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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive sweep. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, leaving the Intel Core i5-14400 without a single victory in any measured workload. The margin is substantial across every category, though the scale of the advantage varies considerably between single-threaded and multi-threaded tests.

In Cinebench multi-core workloads, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus demonstrates overwhelming dominance. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42718 is exactly 100% higher than the i5-14400's 21315, with a recorded delta of -50.1% from the perspective of the older chip. The R20 multi-core test shows the same pattern: 17941 versus 8952, again a 100% gap. The R15 multi-core result follows suit at 4305 versus 2148. These results indicate that the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus delivers roughly double the multi-threaded rendering throughput of the Core i5-14400.

Single-core performance also favors the newer processor, but with a narrower relative margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 6030 against the i5-14400's 3009, a 100% improvement. The R20 single-core test shows 2532 versus 1263, and R15 single-core shows 607 versus 303. The consistent doubling of scores across all three Cinebench versions points to a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

PassMark system benchmarks reveal a more nuanced picture. The largest relative gap appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 452 versus just 80 for the i5-14400, an 82.3% deficit for the older chip. Data encryption shows a 59.5% deficit, with scores of 41292 and 16731. Floating point math shows a 61.5% deficit at 159824 versus 61549. Extended instructions show a 53.8% deficit at 42880 versus 19816.

The smallest gaps appear in integer math and single-threaded workloads. PassMark integer math shows the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 123030 versus 82017, a 33.3% deficit for the i5-14400. PassMark single thread shows 4698 versus 3741, a 20.4% deficit, the narrowest margin in the entire comparison. PassMark multithread shows a 50% gap at 50146 versus 25080, while data compression shows a 43.1% gap at 553155 versus 314995.

The overall average benchmark score reinforces this hierarchy. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus records an average score of 66159, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core i5-14400 averages 32115, sitting in the 82nd percentile. The delta between their average scores is roughly 106%, meaning the newer chip has more than double the aggregate performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to different generations with fundamentally different designs. The Intel Core i5-14400 uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a 215 mm² die. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture, fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm process with a 243 mm² die and 17,800 million transistors.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement of performance and efficiency cores. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads, which suggests no hyperthreading on any of its cores. Despite having fewer threads than one might expect from 18 cores, the newer chip still massively outperforms the older one.

Cache hierarchies are notably different. The i5-14400 provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 cache on the Arrow Lake part likely contributes to its single-threaded advantage.

Clock speeds favor the newer chip substantially. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The i5-14400 runs at 2.50 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. The combination of higher clocks and newer process technology explains much of the single-core performance gap.

Memory support diverges completely. The i5-14400 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports DDR5 only, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. Both processors support ECC memory.

Platform requirements differ. The i5-14400 uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses Intel Socket 1851. The newer chip offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, compared to Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the older part. The i5-14400 includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics at all.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins every recorded benchmark category. There is no workload in the database where the Core i5-14400 posts a higher score. The closest contest is PassMark single thread, where the newer chip leads by 20.4%, still a decisive margin. The largest gaps appear in prime number finding (82.3%), floating point math (61.5%), and data encryption (59.5%).

For single-threaded responsiveness, the data indicates the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus holds a clear edge. Its 20.4% lead in PassMark single thread and 100% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core suggests faster application launching and better performance in lightly threaded workloads. The higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz versus 4.70 GHz supports this interpretation.

For heavily threaded applications, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus shows an even larger advantage. The 100% lead in Cinebench multi-core tests indicates that rendering, video encoding, and scientific computing workloads will complete in roughly half the time on the newer chip. The PassMark multithread score of 50146 versus 25080 confirms this pattern.

The Core i5-14400 retains one practical advantage: integrated graphics. Users who need a display output without a discrete GPU can rely on the UHD Graphics 730. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus requires a separate graphics card for any display output. Additionally, the i5-14400's support for DDR4 memory could allow upgrades using existing memory modules, whereas the newer chip mandates DDR5.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus records an average benchmark score of 66159, compared to 32115 for the Intel Core i5-14400. This places the newer chip in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the older chip sits in the 82nd percentile.

Q: How large is the single-threaded performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 6030 against 3009 for the i5-14400, a 100% difference. PassMark single thread shows a smaller gap at 4698 versus 3741, a 20.4% lead for the newer chip.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-14400 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus support ECC memory according to the recorded specifications.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The Intel Core i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads. The newer chip has 8 more cores but 2 more threads, indicating it does not use hyperthreading.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core i5-14400 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-14400 includes integrated graphics, specifically Intel UHD Graphics 730. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

The Verdict

The benchmark data unambiguously favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus across every measured workload. Its 17-0 sweep in head-to-head comparisons, combined with an average benchmark score more than double that of the i5-14400, establishes it as the superior processor for virtually all compute-intensive tasks. The 93rd percentile placement versus the 82nd percentile placement reflects a significant generational leap.

Users seeking maximum multi-threaded throughput for rendering, encoding, or compilation should choose the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42718 versus 21315 demonstrates that heavily threaded workloads will finish in half the time. The 18 cores and 30 MB of L3 cache provide substantial headroom for parallel workloads.

Users prioritizing single-threaded performance will also favor the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. The 5.30 GHz boost clock and 6030 Cinebench R23 single-core score represent a 100% improvement over the i5-14400. The newer 3 nm TSMC process and larger per-core cache contribute to this advantage.

The Intel Core i5-14400 remains relevant only for specific platform constraints. Its support for DDR4 memory and inclusion of integrated graphics make it a viable option for builds reusing older memory or operating without a discrete GPU. Its lower 65 W TDP compared to 125 W suggests lower power draw, though no power consumption measurements are recorded in the database.

The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus offers an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the i5-14400 is locked. The newer chip also provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus 16 on the older part, offering more expansion bandwidth for GPUs and storage devices.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-14400 | Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus |

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

| Cores | 10 | 18 |

| Threads | 16 | 18 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 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 | 215 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 | 20 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

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

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $221 | $184 |