Overclockable Core i9-14901KE among new E-core-less 14th-Gen CPUs quietly unveiled by Intel

As Intel prepares to launch its Arrow Lake-S desktop CPUs, the company has quietly introduced an all-new line of 14th-Gen Raptor Lake Refresh processors. The unique 14001 series chips feature only Performance cores (P-cores) with no Efficiency cores (E-cores) that have become a staple of Intel's recent architectures. Designed primarily for embedded systems, these processors offer an intriguing twist in that the top-tier model is overclockable.

The bad news is that these CPUs are so-called embedded (soldered-in) CPUs. They are not user-replaceable and they can only be purchased as part of a motherboard - normally, an industrial motherboard. This places them out of reach for most enthusiasts and for the general consumer.

Intel's new E-core-free lineup spans nine models across three tiers: three Core i9 variants, two Core i7 SKUs, and four Core i5 models. The standout among these is the flagship Core i9-14901KE which appears to be an overclockable K-series part — a rarity, if not a first, for embedded Intel processors.

This series marks a departure from Intel's recent hybrid architecture strategy, being the first since the 11th generation to be completely E-core-free. This allows Intel to repurpose Raptor Lake dies with defective E-cores but otherwise fully functional components.

The new processors offer several advantages. They do away with some of the issues normally associated with hybrid architectures, such as the issue of workload scheduling between different core types. Many applications don't benefit from E-cores at all and run best on six to eight physical cores no matter the type of the cores.

The Core i9 models all feature eight Raptor Cove P-cores, 16 threads, and 36MB of L3 cache. They differ primarily in clock speeds and power targets. The top-end Core i9-14901KE boasts a 5.8GHz max turbo clock, a 3.8GHz base clock and a 125W long-term TDP. The Core i9-14901E reduces long-term power consumption to 65W with a slight performance trade-off, while the i9-14901TE is the most power-efficient model on offer at 45W.

The Core i7 variants closely resemble their i9 counterparts, with eight cores and 16 threads, but feature slightly lower clocks and marginally smaller L3 caches. The Core i7-14701E operates at 65W, while the Core i7-14701TE is rated at 45W. Core i5 models fare significantly worse, offering six cores, 12 threads, and 24MB of L3 cache. They're divided into Core i5-14501 and Core i5-14401 series, mirroring their desktop counterparts. The main differences are in Boost clocks and in integrated graphics performance.

Notably, all models except the Core i5-14501 series feature Intel UHD 770 Graphics with 32 execution units. The Core i5-14501 series uses the less powerful UHD 730 Graphics with 24 execution units.

This unexpected release from Intel showcases the company's ability to innovate within established product lines, potentially opening new avenues for specialized computing solutions.

The i9-11900K is a very decent CPU for those who distrust Intel's E-cores. It can be had for about $260 on Amazon.com right now.