Intel Core i5-14400 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data records 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons between the Intel Core i5-14400 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. The Ultra 5 250K Plus wins 16 of them, with the i5-14400 securing a single victory.

The most decisive margin for the Ultra 5 250K Plus appears in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where it scores 486 against 80, a delta of -83.5% from the i5-14400's perspective. This indicates a massive advantage in workloads that stress integer prime computation, likely reflecting the newer architecture's efficiency in that specific instruction pattern.

In cinebench_r15_multicore, the Ultra 5 250K Plus records 4640 versus 2148 for the i5-14400, a -53.7% delta. The gap narrows somewhat in cinebench_r23_multicore, where the Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 30867 against 21315, a -30.9% delta. This suggests the multi-core advantage persists across rendering workloads but varies with the specific test version.

The single-core results present a more nuanced picture. In cinebench_r15_singlecore, the Ultra 5 250K Plus wins narrowly with 328 against 303, a -7.6% delta. In cinebench_r20_singlecore, the margin widens dramatically: 2603 versus 1263, a -51.5% delta. However, in cinebench_r23_singlecore, the i5-14400 takes its only win with 3009 against 2261, a +33.1% delta in its favor. This inversion is notable, as it shows the newer part does not universally dominate in single-threaded rendering.

The passmark suite reinforces the Ultra 5 250K Plus's overall superiority. In passmark_data_compression, it scores 568721 against 314995, a -44.6% delta. In passmark_data_encryption, the margin is larger: 42144 versus 16731, a -60.3% delta. The extended instructions test shows 44565 versus 19816, a -55.5% delta. Floating point math delivers 162692 versus 61549, a -62.2% delta. Integer math shows 125091 versus 82017, a -34.4% delta. Multithread performance is 51596 versus 25080, a -51.4% delta. Physics simulation scores 3494 versus 1396, a -60% delta. Random string sorting records 69090 versus 32346, a -53.2% delta.

In passmark_single_thread, the Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 4757 against 3741, a -21.4% delta. This represents a solid but not overwhelming lead in general single-threaded throughput.

The average benchmark score tells a similar story. The i5-14400 averages 32115 across all recorded benchmarks, placing it in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. The Ultra 5 250K Plus averages 66855, placing it in the 93rd percentile. The nearest rivals for the i5-14400 include the Intel Core i7-12800H at 32121 (0% delta), the Intel Core i7-13705H at 32076 (0.1% delta), the Intel Core i5-14450HX at 32040 (0.2% delta), and the Intel Core i9-11900 at 32226 (-0.3% delta). The Ultra 5 250K Plus's nearest rivals are the AMD EPYC 4465P at 66925 (-0.1% delta), the Intel Xeon 6515P at 67006 (-0.2% delta), the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX at 67469 (-0.9% delta), and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 66159 (1.1% delta).

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus for nearly every workload category. Its 18 cores and 18 threads, compared to the i5-14400's 10 cores and 16 threads, provide a substantial parallel processing advantage that shows up across the entire multi-threaded test suite. The 93rd percentile ranking versus the 82nd percentile confirms that the newer part sits in a higher performance tier overall.

The i5-14400's single win in cinebench_r23_singlecore, with a +33.1% delta, is the only bright spot for the older chip. This suggests that in certain single-threaded rendering scenarios, the Raptor Lake architecture can outperform the newer Arrow Lake Refresh design. However, this is an isolated result; the passmark_single_thread test shows the Ultra 5 250K Plus ahead by -21.4%, and cinebench_r20_singlecore shows a -51.5% advantage for the newer part.

The average benchmark score difference is substantial: 66855 for the Ultra 5 250K Plus versus 32115 for the i5-14400. That represents more than double the aggregate performance. The nearest rival data reinforces this gap, with the Ultra 5 250K Plus competing against high-end server and workstation parts like the AMD EPYC 4465P and the Intel Xeon 6515P, while the i5-14400 sits alongside mobile and older desktop processors.

For users prioritizing raw throughput in rendering, encryption, compression, or physics simulation, the Ultra 5 250K Plus is the clear choice based on the recorded scores. The i5-14400 remains competitive only in the narrow case of cinebench_r23_singlecore, where it outperforms the newer chip. No other benchmark in the database shows the i5-14400 ahead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has an average benchmark score of 66855, while the Intel Core i5-14400 averages 32115.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads.

Q: In which benchmark does the Intel Core i5-14400 beat the Ultra 5 250K Plus?

A: The i5-14400 wins only in cinebench_r23_singlecore, scoring 3009 against 2261, a +33.1% delta.

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

A: The largest gap is in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 486 versus the i5-14400's 80, a -83.5% delta.

Q: What is the percentile ranking for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-14400 ranks in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus ranks in the 93rd percentile.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14400 has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several core specifications. The Intel Core i5-14400 uses 10 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses 18 cores and 18 threads, with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz.

Thermal design power differs significantly: the i5-14400 is rated at 65 W, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus is rated at 125 W. The sockets are incompatible: the i5-14400 uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851.

Memory support also differs. The i5-14400 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Ultra 5 250K Plus records a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, a figure not listed for the i5-14400. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs: the i5-14400 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 5 250K Plus provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: the i5-14400 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

The multiplier is locked on the i5-14400, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus has an unlocked multiplier. The launch MSRP for the i5-14400 is $221, and for the Ultra 5 250K Plus it is $199. The part numbers are SRN3QSRN46 for the i5-14400 and SA4UZ for the Ultra 5 250K Plus.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Core i5-14400 belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, using the Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-R, and is part of the Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, uses the codename Arrow Lake Refresh, and is part of the Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake) generation.

The manufacturing process differs fundamentally. The i5-14400 is built on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry, with a die size of 215 mm². The Ultra 5 250K Plus is built on a 3 nm process at TSMC, with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors. The i5-14400's transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Cache layouts are also distinct. The i5-14400 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 250K Plus has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither processor has 3D V-Cache recorded.

The release dates differ by over two years. The i5-14400 was released on 2024-01-07, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus was released on 2026-03-10. Both are currently listed as active in production and target the desktop market segment. The architecture field is listed as Raptor Lake for the i5-14400, while it is null for the Ultra 5 250K Plus, with the codename Arrow Lake Refresh serving as the primary architectural identifier for the newer part.