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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus dominates the Intel Core i3-14100 across every recorded benchmark. The dataset shows 17 wins for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus and zero wins for the Core i3-14100. The most decisive gaps appear in PassMark data encryption, where the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus leads by 78.6%, and in prime number finding, where it leads by 87.8%. These are not marginal advantages; the newer processor outperforms the older one by a wide margin in every category.

Cinebench results confirm the pattern. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 42,718 against 12,820 for the Core i3-14100, a 70% difference. Single-core Cinebench R23 shows 6,030 versus 1,809, also a 70% gap. The same 70% delta appears in Cinebench R15 and R20, both multi-core and single-core variants. This consistency across Cinebench versions indicates the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific.

PassMark integer math shows the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 123,030 versus 45,329 for the Core i3-14100, a 63.2% lead. Floating point math follows with 159,824 versus 35,266, a 77.9% advantage. Extended instructions score 42,880 against 11,865, a 72.3% gap. Data compression shows 553,155 versus 174,115, a 68.5% lead. Random string sorting delivers 67,209 versus 17,397, a 74.1% gap.

The closest contest is in single-threaded PassMark performance. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 4,698 versus 3,759 for the Core i3-14100, a 20% lead. This is still a clear win, but the smaller delta suggests the older architecture retains some competitiveness in lightly threaded tasks. Multi-threaded PassMark shows 50,146 versus 15,095, a 69.9% gap. Physics simulation records 3,183 versus 958, also a 69.9% difference.

The average benchmark score tells the broader story. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus averages 66,159 across all benchmarks, while the Core i3-14100 averages 18,318. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, compared to the 72nd percentile for the Core i3-14100. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D at 65,914 (0.4% behind) and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus at 66,855 (1% ahead). The Core i3-14100, by contrast, sits between the Intel Core 3 305 at 18,302 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Core 5 330 at 18,345 (0.1% ahead). The performance tiers are clearly distinct.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations with fundamentally different designs. The Core i3-14100 uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses Arrow Lake Refresh architecture, built on TSMC's 3 nm process. The die size reflects this shift: 163 mm² for the Core i3-14100 versus 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus packs 17,800 million transistors; the Core i3-14100 does not have a recorded transistor count.

Core counts differ sharply. The Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to reach its thread count. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads, so there is no thread-doubling. Thread count equals core count on the newer part. Base clocks are 3.50 GHz for the Core i3-14100 and 4.20 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. Boost clocks are 4.70 GHz and 5.30 GHz respectively. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus also has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core i3-14100 is locked.

Cache hierarchies differ in size and layout. The Core i3-14100 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. Every cache level is larger on the newer processor.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core i3-14100 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s; the Core i3-14100 has no recorded bandwidth figure. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs. The Core i3-14100 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics are present on the Core i3-14100 as UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A).

Sockets and release timing differ. The Core i3-14100 uses Intel Socket 1700 and launched on 2024-01-07. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses Intel Socket 1851 and launched on 2026-03-10. The Core i3-14100 has launch MSRP of $134. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has launch MSRP of $184. Both processors are listed as Active in production status. The Core i3-14100 is part of the Core 14th Gen series, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus belongs to Core Ultra Series 2.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

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

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-14100 include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Core i3-14100 includes UHD Graphics 730. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest recorded delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus leads by 87.8%. Data encryption is close behind at 78.6%.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i3-14100 supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports DDR5 exclusively.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has an unlocked multiplier. The Core i3-14100 does not.

Q: How do their CPU socket requirements differ?

A: The Core i3-14100 uses Intel Socket 1700. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses Intel Socket 1851.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i3-14100 | Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 18 |

| Threads | 8 | 18 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 60 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Arrow Lake Refresh |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 163 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 115.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | N/A |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2026-03-10 |

| Launch MSRP | $134 | $184 |

| Part Number | SRMX1 | SA4V3 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins every benchmark in the recorded dataset. No workload category favors the Core i3-14100. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus leads in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core, and in all PassMark tests including data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multi-threaded performance, physics, random string sorting, and single-threaded performance.

The Core i3-14100 has no recorded benchmark victory. Its closest relative performance is in PassMark single-threaded tests, where it trails by 20%. That remains a loss, but it is the narrowest margin in the entire comparison. The Core i3-14100 does offer features the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus lacks: integrated graphics, DDR4 support, a lower TDP of 60 W versus 125 W, and compatibility with Intel Socket 1700 motherboards. The Core i3-14100 also launched with a launch MSRP of $134, compared to $184 for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus.

The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus delivers advantages in every performance metric. Its 18 cores and 30 MB of shared L3 cache support heavily threaded workloads. Its higher base and boost clocks support single-threaded responsiveness. Its 3 nm process node and Arrow Lake Refresh architecture account for part of the efficiency gain, though the recorded TDP is higher. The unlocked multiplier allows user-controlled frequency adjustment, which the locked Core i3-14100 cannot offer. The newer Socket 1851 platform provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus 16, and the sole memory path is DDR5 with 115.2 GB/s of recorded bandwidth.

The Verdict

The data presents a one-sided comparison. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus outperforms the Intel Core i3-14100 in all 17 head-to-head benchmark entries. The performance gap ranges from 20% in PassMark single-threaded tests to 87.8% in prime number finding. Average benchmark scores reinforce this: 66,159 for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus versus 18,318 for the Core i3-14100. The percentile rankings place the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core i3-14100 sits in the 72nd.

The Core i3-14100 remains relevant only in specific configuration contexts. It supports DDR4, includes integrated graphics, and consumes 60 W. Its launch MSRP of $134 is lower than the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus launch MSRP of $184. For systems relying on older DDR4 memory or requiring integrated graphics without a discrete GPU, the Core i3-14100 has a functional niche. Its Socket 1700 platform may also fit existing motherboard investments.

The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is the stronger processor by every measured metric. It leads in multi-core rendering, single-core rendering, encryption, compression, math workloads, physics simulation, and sorting tasks. It provides 18 cores, 18 threads, 30 MB of shared L3 cache, and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. Its nearest rivals in the database, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, sit within 1% of its average score, placing it in competitive high-end territory. The Core i3-14100's nearest rivals, the Intel Core 3 305 and Intel Core 5 330, sit within 0.1% to 0.3% of its score. These are different performance classes entirely.

Users choosing between these two processors face a clear tradeoff. The Core i3-14100 offers lower power draw, integrated graphics, DDR4 compatibility, and lower launch MSRP. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus offers decisively higher performance in all recorded benchmarks, more cores, more cache, higher clocks, an unlocked multiplier, and newer platform features. The recorded data supports the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus for any workload where performance is the primary consideration.