Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14490F and Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL occupy entirely different performance tiers. The i5-14490F is a full desktop processor with 10 cores, 16 threads, and a 65 W TDP, built for sustained multi-threaded workloads. The Core Ultra 5 125UL is a low-power desktop chip with 12 cores, 14 threads, and a 15 W TDP, designed for efficiency rather than raw throughput. The benchmark data confirms this split: the i5-14490F has a recorded average benchmark score of 38149 and sits at the 86th percentile among all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL has no recorded benchmark scores in the database and ranks at the 50th percentile.

The i5-14490F wins in every measurable compute category available in the database. Its Cinebench scores are substantial: 2318 in R15 multi-core, 327 in R15 single-core, 9660 in R20 multi-core, 1363 in R20 single-core, 23000 in R23 multi-core, and 3247 in R23 single-core. PassMark scores further reinforce the dominance: 340026 in data compression, 18225 in data encryption, 21731 in extended instructions, 122 in find prime numbers, 66558 in floating point math, 87844 in integer math, 28662 in multithread, 2093 in physics, 35608 in random string sorting, and 3873 in single-thread. The Core Ultra 5 125UL has no recorded benchmarks, meaning the database contains no evidence of any workload where it outperforms the i5-14490F.

The Core Ultra 5 125UL wins on power characteristics and platform features. It carries a 15 W TDP versus 65 W for the i5-14490F, a difference that points to dramatically lower heat output and power draw. It also integrates Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics, whereas the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics at all. For systems requiring a compact, low-power desktop CPU with built-in display output, the 125UL holds the advantage in those specific areas, but not in raw compute.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use different manufacturing nodes. The i5-14490F is part of the Core 14th Gen series, built on Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename. It uses a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 215 mm². The Core Ultra 5 125UL belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1, using Meteor Lake architecture with the Meteor Lake-PS codename. It uses a 7 nm process node, also from Intel as foundry, though its die size is not recorded in the database.

Core configuration differs notably. The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the 125UL has 12 cores but only 14 threads. This indicates a different core type mix: the i5-14490F likely uses a combination of performance and efficiency cores, with hyper-threading on the performance cores producing 16 threads from 10 cores. The 125UL, with 12 cores and 14 threads, has a different arrangement, consistent with Meteor Lake's hybrid design that includes low-power efficient cores. The i5-14490F clocks far higher: a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, versus 1.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost for the 125UL.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The i5-14490F has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The 125UL has 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and only 12 MB of shared L3. Despite having more cores, the 125UL carries half the L3 cache of the i5-14490F. The i5-14490F uses Intel Socket 1700, while the 125UL uses Intel Socket 1851. Memory support diverges as well: the i5-14490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the 125UL supports DDR5 only, with the exact memory support depending on the motherboard. The 125UL records a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i5-14490F has no bandwidth figure in the database. PCIe capability favors the i5-14490F with Gen 5 and 16 CPU lanes, versus Gen 4 and 8 CPU lanes for the 125UL.

The i5-14490F has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. The 125UL includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning neither supports unlocked overclocking. Release dates differ: the i5-14490F launched in early 2024 (December 31, 2023, in the database), while the 125UL launched in April 2024. The i5-14490F has a part number of SRN35, and the 125UL is SRN96.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark entries comparing the i5-14490F to the Core Ultra 5 125UL. The i5-14490F has a full suite of 17 recorded benchmark scores, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL has zero recorded scores. The wins count stands at 0 for both processors in the head-to-head field. This absence of direct comparisons means the performance relationship must be established through the aggregate data: the i5-14490F averages 38149 across all benchmarks and ranks at the 86th percentile, while the 125UL has no average score and sits at the 50th percentile.

The i5-14490F's nearest rivals in the database provide context for its performance tier. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245T scores 38194 on average, a delta of -0.1% relative to the i5-14490F, meaning the two are statistically tied. The Intel Core i5-13600KF scores 38103, a delta of +0.1%, also essentially identical. The AMD Ryzen 7 250 scores 38221, a delta of -0.2%, and the Intel Core i5-13600HX scores 38261, a delta of -0.3%. These deltas indicate the i5-14490F performs within a narrow band of roughly 0.3% of these four competitors, all of which are mid-to-high-end desktop or mobile processors. The Core Ultra 5 125UL, by contrast, has no nearest rivals listed and no delta values, reflecting its status as a low-power part with insufficient benchmark data for comparison.

The i5-14490F's single-core Cinebench R23 score of 3247 and multi-core score of 23000 demonstrate a processor capable of both responsive single-threaded work and heavy parallel loads. The PassMark integer math score of 87844 and floating point score of 66558 indicate strong general computation. The data compression score of 340026 is particularly high, suggesting excellent performance in archiving and data processing tasks. The encryption score of 18225 and extended instructions score of 21731 show capable cryptographic and SIMD work. The physics score of 2093 and multithread score of 28662 round out a profile of a well-rounded desktop CPU.

The 125UL's lack of benchmark data means the database cannot substantiate any specific performance claim for it. Its 50th percentile ranking, while lower than the i5-14490F's 86th, is based on its specifications and classification rather than measured results.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear conclusion: the Intel Core i5-14490F is the superior processor for any compute-intensive task. Its 86th percentile ranking, average benchmark score of 38149, and comprehensive suite of strong Cinebench and PassMark results place it firmly in the upper mid-range of desktop CPUs. The Core Ultra 5 125UL, with no recorded benchmarks and a 50th percentile ranking, cannot match it in any measured workload.

The i5-14490F suits users who need a high-clock, multi-threaded desktop CPU for tasks like rendering, compilation, data compression, and scientific computing. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock, 24 MB of L3 cache, and Gen 5 PCIe support make it a capable performer for a desktop workstation or gaming rig with a discrete GPU. The absence of integrated graphics is a non-issue for such systems, which will have a dedicated graphics card.

The Core Ultra 5 125UL suits a different profile entirely. Its 15 W TDP, integrated Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics, and DDR5-only support point to a low-power desktop platform, possibly for small-form-factor or always-on systems where efficiency and quiet operation matter more than peak performance. Its 12 cores and 14 threads provide decent multi-threading capability, but the 1.30 GHz base clock and 12 MB of L3 cache limit its throughput. The launch MSRP of $309 applies to the 125UL, though no pricing data is available for the i5-14490F in the database.

Users requiring maximum compute performance should choose the i5-14490F. Users prioritizing low power draw and integrated graphics should consider the 125UL, accepting its lower performance ceiling. The database records no scenario where the 125UL outperforms the i5-14490F.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL has 12 cores, while the Intel Core i5-14490F has 10 cores.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL boosts to 4.30 GHz.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Core Ultra 5 125UL includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics. The i5-14490F has no integrated graphics (N/A).

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 12 MB of shared L3 cache on the Core Ultra 5 125UL.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i5-14490F has a TDP of 65 W, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL has a TDP of 15 W, indicating the 125UL is designed for much lower power consumption.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 125UL supports DDR5 only, with support depending on the motherboard.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-14490F | Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL |

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

| Series | Core 14th Gen | Core Ultra Series 1 |

| Cores | 10 | 12 |

| Threads | 16 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 1.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Meteor Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | 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 | 24 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 (depends on motherboard) |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | N/A | Arc Xe-LPG 64EU |

| Release Date | December 31, 2023 | April 7, 2024 |

| Part Number | SRN35 | SRN96 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 86 | 50 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 38149 | 0 |