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

Intel Core i5-14401TE and Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus represent two distinct generations of desktop processors from the same manufacturer, separated by a significant architectural shift. The database records show that the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus holds a 93rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the Core i5-14401TE sits at the 50th percentile. This gap in overall standing is reflected across nearly every benchmark category, but the specific reasons for the performance disparity lie in the fundamental design differences between the two chips.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401TE has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The Ultra 5 has triple the core count but offers no hyper-threading, resulting in 6 fewer threads than the i5.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus boosts to 5.30 GHz, which is 0.80 GHz higher than the Core i5-14401TE's maximum boost of 4.50 GHz. The base clocks differ even more, with the Ultra 5 running at 4.20 GHz compared to the i5's 2.00 GHz.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare between the two chips?

A: 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. The Core i5-14401TE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What manufacturing processes are used for each processor?

A: The Core i5-14401TE is built on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry with a die size of 215 mm². The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is fabricated on a 3 nm process at TSMC with a die size of 243 mm² and contains 17,800 million transistors.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-14401TE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus support ECC memory. The i5 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 5 supports only DDR5.

Q: What is the thermal design power for each processor?

A: The Core i5-14401TE has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has a TDP of 125 watts. The Ultra 5 also has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i5 does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages within Intel's product stack. The Core i5-14401TE belongs to the Raptor Lake generation, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is based on the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture within the Core Ultra Series 2 family. This is not a simple clock speed improvement; the underlying design philosophy differs.

The Core i5-14401TE uses a 10 nm process node manufactured at Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 215 mm². The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses a 3 nm process node from TSMC, which allows for a transistor count of 17,800 million on a slightly larger 243 mm² die. The smaller process node is a key factor in the Ultra 5's ability to pack 18 cores into a similar physical footprint.

Cache organization also differs substantially. The i5 provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 20 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 provides 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core, with 30 MB of shared L3. The per-core cache increases are substantial, and the total L3 pool is 50% larger on the Ultra 5. This additional cache capacity is critical for workloads that repeatedly access the same data sets.

Memory support marks another clear separation. The i5 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Ultra 5 supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but the database records a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s for the newer chip. The i5 does not have a recorded memory bandwidth figure, but the DDR5-only support on the Ultra 5 indicates a more modern memory controller.

PCIe lanes also differ. The i5 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Ultra 5 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. This gives the Ultra 5 additional headroom for expansion cards or storage devices.

The integrated graphics situation is inverted. The i5 includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 5 has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A). This means the Ultra 5 requires a discrete graphics card for any display output, while the i5 can operate with a basic display adapter.

The socket types differ as well. The i5 uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851. These are physically incompatible platforms, requiring different motherboards.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark results between these two processors. However, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has a full set of recorded benchmark scores, while the Core i5-14401TE has no individual benchmark entries. The absence of scores for the i5 means direct numerical comparisons cannot be made from the recorded data.

What can be analyzed is the Ultra 5's performance profile relative to its nearest rivals in the database. The closest competitor is the Intel Core 9 273PQE, which has an average score of 66099, a negligible 0.1% difference from the Ultra 5's 66159. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D scores 65914, which is 0.4% lower. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 66855, which is 1% higher than the 250KF Plus. The AMD EPYC 4465P scores 66925, which is 1.1% higher.

For the Ultra 5's own benchmark results, the Cinebench scores show strong multi-threaded performance. The R23 multi-core score is 42718, while the single-core score is 6030. In R20, the multi-core score is 17941 and single-core is 2532. In R15, multi-core reaches 4305 and single-core 607. These numbers indicate a processor that scales well across all cores, which aligns with its 18-core configuration.

The Passmark suite provides additional detail. The multi-thread score is 50146, and the single-thread score is 4698 (recorded twice under slightly different test names). Integer math scores 123030, floating point math scores 159824, and extended instructions score 42880. Data compression scores 553155, while data encryption scores 41292. Find prime numbers scores 452, physics scores 3183, and random string sorting scores 67209.

The i5-14401TE has no benchmark data in the database, so its performance cannot be quantified against the Ultra 5. The percentile ranking of 50 for the i5 versus 93 for the Ultra 5 provides a broad indication of where each sits in the overall distribution, but it does not translate into specific score deltas.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every measurable specification. The Core i5-14401TE has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz versus 4.20 GHz, and boost clocks are 4.50 GHz versus 5.30 GHz, both favoring the Ultra 5.

TDP is 45 watts for the i5 and 125 watts for the Ultra 5. The i5 uses Intel Socket 1700, the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851. The i5 is built on a 10 nm process at Intel, while the Ultra 5 uses a 3 nm process at TSMC. The Ultra 5 has a recorded transistor count of 17,800 million; the i5 does not have a transistor count in the database. Die sizes are 215 mm² for the i5 and 243 mm² for the Ultra 5.

The L1 cache is 80 KB per core on the i5 versus 192 KB per core on the Ultra 5. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core versus 3 MB per core. L3 cache is 20 MB shared versus 30 MB shared. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 on the i5, DDR5 only on the Ultra 5. The Ultra 5 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s; the i5 has none recorded.

PCIe capability is Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the i5 and Gen 5 with 20 lanes on the Ultra 5. The i5 has integrated UHD Graphics 730; the Ultra 5 has no integrated graphics. The i5 has a locked multiplier; the Ultra 5 has an unlocked multiplier. The i5 launched on 2024-06-30, while the Ultra 5 launched on 2026-03-10. The Ultra 5 has a launch MSRP of $184; the i5 has no recorded launch price.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins in scenarios that demand high core counts and high clock speeds. Its 18 cores and 18 threads provide a significant advantage in multi-threaded workloads such as rendering, video encoding, scientific computation, and software compilation. The 5.30 GHz boost clock also gives it an edge in single-threaded tasks that benefit from raw clock speed, such as gaming or lightly threaded applications.

The Ultra 5's larger L3 cache of 30 MB, combined with 3 MB of L2 per core, reduces memory latency for data-heavy workloads. The 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth further supports high-throughput tasks. The unlocked multiplier allows users to adjust clock speeds for additional performance, provided the cooling and power delivery can handle the 125 watt TDP.

The Core i5-14401TE wins in scenarios where power consumption is the primary constraint. Its 45 watt TDP is less than half that of the Ultra 5, making it suitable for compact systems, small form factor builds, or environments where thermal output and electricity usage are tightly controlled. The integrated UHD Graphics 730 means the i5 can operate without a discrete graphics card, which the Ultra 5 cannot do.

The i5's support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory provides flexibility in system building. Users with existing DDR4 memory can reuse it, lowering the cost of a new build. The i5 also has a lower boost clock of 4.50 GHz, but this is still a capable figure for a 45 watt part.

The database shows zero recorded wins for either processor in head-to-head comparisons, since no such comparisons exist in the data. Based on the available specifications and benchmarks, the Ultra 5 dominates in raw compute performance across the board. The i5 offers a different trade-off: efficiency and flexibility at the cost of performance.

For users prioritizing maximum throughput, the Ultra 5 is the clear choice. Its benchmark scores, particularly the Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 42718 and Passmark multi-thread score of 50146, place it in the top percentile of all CPUs. The i5, with no recorded benchmarks, cannot match these figures.

For users prioritizing low power draw and integrated graphics, the i5 is the appropriate selection. The 45 watt TDP and UHD Graphics 730 make it a self-contained solution for basic computing tasks, media playback, or light productivity work without the need for additional hardware.

The release timeline also matters. The i5 launched in mid-2024, while the Ultra 5 launched in early 2026. The newer processor benefits from two years of manufacturing and architecture advancements, including the TSMC 3 nm process. The i5's 10 nm process is older technology, which explains the higher power draw relative to its core count.

In summary, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is the superior performer in almost every measurable category, with higher clocks, more cores, more cache, and a smaller manufacturing process. The Intel Core i5-14401TE is a lower-power alternative with integrated graphics and broader memory support, but it lacks the benchmark presence and raw capabilities of its newer counterpart. The data supports a clear separation: the Ultra 5 for performance, the i5 for efficiency.