Intel Core i5-14401E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive picture. Across every single recorded Cinebench test, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus outperforms the Intel Core i5-14401E by a substantial margin. The database records six head-to-head comparisons, and the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins all six.

Starting with multi-core performance, the gap is enormous. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 4305 against 1830 for the Core i5-14401E, a 57.5 percent advantage. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus reaches 17941 while the Core i5-14401E manages 7627. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus delivers 42718, more than double the 18161 recorded by the Core i5-14401E. Each of these multi-core results shows the same 57.5 percent delta in favor of the newer processor.

Single-core results tell a similar story, though the raw numbers are smaller. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 607 versus 258 for the Core i5-14401E. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 2532 against 1076. Cinebench R23 single-core records 6030 for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus and 2564 for the Core i5-14401E. The delta remains exactly 57.5 percent across every single-core test as well, indicating a consistent performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The average benchmark score in the database reinforces this dominance. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus holds an average score of 66159, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. The Core i5-14401E averages 5253, which lands in the 60th percentile. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus sits alongside rivals such as the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, which trails by only 0.4 percent, and the Intel Core 9 273PQE, which trails by 0.1 percent. The Core i5-14401E, by contrast, competes with the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4, the Intel Core i7-11700B, the Intel Core i9-10850K, and the Intel Core i5-13400T, all within a narrow band of 0.8 percent or less.

# Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras. The Intel Core i5-14401E belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, built on Intel's Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename. It uses a 10 nanometer process node manufactured by Intel. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, based on the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, and it moves to a 3 nanometer process node fabricated by TSMC. This process shrink is a major factor in the performance difference, though the database does not directly quantify its contribution.

Core counts diverge sharply. The Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no hyper-threading, so its thread count equals its core count. The Core i5-14401E uses hyper-threading to double its thread count from 6 to 12. Despite the thread advantage per core on the older chip, the raw core count difference of 18 versus 6 gives the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus a massive parallel workload advantage.

Cache hierarchies also differ substantially. The Core i5-14401E carries 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. Every level of cache is larger on the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, both per core and in total shared capacity.

Clock speeds follow the same pattern. The Core i5-14401E has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus starts at 4.20 GHz base and boosts to 5.30 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus also has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core i5-14401E does not. This means the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus can be overclocked, adding further headroom beyond its already higher stock clocks.

Memory support differs as well. The Core i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus lists a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, while the Core i5-14401E does not have a recorded memory bandwidth figure. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity is stronger on the newer chip. The Core i5-14401E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus therefore offers four additional CPU-attached PCIe Gen 5 lanes.

The integrated graphics situation is reversed. The Core i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus requires a discrete graphics card for any display output. The Core i5-14401E can operate with its integrated GPU in a headless or basic display configuration.

Physical characteristics also differ. The Core i5-14401E has a die size of 215 mm² and uses the Intel Socket 1700. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has a die size of 243 mm², holds 17,800 million transistors, and uses the Intel Socket 1851. The two sockets are not interchangeable, so a motherboard designed for one will not accept the other.

# Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins every benchmark category recorded in the database. There are no tests where the Core i5-14401E comes out ahead. This makes the use-case split straightforward: the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is the stronger choice for any workload that relies on CPU compute.

Multi-core rendering favors the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus overwhelmingly. Cinebench R23 multicore shows a score of 42718, which is 2.35 times the Core i5-14401E's 18161. Rendering, video encoding, compilation, scientific simulation, and other parallel workloads will all benefit from the 18 cores and 30 MB of L3 cache on the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus.

Single-core performance also favors the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, though by a smaller absolute margin. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6030 versus 2564 confirms that even lightly threaded tasks run faster on the newer processor. The higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz, the 3 nm process node, and the larger per-core cache all contribute to this result.

The Core i5-14401E does have one practical advantage: its integrated UHD Graphics 730. For a system that must display output without a discrete GPU, the Core i5-14401E can function on its own. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus cannot output video without a separate graphics card. This is not a performance win in the benchmark sense, but it is a functional difference that matters for certain builds.

Power consumption is another area where the Core i5-14401E has a profile advantage. Its TDP is 65 watts, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is rated at 125 watts. The Core i5-14401E draws less power under load, which can simplify cooling requirements and reduce energy costs in always-on systems. The database does not include measured power figures, so this comparison rests on the rated TDP only.

# FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 42718, while the Intel Core i5-14401E scores 18161. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus leads by 57.5 percent.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes. Both the Intel Core i5-14401E and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E is built on Intel's 10 nm process node. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is built on TSMC's 3 nm process node.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus allow overclocking?

A: Yes. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has an unlocked multiplier. The Core i5-14401E does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has an average benchmark score of 66159, placing it in the 93rd percentile. The Intel Core i5-14401E has an average score of 5253, placing it in the 60th percentile.

# The Verdict

The recorded data supports only one conclusion for performance: the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, both single-core and multi-core, with a consistent 57.5 percent lead. Its 18 cores, 5.30 GHz boost clock, 30 MB of L3 cache, and 3 nm process node give it a decisive advantage over the 6-core, 4.70 GHz, 20 MB L3 cache Core i5-14401E.

The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus also sits in a much higher competitive tier. Its 93rd percentile ranking places it alongside the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and the Intel Core 9 273PQE, both within 0.4 percent of its average score. The Core i5-14401E, at the 60th percentile, competes with older and lower-end parts like the Intel Core i9-10850K and the Intel Core i5-13400T. The difference in class is clear from the percentile data alone.

For a user who needs maximum CPU throughput, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is the only choice based on the benchmarks. The 18 cores handle parallel workloads with ease, and the higher clocks keep single-threaded tasks fast. The unlocked multiplier adds overclocking potential on top of an already strong stock configuration.

The Core i5-14401E retains relevance only in specific scenarios. Its 65 watt TDP means lower rated power draw, which suits compact systems with modest cooling. Its integrated UHD Graphics 730 allows display output without a discrete GPU, which the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus cannot do. It also supports DDR4 memory, which can be a cost consideration for builders reusing older RAM, though the database does not record pricing for the Core i5-14401E.

The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has a launch MSRP of $184 in the database. It requires DDR5 memory, a discrete graphics card, and an Intel Socket 1851 motherboard. The Core i5-14401E has no recorded launch MSRP, uses DDR4 or DDR5, includes integrated graphics, and fits Intel Socket 1700 boards.

The data is unambiguous. For raw performance, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus dominates every recorded benchmark. The Core i5-14401E wins no benchmark comparisons and offers only power rating, integrated graphics, and memory flexibility as differentiating features. Any workload that depends on CPU compute should use the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus.

# Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The core count difference is the most striking: 6 cores and 12 threads on the Core i5-14401E versus 18 cores and 18 threads on the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. The Core i5-14401E uses hyper-threading, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus does not.

Clock speeds favor the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. Its base clock is 4.20 GHz versus 2.50 GHz, and its boost clock is 5.30 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. The multiplier is unlocked on the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus and locked on the Core i5-14401E.

Cache sizes are larger on the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at every level. L1 cache is 192 KB per core versus 80 KB per core. L2 cache is 3 MB per core versus 1.25 MB per core. L3 cache is 30 MB shared versus 20 MB shared.

The process node moves from Intel 10 nm to TSMC 3 nm. The die size grows from 215 mm² to 243 mm². The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus records 17,800 million transistors; the Core i5-14401E has no transistor count in the database.

Memory support narrows on the newer chip. The Core i5-14401E supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus lists 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth; the Core i5-14401E has no recorded bandwidth figure.

PCIe connectivity expands on the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, with Gen 5 and 20 lanes versus Gen 5 and 16 lanes on the Core i5-14401E. Integrated graphics are present on the Core i5-14401E as UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has N/A.

TDP rises from 65 watts on the Core i5-14401E to 125 watts on the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core i5-14401E, Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. Both support ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has a launch MSRP of $184, while the Core i5-14401E has no recorded launch MSRP. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus was released later in the database timeline, with the Core i5-14401E dated June 2024 and the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus dated March 2026. Both are listed as active production parts in the desktop market segment.