Intel Core i5-14401E vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-14401E and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 represent two distinct points in Intel’s desktop lineup, separated by a full architectural generation and a significant performance gulf. The i5-14401E is a 6-core, 12-thread Raptor Lake Refresh part on the LGA 1700 socket, while the Core Ultra 9 285 is a 24-core, 24-thread Arrow Lake flagship on the LGA 1851 socket. Benchmark data from the database shows the Core Ultra 9 285 winning every single head-to-head comparison, with a consistent performance advantage of roughly 62.9% across all tested workloads. This analysis walks through the architecture, benchmark results, and use-case implications strictly from the recorded data.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 outperforms the Intel Core i5-14401E in every recorded benchmark. The Core Ultra 9 285 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, while the i5-14401E records zero wins. The Core Ultra 9 285 also sits at the 95th percentile among all CPUs in the database, whereas the i5-14401E sits at the 60th percentile. For workloads that rely heavily on multi-threaded performance, such as rendering, video encoding, or scientific simulation, the Core Ultra 9 285 is the clear choice, delivering more than double the multi-core score in Cinebench R23 (48,945 versus 18,161). For single-threaded tasks, the Core Ultra 9 285 also leads decisively, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6,909 versus 2,564 for the i5-14401E.

The i5-14401E is not without merit, however. Its 65-watt TDP matches the Core Ultra 9 285 exactly, and it supports DDR4 memory in addition to DDR5, which offers platform flexibility. The i5-14401E also has a smaller die size (215 mm² versus 243 mm²) and a simpler 6-core design, which may appeal to users looking for a straightforward, lower-core-count desktop processor. But the recorded data shows no benchmark scenario where the i5-14401E takes the lead. The Core Ultra 9 285 is the stronger processor across the board, and the only reason to choose the i5-14401E is if the platform requirements (Socket 1700, DDR4 support, or a lower transistor count) are more important than raw performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from completely different design families. The i5-14401E is based on Raptor Lake-R architecture, which is a refresh of the Raptor Lake design. It uses a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. The Core Ultra 9 285 uses the Arrow Lake-S architecture, built on a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. This node difference alone explains much of the performance gap: the smaller 3 nm process allows for higher transistor density and better power efficiency, which translates directly into higher clock speeds and more cores.

The core counts differ sharply. The i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, meaning it supports hyper-threading. The Core Ultra 9 285 has 24 cores and 24 threads, with no hyper-threading, indicating a hybrid configuration of performance and efficiency cores. The cache hierarchy also differs substantially. The i5-14401E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 9 285 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. This larger cache allocation, particularly the 80% increase in L3 capacity, gives the Core Ultra 9 285 a significant advantage in data-heavy workloads.

The Core Ultra 9 285 also features a higher boost clock: 5.60 GHz versus 4.70 GHz for the i5-14401E. The base clocks are identical at 2.50 GHz. The Core Ultra 9 285 has more PCIe lanes (20 lanes of Gen 5, CPU-only) compared to the i5-14401E’s 16 lanes of Gen 5. The integrated graphics differ as well: the i5-14401E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 9 285 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, which is a more capable GPU solution. The Core Ultra 9 285 also has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, a figure not listed for the i5-14401E, and supports only DDR5, whereas the i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both processors support ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

The transistor count is another major divider. The Core Ultra 9 285 contains 17,800 million transistors, while the i5-14401E has no recorded transistor count. The Core Ultra 9 285’s die size is 243 mm², slightly larger than the i5-14401E’s 215 mm², which is surprising given the much higher core count, suggesting the 3 nm process allows for a more compact layout.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains six head-to-head comparisons, all from the Cinebench suite. In every single test, the Core Ultra 9 285 wins, and the margin is consistently recorded at 62.9% in favor of the Core Ultra 9 285. This uniform delta across different Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) and both single-core and multi-core modes indicates a proportional performance advantage rather than a workload-specific one.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-14401E scores 1,830, while the Core Ultra 9 285 scores 4,933. The single-core R15 test shows 258 for the i5-14401E and 696 for the Core Ultra 9 285. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 7,627 for the i5-14401E and 20,556 for the Core Ultra 9 285. The single-core R20 scores are 1,076 and 2,901, respectively. In Cinebench R23, the most modern test, the multi-core score for the i5-14401E is 18,161, while the Core Ultra 9 285 reaches 48,945. The single-core R23 scores are 2,564 and 6,909, respectively.

The Core Ultra 9 285’s advantage is not marginal. In multi-core tests, it delivers roughly 2.7 times the score of the i5-14401E in R23 (48,945 compared to 18,161). In single-core tests, the multiple is also about 2.7 (6,909 versus 2,564). This consistency suggests that the performance gap is driven by both the higher clock speed (5.60 GHz versus 4.70 GHz) and the larger core count, rather than any single architectural feature. The Core Ultra 9 285 also has additional PassMark benchmarks recorded, including data compression (602,121), data encryption (46,949), and physics (3,598), but no comparable figures exist for the i5-14401E, so those cannot be directly compared.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the i5-14401E and the Core Ultra 9 285 have ECC memory support recorded in the database.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The i5-14401E has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core Ultra 9 285 has 36 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the i5-14401E supports DDR4 memory. The Core Ultra 9 285 supports DDR5 memory exclusively.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does each processor provide?

A: The i5-14401E provides 16 lanes of Gen 5 PCIe (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 9 285 provides 20 lanes of Gen 5 PCIe (CPU only).

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The i5-14401E uses a 10 nm process node from Intel, while the Core Ultra 9 285 uses a 3 nm process node from TSMC.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Core Ultra 9 285 wins in every benchmark category. It dominates multi-threaded workloads, with Cinebench R23 multi-core scores of 48,945 versus 18,161, and it also leads in single-threaded tests, with R23 single-core scores of 6,909 versus 2,564. The Core Ultra 9 285’s higher boost clock (5.60 GHz) and larger cache (36 MB L3) give it an edge in both latency-sensitive and throughput-driven tasks. The Core Ultra 9 285 also has a higher average benchmark score (75,488) compared to the i5-14401E (5,253), and it sits in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 60th percentile for the i5-14401E.

The i5-14401E, despite losing all head-to-head tests, has its own set of advantages. It uses a smaller die (215 mm²), which may be preferable for systems where physical space or thermal density is a concern. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving builders more memory options. It also has a lower transistor count (not recorded) and a simpler core layout, which could result in easier cooling requirements, though the TDP is identical at 65 watts for both. The i5-14401E is also on the older Socket 1700 platform, which may be more widely available or cheaper for existing builds, though pricing data is not included in this analysis.

For users who need maximum performance in rendering, compilation, or any parallel workload, the Core Ultra 9 285 is the only logical choice. For users who prioritize platform flexibility, particularly DDR4 compatibility, or who are building on a Socket 1700 motherboard, the i5-14401E remains a functional, lower-core-count option, but the data shows no performance scenario where it outperforms the Core Ultra 9 285.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors, based solely on the database records:

• Cores: The i5-14401E has 6 cores; the Core Ultra 9 285 has 24 cores.
• Threads: The i5-14401E has 12 threads; the Core Ultra 9 285 has 24 threads.
• Boost Clock: The i5-14401E runs at 4.70 GHz; the Core Ultra 9 285 runs at 5.60 GHz.
• Socket: The i5-14401E uses Intel Socket 1700; the Core Ultra 9 285 uses Intel Socket 1851.
• Architecture: The i5-14401E is Raptor Lake (Raptor Lake-R); the Core Ultra 9 285 is Arrow Lake (Arrow Lake-S).
• Process Node: The i5-14401E uses 10 nm (Intel); the Core Ultra 9 285 uses 3 nm (TSMC).
• Transistors: No value for the i5-14401E; 17,800 million for the Core Ultra 9 285.
• Die Size: 215 mm² for the i5-14401E; 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 9 285.
• L1 Cache: 80 KB per core for the i5-14401E; 192 KB per core for the Core Ultra 9 285.
• L2 Cache: 1.25 MB per core for the i5-14401E; 3 MB per core for the Core Ultra 9 285.
• L3 Cache: 20 MB shared for the i5-14401E; 36 MB shared for the Core Ultra 9 285.
• Memory Support: DDR4 and DDR5 for the i5-14401E; DDR5 only for the Core Ultra 9 285.
• Memory Bandwidth: Not recorded for the i5-14401E; 102.4 GB/s for the Core Ultra 9 285.
• PCIe Lanes: Gen 5, 16 lanes for the i5-14401E; Gen 5, 20 lanes for the Core Ultra 9 285.
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 730 for the i5-14401E; Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for the Core Ultra 9 285.
• Release Date: June 30, 2024 for the i5-14401E; December 31, 2024 for the Core Ultra 9 285.
• Launch MSRP: None recorded for the i5-14401E; $579 for the Core Ultra 9 285.
• Part Number: Q49JSRNJS for the i5-14401E; SRQD4 for the Core Ultra 9 285.