Intel Core i9-14901TE vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data available in the database covers only the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus; no recorded scores exist for the Intel Core i9-14901TE. As a result, the comparison is one-sided in terms of measurable output, but the specifications allow for a clear functional split between the two processors.

The Intel Core i9-14901TE is designed for desktop systems with an Intel Socket 1700 platform. It uses 8 cores and 16 threads, a configuration that targets workloads where per-thread efficiency and lower power envelopes matter. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, by contrast, is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2114, with 24 cores and 24 threads, which suits heavily parallel tasks such as multi-core rendering, compilation, and scientific computation.

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus records a 95th percentile rank across all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 79,574. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-14900KF, scores 79,371, a delta of 0.3 percent in favor of the Ultra 9. The AMD EPYC 7413 sits at 80,041, which is 0.6 percent higher than the Ultra 9, while the Intel Xeon w5-2565X leads the group at 80,671, a 1.4 percent advantage. The Intel Core i9-14900K trails at 79,097, 0.6 percent behind the Ultra 9. These margins are narrow, indicating that the Ultra 9 290HX Plus operates in the same performance tier as flagship desktop parts despite its mobile form factor.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the database shows the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus reaching a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,356. The i9-14901TE has no recorded benchmark scores, but its boost clock matches the Ultra 9 at 5.50 GHz, which suggests comparable peak single-core capability based on clock frequency alone. However, the architecture and process differences, detailed below, influence how that clock translates into actual performance.

The i9-14901TE wins on platform flexibility: it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the Ultra 9 290HX Plus is restricted to DDR5. For users with existing DDR4 infrastructure, the i9-14901TE offers a migration path. The Ultra 9 wins on raw core count, memory bandwidth, and PCIe lane count, making it the choice for throughput-oriented tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and foundries. The Intel Core i9-14901TE is built on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, using a 10 nm process node from Intel's own fabs. Its die size is 257 mm². The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename, built on a 3 nm process node at TSMC, with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors.

The cache hierarchy diverges significantly. The i9-14901TE allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 36 MB L3. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and the same 36 MB shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches on the Ultra 9 align with its higher core count and the need to feed more execution units.

Both processors support ECC memory, which is notable for workstation-class reliability. The i9-14901TE does not list a memory bandwidth figure, while the Ultra 9 290HX Plus records 102.4 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR5 bus. The i9-14901TE supports DDR4 and DDR5, giving it broader memory compatibility, but the Ultra 9's dedicated bandwidth number indicates a faster memory subsystem for DDR5-only configurations.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The i9-14901TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 9 290HX Plus offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes. This gives the mobile part more headroom for multiple NVMe drives or high-bandwidth accelerators.

Integrated graphics also separate the two. The i9-14901TE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 9 290HX Plus carries Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The Arc solution is the newer architecture and is designed for more demanding display and media workloads.

The production status for both is listed as Active, but the release dates differ: the i9-14901TE launched in June 2024, while the Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a release date of March 2026. The Ultra 9 is the newer part by roughly two years.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for these two processors, and the i9-14901TE has no individual benchmark scores recorded. The only measurable data comes from the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, which delivers a comprehensive set of results across Cinebench and Passmark tests.

In Cinebench R15, the Ultra 9 290HX Plus scores 5,981 in multi-core and 340 in single-core. Cinebench R20 shows 21,198 multi-core and 2,992 single-core. Cinebench R23 records 39,684 multi-core and 2,356 single-core. These numbers place the Ultra 9 in the upper tier of the database, consistent with its 95th percentile ranking.

Passmark results for the Ultra 9 include 658,724 in data compression, 50,008 in data encryption, 51,290 in extended instructions, 519 in find prime numbers, 201,773 in floating point math, 164,839 in integer math, 59,439 in multithread, 3,387 in physics, 80,327 in random string sorting, and 4,951 in single-thread tests.

The nearest rival comparisons show how the Ultra 9 stacks against established desktop CPUs. It edges the Intel Core i9-14900KF by 0.3 percent and the i9-14900K by 0.6 percent. It trails the AMD EPYC 7413 by 0.6 percent and the Intel Xeon w5-2565X by 1.4 percent. These deltas are within a narrow band, meaning the Ultra 9's 24-core configuration competes directly with high-end desktop and entry-level workstation parts.

For the i9-14901TE, the absence of benchmark data means no direct score comparisons can be drawn. The specification sheet indicates 8 cores and 16 threads, which is a quarter of the Ultra 9's core count in terms of physical cores and two-thirds in terms of threads. Clock speeds match at 5.50 GHz boost, but the i9-14901TE has a lower base clock of 2.30 GHz versus 2.70 GHz on the Ultra 9.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 8 (i9-14901TE) vs 24 (Ultra 9 290HX Plus)
• Threads: 16 (i9-14901TE) vs 24 (Ultra 9 290HX Plus)
• Base clock: 2.30 GHz vs 2.70 GHz
• TDP: 45 W vs 55 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700 vs Intel BGA 2114
• Process node: 10 nm (Intel) vs 3 nm (TSMC)
• Transistors: Not listed for i9-14901TE vs 17,800 million
• Die size: 257 mm² vs 243 mm²
• L1 cache per core: 80 KB vs 192 KB
• L2 cache per core: 2 MB vs 3 MB
• Memory support: DDR4 and DDR5 vs DDR5 only
• Memory bandwidth: Not listed vs 102.4 GB/s
• PCIe lanes: 16 vs 20
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 770 vs Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU
• Market segment: Desktop vs Mobile
• Release date: June 2024 vs March 2026
• Multiplier unlocked: No vs Yes

Shared specifications include the 5.50 GHz boost clock, 36 MB shared L3 cache, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, and Active production status. Neither part has a launch MSRP recorded in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores, while the Intel Core i9-14901TE has 8 cores. The Ultra 9 also has 24 threads versus 16 threads on the i9-14901TE.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i9-14901TE and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus list ECC memory support in the database.

Q: What is the boost clock for each processor?

A: Both processors have a maximum boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The base clocks differ, with the i9-14901TE at 2.30 GHz and the Ultra 9 290HX Plus at 2.70 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i9-14901TE supports DDR4, alongside DDR5. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports DDR5 exclusively.

Q: How does the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus compare to the Intel Core i9-14900K in average benchmark score?

A: The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has an average benchmark score of 79,574, which is 0.6 percent higher than the Intel Core i9-14900K's score of 79,097.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus?

A: The database records 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. No memory bandwidth figure is listed for the i9-14901TE.

Q: Which processor has a larger L2 cache per core?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 3 MB of L2 cache per core, compared to 2 MB per core on the Intel Core i9-14901TE.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear separation in intended use. The Intel Core i9-14901TE is a desktop processor with a moderate 45 W TDP, 8 cores, and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. It suits systems where platform compatibility and lower power draw take priority over raw core count. The locked multiplier and 16 threads position it for stable, single-socket desktop workloads rather than overclocking or extreme parallelism.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a mobile processor with a 55 W TDP, 24 cores, and a higher base clock. Its benchmark results place it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average score of 79,574. The nearest rival data shows it trading leads with the Intel Core i9-14900KF and i9-14900K, while trailing the AMD EPYC 7413 and Intel Xeon w5-2565X by less than 1.5 percent. This puts the Ultra 9 in flagship-class territory despite its BGA mobile socket.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded throughput, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the only option with recorded performance data, and that data is strong. For users needing DDR4 compatibility, a desktop socket, or a lower TDP, the i9-14901TE offers those features, but its benchmark performance is unverified in the database. The choice rests on whether the workload demands 24 cores and the proven scores of the Ultra 9, or the platform flexibility and lower power envelope of the i9-14901TE.