CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-14700HX vs Intel Core i9-13980HX
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-14700HX is a 20-core mobile processor bringing desktop-class multi-threaded performance to high-end gaming laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
The 12 E-cores provide massive throughput for mobile rendering.
Exceptional multi‑threaded performance for video encoding, rendering, and compilation, trading blows with 16‑core Zen 4 competitors while generally offering stronger gaming performance.
Gaming
Top-tier mobile gaming performance, easily driving high-end mobile GPUs.
Delivers very high FPS in CPU‑bound titles when paired with a fast GPU; often at or near the top of mobile charts in 13th‑gen comparisons, though gains over cheaper HX SKUs are modest in some games.
Virtualization
Excellent for running local VMs on a laptop.
32 threads and high clocks make running multiple VMs comfortable; power and thermal headroom are usually the limiting factor, not CPU capability.
Efficiency
Very high power draw limits battery life significantly.
At full tilt, it draws as much power as some desktop CPUs and runs hot, yielding lower performance‑per‑watt than AMD’s Dragon Range and Apple’s M‑series in efficiency‑focused metrics.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Strong CPU-based AI inference due to 28 threads.
- Includes DLBoost for enhanced AI operations.
- Lacks a dedicated NPU found in newer Meteor Lake chips.
- CPU‑side AI workloads benefit from high core count and AVX2, but there is no dedicated NPU or deep‑learning accelerator.
- Suitable for small‑scale local inference and development; not comparable to specialized AI accelerators or newer NPUs.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Ideal pairing with mobile RTX 4080 and 4090 GPUs.
- 5.5 GHz boost maximizes framerates in eSports titles.
- Requires substantial laptop cooling to maintain boost clocks.
- Very high single‑threaded performance thanks to 5.6 GHz P‑cores.
- Capable of driving high‑refresh‑rate gaming at 1080p and 1440p with modern GPUs.
- Performance uplift over i9‑13900HX is small in many titles; main gains are in peak clocks and lightly‑threaded scenarios.
- Actual FPS heavily dependent on laptop power limits and cooling; some designs throttle under sustained load.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 20 cores and 28 threads offer incredible mobile multi-core performance.
- Up to 5.5 GHz clock speed for elite mobile gaming.
- Includes UHD 770 graphics with Quick Sync support.
- Supports PCIe 5.0 for next-gen mobile GPUs and SSDs.
- Unlocked for OEM and enthusiast tuning.
Cons
- Very high power draw (up to 157W) requires thick, heavy laptops.
- Generates substantial heat requiring robust cooling.
- Battery life will be very poor during intense workloads.
- Significantly more expensive than lower-tier mobile CPUs.
Pros
- 24 cores and 32 threads provide class‑leading multi‑threaded performance for a mobile CPU.
- 5.6 GHz max turbo enables very strong single‑threaded and gaming performance.
- Desktop‑derived silicon with unlocked multiplier appeals to enthusiasts and OEMs.
- Full DDR5‑5600 and PCIe 5.0 support keeps the platform competitive with contemporary high‑end laptops.
- Excellent for heavy multitasking, streaming, and workstation‑class workloads.
Cons
- High power draw (up to 157W turbo) requires robust cooling and limits battery life.
- Runs hot under sustained load; some laptops throttle or become loud.
- Efficiency lags AMD’s Ryzen 7045HX Dragon Range and Apple’s M‑series in performance‑per‑watt.
- Modest performance gains over the cheaper Core i9‑13900HX in many real‑world scenarios.
- Integrated UHD graphics are basic; you still need a discrete GPU for serious gaming or compute.
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-14700HX
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HXRival
Mobile Workstation
- AMD Ryzen 9 7940HXRival
Mobile Gaming
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-13900HXRival
Mobile Gaming
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-14900HXRival
Mobile Workstation
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-14650HXRival
Mobile Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 9 7940HSAlt
Better efficiency for slightly thinner gaming laptops.
Previous generation with very similar 20-core performance.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i9-13980HX
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HXRival
High-End Mobile (Dragon Range)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-13950HXRival
High-End Mobile (Raptor Lake-HX, vPro)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-13900HXRival
High-End Mobile (Raptor Lake-HX)
- AMD Ryzen 9 7845HXRival
High-End Mobile (Dragon Range)
- Intel Core i9-12900HXRival
High-End Mobile (Alder Lake-HX, previous gen)
Direct successor with slightly higher clocks and refined behavior; choose this if you’re buying a new 14th‑gen laptop and want a more recent platform.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 9 7940HXAlt
Slightly cut‑down Dragon Range with 16 cores and lower power; a good compromise between performance and thermals in some designs.
Fewer cores but still strong gaming and creator performance; often better value and easier to cool in mid‑range laptops.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A beastly mobile CPU that mirrors the desktop 14700K, offering unparalleled multi-core performance for demanding laptop users.
Best for: Buying a top-tier desktop replacement gaming laptop.
Read the full reviewA flagship 13th‑gen mobile HX CPU that delivers outright performance leadership at the cost of high power draw and heat, making it ideal only for well‑cooled, desktop‑replacement laptops.
Best for: You’re buying a high‑end gaming or workstation laptop with strong cooling and plan to keep it plugged in most of the time, and you want the absolute best CPU performance available in the 13th‑gen lineup.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-14700HX or Intel Core i9-13980HX?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-14700HX comes out ahead with a score of 9.1/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-14700HX or Intel Core i9-13980HX?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-14700HX leads with a gaming performance score of 93/100 among Intel Core i7-14700HX and Intel Core i9-13980HX.
Do Intel Core i7-14700HX and Intel Core i9-13980HX use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-14700HX: Intel BGA 1964, Intel Core i9-13980HX: FCBGA1964), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i9-13980HX has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i7-14700HX (20 cores), Intel Core i9-13980HX (24 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-14700HX posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-14700HX (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.