Intel Core i5-14401TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL Comparison
Intel Core i5-14401TE
Core Ultra 5 125UL
Analysis: Intel Core i5-14401TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The recorded data for this comparison contains no direct head-to-head benchmark results. Both processors have an empty benchmark array, and the wins counter shows zero for each side. The average benchmark score for both units is zero, placing each at the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the database. This means there is no empirical performance data to separate the two chips in compute workloads, gaming, or productivity tasks.
What the data does reveal is the structural potential of each design. The Intel Core i5-14401TE uses 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL carries 12 cores and 14 threads. The Ultra 5 has double the core count and two additional threads, which in multithreaded workloads typically translates to a measurable advantage. The i5-14401TE, however, has a higher boost clock at 4.50 GHz versus 4.30 GHz for the Ultra 5, and a base clock of 2.00 GHz versus 1.30 GHz. For single-threaded tasks that rely on raw frequency, the i5-14401TE should hold an edge, though no benchmark confirms this.
The absence of direct measurements makes it impossible to state a definitive winner in any category. The database shows no deltas, no percentile ranks relative to each other, and no scored tests. Any claim about performance superiority would be speculative. The only honest conclusion from the head-to-head section is that the data is incomplete, and the two processors remain unranked against one another.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL has 12 cores and 14 threads. The Intel Core i5-14401TE has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Ultra 5 doubles the core count and adds two threads.
Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two?
A: The Intel Core i5-14401TE boosts to 4.50 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL boosts to 4.30 GHz. The i5-14401TE has a 0.20 GHz higher boost clock. The base clocks also differ: 2.00 GHz for the i5-14401TE versus 1.30 GHz for the Ultra 5.
Q: How does the cache configuration differ?
A: The Intel Core i5-14401TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL has 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, but the i5-14401TE has 8 MB more L3 cache.
Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?
A: The Intel Core i5-14401TE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL does not support ECC memory.
Q: What are the memory support differences?
A: The Intel Core i5-14401TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL supports DDR5 only, with capacity depending on the motherboard, and has a listed memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The i5-14401TE has no recorded memory bandwidth figure.
Q: What are the integrated graphics options?
A: The Intel Core i5-14401TE includes UHD Graphics 730. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics. The Ultra 5 uses a more advanced Arc graphics architecture.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different architectural families. The Intel Core i5-14401TE is based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series. It is built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry, with a die size of 215 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL uses Meteor Lake architecture, specifically the Meteor Lake-PS variant, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1. It is built on a 7 nm process node, also at Intel's foundry, with no die size recorded in the database.
The core designs differ significantly. The i5-14401TE has 6 cores and 12 threads, which suggests it uses hyper-threading on all cores. The Ultra 5 has 12 cores and 14 threads, a configuration that implies a mix of performance and efficiency cores, where some cores lack hyper-threading. The thread-to-core ratio for the Ultra 5 is 1.17, while the i5-14401TE has a ratio of 2.0. This structural difference points to a hybrid core layout for the Ultra 5, common in Meteor Lake designs.
Cache hierarchies also diverge. The i5-14401TE allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 has 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the Ultra 5 may reduce latency for frequently accessed data, while the larger L3 on the i5-14401TE benefits shared data across fewer cores.
Memory support and I/O paths differ as well. The i5-14401TE supports DDR4 and DDR5, giving it flexibility with older platforms. The Ultra 5 supports DDR5 only, with the exact configuration depending on the motherboard. The i5-14401TE uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 5 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes. This makes the i5-14401TE more suited for high-bandwidth expansion like discrete GPUs or NVMe storage, whereas the Ultra 5 targets a lower-power, more integrated setup.
The sockets are incompatible. The i5-14401TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851. This means the two chips cannot be swapped on the same motherboard. The Ultra 5 also has a much lower TDP at 15 watts versus 45 watts for the i5-14401TE, indicating a power efficiency focus for the Ultra 5.
The Verdict
The data shows two processors with distinct design priorities, though no benchmark results exist to declare a performance winner. The Intel Core i5-14401TE delivers higher clock speeds, a larger L3 cache, DDR4 compatibility, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, and a 45-watt TDP. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL offers more cores, more threads, larger per-core caches, a smaller 7 nm process node, newer Arc graphics, a lower 15-watt TDP, and a higher memory bandwidth specification.
For workloads that depend on raw frequency and single-thread responsiveness, the i5-14401TE has the structural advantage on paper. Its 4.50 GHz boost clock and 2.00 GHz base clock exceed the Ultra 5's figures. The larger 20 MB L3 cache also favors scenarios where repeated access to shared data is common. The PCIe Gen 5 support and ECC memory further position the i5-14401TE for desktop tasks that require stability and high-throughput peripherals.
For multithreaded workloads or power-constrained environments, the Ultra 5 appears better positioned. Its 12 cores and 14 threads provide more parallel execution resources, and the 15-watt TDP suggests it can sustain these workloads in thermally limited systems. The 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, while dependent on motherboard configuration, indicates a capable memory subsystem. The Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics also outclasses the UHD Graphics 730 in the i5-14401TE, making the Ultra 5 more suitable for light graphics tasks without a discrete GPU.
The database records a launch MSRP of $309 for the Ultra 5, while no MSRP is listed for the i5-14401TE. The choice between the two should follow the workload: the i5-14401TE for high-frequency desktop computing, the Ultra 5 for multi-core efficiency.
Specification Differences
| Specification | Intel Core i5-14401TE | Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL |
|---|---|---|
| Series | Core 14th Gen | Core Ultra Series 1 |
| Cores | 6 | 12 |
| Threads | 12 | 14 |
| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 1.30 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.30 GHz |
| TDP | 45 W | 15 W |
| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Meteor Lake |
| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Meteor Lake-PS |
| Generation | Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) | Ultra 5 (Meteor Lake-PS) |
| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |
| Die Size | 215 mm² | Not recorded |
| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 112 KB (per core) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |
| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |
| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 (depends on motherboard) |
| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 89.6 GB/s |
| ECC Memory | Yes | No |
| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |
| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG 64EU |
| Release Date | 2024-06-30 | 2024-04-07 |
| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $309 |
| Part Number | Q4T4SRNJP | SRN96 |
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Core i5-14401TE wins in scenarios that benefit from high clock speeds. Its 4.50 GHz boost clock is the fastest figure between the two, which typically favors single-threaded applications like older games, lightly threaded productivity tools, and responsive system operations. The 45-watt TDP, while higher, suggests the i5-14401TE can sustain higher frequency operation under load. The 20 MB L3 cache provides a large pool for shared data, and with only 6 cores, each core has access to roughly 3.33 MB of L3, which may reduce memory latency. The support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory offers flexibility across existing and new platforms. The PCIe Gen 5 interface with 16 lanes supports high-bandwidth GPUs and storage devices, making the i5-14401TE a stronger choice for a desktop system with expansion needs. ECC memory support is valuable for error-sensitive workloads like data processing or long-running compute tasks.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL wins in efficiency and parallel throughput. Its 12 cores and 14 threads double the core count of the i5-14401TE, which is a strong indicator for multi-threaded workloads such as video encoding, compilation, and 3D rendering, assuming the software scales with core count. The 15-watt TDP makes it far more power-efficient, and in thermally constrained systems like compact desktops, this advantage can be decisive. The 7 nm process node suggests a denser transistor layout, which often improves performance per watt. The 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth exceeds the unspecified figure for the i5-14401TE, and larger per-core L1 and L2 caches (112 KB and 2 MB respectively) may boost performance in workloads with high cache locality. The Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics is a more capable GPU than the UHD Graphics 730, giving the Ultra 5 an advantage in media playback, light gaming, and GPU-accelerated tasks without a discrete card. The earlier release date of 2024-04-07 also means the Ultra 5 has been on the market longer.
The data does not resolve the performance question with actual scores, but the architectural split is clear. The i5-14401TE targets high-frequency desktop computing with broad I/O and memory support. The Ultra 5 targets efficient multi-core processing with a modern graphics engine and low power draw. Each processor wins in its intended domain, and the choice rests on whether the workload prioritizes clock speed or core count, power efficiency or expansion capability.