Intel Core i3-14100 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity: the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database, taking 17 wins out of 17 recorded tests. The Intel Core i3-14100 does not register a single win. The margins vary from narrow single-thread gaps to enormous multi-thread deltas.

The largest single gap appears in PassMark's find prime numbers test. The Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 486, while the i3-14100 scores 55, which is a delta of -88.7%. That is a workload dominated by the Ultra 5's core count and architecture. Data encryption shows a similar story, with the Ultra 5 at 42,144 versus the i3-14100 at 8,838, a delta of -79%. Integer math goes to the Ultra 5 at 125,091 versus 45,329, a delta of -63.8%. Floating-point math also favors the Ultra 5 by a wide margin: 162,692 versus 35,266, a delta of -78.3%.

In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Ultra 5 scores 18,442 while the i3-14100 manages 5,384, which is a -70.8% delta. Cinebench R23 multi-core narrows the gap somewhat: the Ultra 5 scores 30,867 versus 12,820, a delta of -58.5%. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 4,640 versus 1,292, a delta of -72.2%. PassMark multi-thread also favors the Ultra 5 at 51,596 versus 15,095, a delta of -70.7%. The data compression test shows 568,721 versus 174,115, a delta of -69.4%. Extended instructions run 44,565 versus 11,865, a delta of -73.4%. Physics performance goes 3,494 versus 958, a delta of -72.6%. Random string sorting runs 69,090 versus 17,397, a delta of -74.8%.

Single-thread results are closer, but the Ultra 5 still leads across the board. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 5 scores 2,261 versus 1,809, a delta of -20%. PassMark single-thread shows 4,757 versus 3,759, a delta of -21%. Cinebench R15 single-core has the Ultra 5 at 328 versus 182, a delta of -44.5%. Cinebench R20 single-core runs 2,603 versus 759, a delta of -70.8%. The single-core deltas are smaller than the multi-core ones, which indicates that the i3-14100 is relatively more competitive in lightly threaded work, though it still loses every such test.

The average benchmark score confirms the separation: the Ultra 5 250K Plus sits at 66,855, while the i3-14100 sits at 18,318. The Ultra 5's percentile ranking is 93 versus the i3-14100's 72. Rival comparisons place the i3-14100 among other low-core desktop parts: it sits within 0.3% of the Intel Core 7 360, Intel Core 5 330, and Intel Core i3-13100, and within 0.1% of the Intel Core 3 305. The Ultra 5 250K Plus, by contrast, sits within 0.2% of the AMD EPYC 4465P, within 0.2% of the Intel Xeon 6515P, within 0.9% of the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, and 1.1% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from completely different design generations and manufacturing backgrounds. The i3-14100 is built on the Raptor Lake architecture, more specifically Raptor Lake-R, and sits in the Core 14th Gen family. It uses a 10 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. The Ultra 5 250K Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, codename Arrow Lake Refresh, and is manufactured by TSMC on a 3 nm node. The transistor count reflects that difference: the Ultra 5 packs 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the i3-14100's die size is 163 mm² with no transistor count recorded in the database.

Core counts are starkly different. The i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. That thread count equals the core count, which indicates the Ultra 5 does not rely on simultaneous multithreading for its thread count. The i3-14100, with 4 cores and 8 threads, does use SMT.

Cache hierarchies also differ substantially. The i3-14100 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 250K Plus has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations on the Ultra 5 are consistent with its newer core design.

Clock speeds favor the Ultra 5 as well. The i3-14100 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Ultra 5 250K Plus has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. Power draw is much higher on the Ultra 5: 125 W TDP versus 60 W TDP for the i3-14100.

Memory support differs by generation. The i3-14100 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The database records a memory bandwidth figure only for the Ultra 5: 115.2 GB/s. Both CPUs support ECC memory.

Platform requirements are entirely different. The i3-14100 uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851. PCIe lane counts also differ: the i3-14100 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 5 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are present on both, but different: the i3-14100 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

The Ultra 5 250K Plus has an unlocked multiplier, while the i3-14100 does not. Release dates are far apart: the i3-14100 launched on 2024-01-07, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus launched on 2026-03-10. Both are marked as Active in production status and both target the desktop market segment. The i3-14100 lists a launch MSRP of $134, and the Ultra 5 250K Plus lists a launch MSRP of $199.

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports a straightforward split. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the stronger processor in every recorded workload, with the largest margins in multi-threaded and math-heavy tests. Its 18 cores, 30 MB of L3 cache, higher clocks, and newer 3 nm TSMC process give it a decisive advantage across Cinebench and PassMark suites. The i3-14100, with 4 cores and 8 threads, cannot match that throughput; its multi-core scores are between 58.5% and 88.7% behind depending on the test.

The only area where the i3-14100 looks less disadvantaged is single-thread performance. The Cinebench R23 single-core delta is -20%, and the PassMark single-thread delta is -21%. Those are still losses, but they show the i3-14100's older cores remain competitive in lightly threaded tasks. The i3-14100 also draws far less power at 60 W TDP versus 125 W TDP, which makes it a fit for systems where power draw is a constraint. Its support for DDR4 memory also gives it an upgrade path for existing DDR4 platforms, and its Socket 1700 compatibility matters for users already on that platform.

The Ultra 5 250K Plus is the choice for users who need the highest recorded multi-core throughput, more PCIe lanes, a larger cache, and a newer platform with DDR5-only memory. Its 93rd percentile ranking versus the i3-14100's 72nd percentile ranking summarizes the overall performance gap. The i3-14100 is the choice for users who need a lower-power part that still handles single-threaded workloads respectably, and who value DDR4 compatibility or an existing Socket 1700 platform.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins more benchmarks in the database?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core i3-14100 wins none.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: The Ultra 5 250K Plus leads by -58.5% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, -70.8% in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and -70.7% in PassMark multi-thread. The largest multi-threaded delta is -88.7% in PassMark find prime numbers.

Q: Is the i3-14100 competitive in single-thread performance?

A: It is closer, but still behind. The Ultra 5 leads by -20% in Cinebench R23 single-core and -21% in PassMark single-thread. The i3-14100's single-thread scores are 1,809 and 3,759 respectively, versus 2,261 and 4,757 for the Ultra 5.

Q: What are the core and thread counts of each CPU?

A: The i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads.

Q: Do the two CPUs use the same memory types?

A: No. The i3-14100 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What sockets do the two CPUs use?

A: The i3-14100 uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851. The Ultra 5 also provides more PCIe lanes: 20 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU versus 16 Gen 5 lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The Ultra 5 250K Plus wins every recorded benchmark, so its "winning" categories are all of them. The more useful split is by workload type and platform fit.

For heavily multi-threaded workloads, the Ultra 5 250K Plus is the clear pick. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests all show deltas between -58.5% and -72.2%. PassMark multi-thread shows a -70.7% delta. Data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, floating-point math, integer math, physics, and random string sorting all show deltas between -63.8% and -79%. The 18-core, 18-thread configuration with 30 MB of shared L3 cache is the reason for that dominance.

For single-threaded tasks, the Ultra 5 still wins, but the margin is smaller. Cinebench R23 single-core delta is -20%, and PassMark single-thread delta is -21%. The i3-14100's 4.70 GHz boost clock on a 10 nm Raptor Lake core keeps it within striking distance of the Ultra 5's 5.30 GHz boost clock in lightly threaded work, but it does not close the gap.

The i3-14100 wins on platform flexibility and power draw. It supports DDR4 and DDR5, which makes it usable in more existing builds. Its 60 W TDP is less than half of the Ultra 5's 125 W TDP. It also uses Socket 1700, which is a different platform from the Ultra 5's Socket 1851. For a system that needs lower power draw, DDR4 compatibility, or a Socket 1700 board, the i3-14100 is the relevant option. For every performance metric in the database, the Ultra 5 250K Plus is the winner.