Intel Core i3-14100 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear hierarchy between these two Intel desktop processors. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins every single head-to-head benchmark recorded in the database, taking all 17 comparisons. The Intel Core i3-14100 does not win a single test. For multi-threaded workloads, the Ultra 9 285 is in a completely different performance class, often scoring three to four times higher than the i3-14100. The i3-14100 sits at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Ultra 9 285 sits at the 95th percentile.

The Core i3-14100 is the entry-level choice for a basic desktop build. Its 4 cores and 8 threads with a 60 W TDP make it suitable for light productivity and everyday computing. The Ultra 9 285, with 24 cores and 24 threads, is the heavy lifter. It delivers roughly 3.8 times the multi-core Cinebench performance of the i3-14100, making it the obvious pick for rendering, compilation, and other parallel workloads. The i3-14100 has a launch MSRP of $134, while the Ultra 9 285 has a launch MSRP of $579.

Single-thread performance is closer but still favors the Ultra 9 285. In PassMark single-thread tests, the Ultra 9 285 scores 4881 versus 3759 for the i3-14100, a 23% advantage. That gap is meaningful for applications that rely on one or two fast cores, though the i3-14100 is not embarrassed in this metric. The data shows that the Ultra 9 285 is the superior processor across every measured dimension. The i3-14100 remains a functional, low-power option for users who do not need the Ultra 9 285's massive multi-core output.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How much faster is the Ultra 9 285 in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra 9 285 scores 48945 versus 12820 for the i3-14100, a delta of -73.8% from the i3's perspective, meaning the Ultra 9 285 is roughly 3.8 times faster.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-14100 and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 list ECC memory support as true in the database.

Q: What is the single-thread score difference?

A: In PassMark single-thread tests, the Ultra 9 285 scores 4881 and the i3-14100 scores 3759. The Ultra 9 285 leads by 23%.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 boosts to 5.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-14100 boosts to 4.70 GHz.

Q: Do both CPUs use the same socket?

A: No. The i3-14100 uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 9 285 uses Intel Socket 1851.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use fundamentally different designs. The Intel Core i3-14100 belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, built on the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename. It is manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The die size is 163 mm². The Ultra 9 285 belongs to Core Ultra Series 2, based on the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-S codename. It uses a 3 nm process fabricated by TSMC, with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The i3-14100 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 9 285 has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger cache allocation per core and triple the L3 capacity give the Ultra 9 285 a significant advantage in data-heavy workloads.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i3-14100 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 9 285 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Ultra 9 285's graphics solution is a newer architecture and is expected to handle more demanding display and media tasks, though the database does not provide direct graphics benchmarks for comparison.

PCIe support differs as well. The i3-14100 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Ultra 9 285 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The extra 4 lanes on the Ultra 9 285 allow for additional high-speed connectivity options for storage or expansion cards.

Specification Differences

The core count is the most obvious difference: 4 cores and 8 threads for the i3-14100 versus 24 cores and 24 threads for the Ultra 9 285. The i3-14100 uses hyper-threading to reach 8 threads from 4 cores, while the Ultra 9 285 has no thread doubling, so its thread count equals its core count.

Clock speeds favor the Ultra 9 285 on the boost side. The i3-14100 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Ultra 9 285 has a lower base clock of 2.50 GHz but a much higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The lower base clock on the Ultra 9 285 reflects its higher core count and power management strategy.

TDP figures are close: 60 W for the i3-14100 and 65 W for the Ultra 9 285. Despite having six times the cores, the Ultra 9 285 only draws 5 W more at the rated TDP, which indicates a much more power-efficient architecture per core.

Memory support narrows the field. The i3-14100 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 9 285 supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The database lists a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s for the Ultra 9 285, while no bandwidth figure is recorded for the i3-14100.

The process node and foundry differ completely: 10 nm at Intel for the i3-14100, 3 nm at TSMC for the Ultra 9 285. The Ultra 9 285 also has a larger die at 243 mm² versus 163 mm² and a much higher transistor count of 17,800 million versus no recorded figure for the i3-14100.

Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier. Both are marked as active production parts. The i3-14100 released on 2024-01-07, while the Ultra 9 285 released on 2024-12-31.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ultra 9 285 dominates every recorded comparison. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra 9 285 scores 48945 against 12820 for the i3-14100, a 73.8% deficit for the i3. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows the same pattern: 20556 for the Ultra 9 285 versus 5384 for the i3-14100. Cinebench R15 multi-core gives 4933 versus 1292. These results confirm that the Ultra 9 285 delivers roughly 3.8 times the multi-threaded rendering performance in every Cinebench version.

Single-core Cinebench results tell a similar story, though with a smaller absolute gap. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 9 285 scores 6909 versus 1809 for the i3-14100. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 2901 versus 759, and Cinebench R15 single-core shows 696 versus 182. The delta remains around 73.8% to 73.9%, indicating that the Ultra 9 285's single-core advantage is nearly as large as its multi-core advantage in Cinebench.

PassMark tests reveal the widest margins. In data encryption, the Ultra 9 285 scores 46949 versus 8838 for the i3-14100, an 81.2% deficit for the i3. Floating point math shows 194988 versus 35266, a 81.9% deficit. Find prime numbers is the most lopsided test: 459 versus 55, an 88% deficit. Random string sorting gives 73651 versus 17397, a 76.4% deficit.

The narrowest margins appear in PassMark single-thread tests. The Ultra 9 285 scores 4881 and the i3-14100 scores 3759, a 23% deficit for the i3. This is the only test where the Ultra 9 285's lead drops below 70%. It shows that in purely single-threaded integer work, the i3-14100 is more competitive, though still behind.

Other PassMark tests fall in between. Data compression shows 602121 versus 174115, a 71.1% deficit. Integer math shows 164869 versus 45329, a 72.5% deficit. Extended instructions show 45357 versus 11865, a 73.8% deficit. Multithread shows 56602 versus 15095, a 73.3% deficit. Physics shows 3598 versus 958, a 73.4% deficit.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins in every category measured. For multi-threaded workloads such as video rendering, 3D modeling, code compilation, and scientific computing, the Ultra 9 285's 24 cores and 24 threads produce scores roughly 3.8 times higher than the i3-14100 in Cinebench multi-core tests. PassMark multithread confirms this with a 73.3% advantage. The Ultra 9 285 also leads in encryption and floating-point math by over 80%, making it the stronger choice for data processing and mathematical simulations.

The i3-14100 does not win any benchmark, but its profile still defines a use case. With a 60 W TDP, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, and a lower launch MSRP, it fits basic desktop systems where the workload is light and the priority is low power draw and platform simplicity. Its PassMark single-thread score of 3759 is respectable, and its 72nd percentile ranking places it above many other CPUs in the database. For office tasks, web browsing, and legacy applications, the i3-14100 delivers adequate performance without the need for the Ultra 9 285's extensive core count.

The Ultra 9 285's closest rivals in the database are AMD EPYC 8224P, AMD EPYC 4545P, AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755X3D, and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755, all within 0.3% of its average benchmark score. The i3-14100's nearest rivals are the Intel Core 3 305, Intel Core 5 330, Intel Core 7 360, and Intel Core i3-13100, all within 0.3% as well. These proximity groups indicate that each CPU competes in a distinct performance tier, and the data does not suggest any overlap between the two tiers.