integer math reaches 41558. These results show a processor capable of handling both compression-heavy and math-heavy tasks with substantial output.

In single-thread performance, the Ultra 7 266V records a PassMark single-thread score of 3943. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 2335, Cinebench R20 single-core is 980, and Cinebench R15 single-core is 235. The ratio between multi-core and single-core results in Cinebench R23 (16544 versus 2335) indicates that the chip scales well across its 8 threads, even though it lacks Hyper-Threading.

The lowest recorded scores for the Ultra 7 266V are in the find prime numbers test at 191 and the physics test at 1608. Data encryption scores 13822, extended instructions score 15928, and random string sorting scores 22905. These lower figures relative to the compression and math scores suggest that the processor's performance varies significantly by workload type.

The i9-14901KE has no benchmark entries, no wins, and no rival comparisons. Its specifications include a 5.80 GHz boost clock, 16 threads, 36 MB of L3 cache, and a 125-watt TDP, but none of these translate into recorded scores. The database offers no measurement to compare against the Ultra 7 266V's 16544 Cinebench R23 multi-core result or its 3943 PassMark single-thread score.

The percentile data reinforces the Ultra 7 266V's standing. At the 76th percentile among all CPUs, it ranks above the i9-14901KE's 50th percentile. The nearest rivals for the Ultra 7 266V are tightly clustered, with the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H at 23277 (0.1% behind), the Intel Core i9-11900F at 23254 (0.2% behind), the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V at 23219 (0.3% behind), and the AMD EPYC 4124P at 23167 (0.6% behind). This clustering means the Ultra 7 266V sits at the top of a very close performance group, with less than 1% separating it from four other processors.