Intel Core i3-14100F vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents an unambiguous picture: the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i3-14100F. The Ultra 5 338H delivers a substantially higher average benchmark score of 33989 versus 18519 for the i3-14100F, placing it in the 84th percentile of all CPUs while the i3-14100F sits in the 72nd percentile. The gap is not marginal; it shows a processor built on a newer architecture with more cores and a more efficient process node.

For desktop users building a Socket 1700 system, the i3-14100F remains a functional choice with its 4 cores, 8 threads, and 58 W TDP. However, the benchmark data shows it trailing the Ultra 5 338H by double-digit percentages in almost every test category. The largest deficit appears in passmark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 5 338H scores 304 against 61, a 79.9% difference. Even in the closest contest, passmark single thread, the Ultra 5 338H leads by 9.6% with 4180 points versus 3778.

The Ultra 5 338H targets mobile platforms with its BGA 2540 socket and 25 W TDP, while the i3-14100F is a desktop part. Users seeking maximum multi-threaded throughput should clearly select the Ultra 5 338H based on the cinebench r23 multicore score of 16331 versus 13084, a 19.9% advantage. For single-core workloads, the Ultra 5 338H again leads in cinebench r23 singlecore by 9.6% (2044 versus 1847). The data does not reveal any scenario where the i3-14100F wins, so the choice depends entirely on platform compatibility and power envelope priorities rather than performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor shows a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H records an average benchmark score of 33989, while the Intel Core i3-14100F averages 18519. The Ultra 5 338H also reaches the 84th percentile versus the 72nd percentile for the i3-14100F.

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

A: In cinebench r23 multicore, the Ultra 5 338H scores 16331 against 13084 for the i3-14100F, a 19.9% lead. The gap widens in cinebench r20 multicore where the Ultra 5 338H scores 10213 versus 5495, a 46.2% difference.

Q: Does the i3-14100F win any benchmark category?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the Ultra 5 338H winning all 17 recorded tests. The closest result is passmark single thread with a 9.6% difference, still favoring the Ultra 5 338H.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The i3-14100F has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads, meaning it does not use simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The i3-14100F supports ECC memory, while the Ultra 5 338H does not. The i3-14100F also supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the Ultra 5 338H supports only LPDDR5X.

Q: What is the process node difference?

A: The i3-14100F uses Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 163 mm². The Ultra 5 338H uses a 3 nm process, and its die size is not recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two Intel parts is significant. The i3-14100F belongs to the Raptor Lake family, specifically Raptor Lake-R, and is part of the Core 14th Gen series. It uses the Raptor Lake refresh generation and is built on Intel's 10 nm process node. The Ultra 5 338H, in contrast, belongs to the Panther Lake architecture with the Panther Lake-H generation, part of the Core Ultra Series 3, and uses a 3 nm process node. This process shrink alone explains part of the efficiency and performance differences observed in the benchmarks.

Cache layouts differ markedly. The i3-14100F provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 338H offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core caches and higher total L3 capacity on the Ultra 5 338H contribute to its superior performance in cache-sensitive workloads such as passmark data compression, where it scores 276539 versus 176106.

The i3-14100F is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 338H is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2540. This platform difference affects memory support: the i3-14100F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, while the Ultra 5 338H supports only LPDDR5X in dual-channel mode with a recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. The i3-14100F includes ECC memory support, which the Ultra 5 338H lacks. PCIe lane allocation also differs, with the i3-14100F providing Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only) versus the Ultra 5 338H's Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics separate the two as well. The i3-14100F has no integrated graphics, while the Ultra 5 338H includes an Arc B370 GPU. This makes the Ultra 5 338H viable for systems without a discrete graphics card, a capability the i3-14100F does not offer. The i3-14100F has a launch MSRP of $109, while the Ultra 5 338H has no recorded launch MSRP.

Specification Differences

The core count difference is the most immediate specification gap. The i3-14100F has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: the i3-14100F runs at 3.50 GHz base, while the Ultra 5 338H runs at 1.90 GHz base. Both processors share the same 4.70 GHz boost clock, which explains the relatively smaller single-thread performance gap compared to multi-threaded workloads.

Power envelopes diverge sharply. The i3-14100F has a TDP of 58 W, while the Ultra 5 338H has a TDP of 25 W. Despite the lower power limit, the Ultra 5 338H achieves higher performance across all benchmarks, indicating the efficiency gains from the 3 nm process against the 10 nm process of the i3-14100F.

Memory support differs in type and bandwidth. The i3-14100F supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory bus, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded. The Ultra 5 338H supports LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory bus and a recorded bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. ECC support exists only on the i3-14100F. PCIe lanes differ: 16 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only) for the i3-14100F versus 4 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only) for the Ultra 5 338H. The i3-14100F has no integrated graphics, while the Ultra 5 338H includes Arc B370. The i3-14100F has a die size of 163 mm², while the Ultra 5 338H's die size is not recorded. Release dates differ by two years: the i3-14100F launched on 2024-01-07, and the Ultra 5 338H launched on 2026-01-04.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent pattern of Ultra 5 338H dominance. In cinebench r15 multicore, the Ultra 5 338H scores 2504 against 1318 for the i3-14100F, a 47.4% advantage. The single-core r15 test shows a 39% lead for the Ultra 5 338H (305 versus 186). Moving to cinebench r20, the multicore gap stays at 46.2% (10213 versus 5495), and the single-core gap also stays at 46.2% (1441 versus 775). In cinebench r23, the multicore gap narrows to 19.9% (16331 versus 13084), while the single-core gap narrows to 9.6% (2044 versus 1847). This narrowing in newer cinebench versions suggests the i3-14100F's architecture scales better with longer workloads, though it still loses.

Passmark tests reveal the widest margins. Data compression shows the Ultra 5 338H at 276539 versus 176106, a 36.3% lead. Data encryption shows a 58.2% gap (21367 versus 8922). Extended instructions show a 49.9% gap (23906 versus 11984). Prime number finding shows the largest deficit at 79.9% (304 versus 61). Floating point math shows a 57.9% gap (84067 versus 35370). Integer math shows a 30.1% gap (64934 versus 45357). Multithread shows a 46.3% gap (28717 versus 15420). Physics shows a 60.1% gap (2697 versus 1077). Random string sorting shows a 48.4% gap (34082 versus 17596). The single-thread passmark tests show the smallest gaps at 9.6% (4180 versus 3778).

The nearest rival data provides context. The i3-14100F sits within 0.8% of the Intel Core i3-13100 and Intel Core 7 360, and within 0.1% of the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE. The Ultra 5 338H sits within 0.3% of the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H, 0.3% of the Intel Core i7-12800HX, 0.4% of the Intel Xeon 6353P, and 0.7% of the AMD EPYC 4244P. These rival comparisons place the Ultra 5 338H alongside much higher-tier mobile and server parts.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Ultra 5 338H wins every single benchmark category. The i3-14100F does not record a single victory. However, the use-case split depends on platform requirements rather than performance. The i3-14100F suits desktop systems with Socket 1700 motherboards, where users require ECC memory support, DDR4 compatibility, or 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes for multiple expansion cards. Its 58 W TDP allows for a wider range of air coolers and standard desktop power supplies.

The Ultra 5 338H wins for mobile applications with its BGA 2540 socket and 25 W TDP, making it suitable for laptops and compact devices. Its integrated Arc B370 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic display output, which the i3-14100F cannot do. The LPDDR5X memory support with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth provides a high-speed unified memory path. The 3 nm process node delivers higher performance with lower power consumption, which the benchmark results confirm across all tests.

For workloads that stress multi-threaded performance, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or data compression, the Ultra 5 338H provides leads between 19.9% and 79.9%. For single-threaded responsiveness, the Ultra 5 338H still leads but by smaller margins of 9.6% to 46.2% depending on the test version. The i3-14100F's only advantages are its platform features: ECC support, DDR4/DDR5 flexibility, and higher PCIe lane count. The benchmark data offers no performance scenario favoring the i3-14100F, so the choice reduces to socket compatibility and feature requirements.