Intel unveils its 14th gen 14th Generation Core HX series processors for mobile devices at CES 2024

At CES 2024, Intel has unveiled its 14th Generation Core HX series processors for mobile devices. The new 14th Gen Core HX processors are a refreshed version of Raptor lake13th Gen Core HX series. This is similar to the 14th gen desktop processors such as the Core i9-14900K to the Core i9-13900K; Raptor Lake is again refreshed, this time for mobile.

Overview of the 14th Gen Core HX Series

The new series includes five SKUs, covering the Core i9-14900K, Core i7-14700K, and the Core i5-14600K segments. These processors retain many specifications from their predecessors, such as core counts and integrated graphics, but feature faster Performance (P) and Efficiency (E) core turbos. This enhancement ensures improved performance within the same 55/157 W TDP power envelope.

Key Specifications

• Core Counts: Ranging from 24 CPU cores (8P+16E)/32 threads down to 10 CPU cores (6P+4E)/16 threads.
• Architecture: Continuation of the Raptor Lake architecture on the Intel 7-node.
• PCIe Lanes: Ample count for additional discrete controllers.
• Thunderbolt 5 Support: Up to 160 Gbps cable bandwidth.
• Wi-Fi 7 Support: Next-generation wireless capability.
• Overclockability: Similar to the 13th Gen series.

Comparison: 14th Gen vs. 13th Gen Core HX Series

Looking at the above specification comparisons, it looks like Intel has opted for an all-around faster P Core turbo when comparing the corresponding processors.

Performance

Core i9-14900HX: The Powerhouse

The Intel Core i9-14900HX stands as the flagship of the 14th Gen Core HX series. It is a direct successor to the i9-13900HX, maintaining the same core configuration of 8 Performance cores and 16 Efficiency cores, totaling 32 threads.

The significant enhancements are in its turbo frequencies, with the P-core reaching up to 5.8 GHz – a 400 MHz increase over its predecessor. The E-core turbo(4.1 GHz) also gets a 200 MHz bump compared to previous 13th Gen. This boost signifies Intel’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of mobile processing power.

Intel Core i7-14700HX

The Core i7-14700HX is a notable upgrade within the i7 lineup, providing a balanced mix of performance and efficiency. This processor introduces an additional four Efficiency cores compared to its predecessor, the i7-13700HX, culminating in an 8P+12E/28T configuration. The turbo frequency of the P-core has been ramped up to 5.5 GHz, marking a 500 MHz increase, enhancing its capability for demanding tasks and multitasking. The increase in E-core count also results in increases L3 cache at 33 MB , which is up from 30 MB on the Core i7-13700HX.

Intel Core i7-14650HX

The Core i7-14650HX, succeeding the i7-13650HX, has also seen a significant upgrade. It now features two more Performance cores, resulting in an 8P+8E/24T configuration. The increase in P-core turbo to 5.2 GHz and E-core turbo to 3.7 GHz, along with the added cores, positions it as a strong contender for intensive workloads.

Intel Core i5-14500HX

The Core i5-14500HX leads the i5 series with a 6P+8E/20T configuration. This model offers an increased P-core turbo frequency of up to 4.9 GHz, a noticeable boost from its predecessor. With 24 MB of L3 cache, it is designed to efficiently handle a variety of tasks while providing a balance between performance and power consumption.

Intel Core i5-14450HX

The Core i5-14450HX, a step-down from the 14500HX, maintains a similar configuration of 6P+4E/16T. It offers a solid P-core turbo of 4.8 GHz and is aimed at users seeking a balance between performance and energy efficiency, making it suitable for mainstream applications.

Integrated GPU is a meh!

Coming to integrated graphics, all the Intel 14th Gen Core HX series processors have the same underlying Intel HD graphics and share the same specifications as the corresponding predecessor, e.g., the Core i9-14900HX and the Core i9-13900HX remain the same in terms of graphics.

This goes on to say the 14th gen Core HX series laptops will be coming wholeheartedly with discrete graphics cards.

Thunderbolt 5 and Connectivity

The 14th Gen HX series places a strong emphasis on connectivity. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 5/USB4v2 support, though reliant on discrete Barlow Ridge controllers, marks a significant advancement. This connectivity is aimed at supporting a combination of data and graphics (DisplayPort 2.1).

There’s also support for up to 14 x USB 2 ports, 10 x USB 3 ports, and can accommodate up to 8 SATA ports.

Gaming Performance

Intel’s in-house testing shows promising results in gaming performance. For instance, the flagship Core i9-14900HX performs better AMD’s Ryzen 9 7945HX in certain titles, though results vary across different games.

At 1080p with high settings, Intel claims up to 1.37 x the performance in Total Warhammer III, with up to 1.11 x the performance over AMD in F1 2023. In other titles such as League of Legends, again, Intel claims 11% more performance.

However, there are cases where performance is lower, such as in Cyberpunk 2077, with the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX performing around 2% better than Intel’s new chip.

Comparison with the 3D V-Cache enabled, Ryzen 9 7945HX3D

Intel claims that in Rainbow Six Siege, the Core i9-14900HX is 0.3% better, yes 0.3 😛 this is marginal at best. In one of the latest Total War titles (Pharaoh), Intel claims it has the biggest win, with up to 17% more performance than the Ryzen 9 7945x3D.

Total War titles are typically aligned more with Intel than AMD, even in terms of marketing. Hence, it’s no surprise to see better performance on Intel chips in this game series.

Market Availability

With over 60+ designs from leading vendors like Alienware, Lenovo, MSI, and Razer, the 14th Gen Core HX series is poised to be a major part of 2024 high-end gaming laptops. The exact models featuring these processors are yet to be announced, but expectations are high for a range of innovative notebooks.

Intel 14th Gen Core HX mobile – Nothing major, Just Incremental Upgrades

The 14th Gen Core HX series does not introduce a radical architectural shift, it just refines the existing Raptor Lake design. The enhancements in voltage and frequency curves are particularly notable, extracting faster clock speeds for better performance.

The rest, mostly, remains the same. This is more of a refresh with nothing significant from Intel side.

Also, this does add to the ever confusing naming of the Intel 14th gen series. To clarify – There’s just 2 architectures, Core = Raptor Lake Refresh, Core Ultra = Meteor Lake. These 14th Gen HX fall under Core (Raptor Lake).