Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235A Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i5-14490F and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is decisively one-sided. Across all 17 recorded comparisons, the Core Ultra 5 235A takes the win. The largest margins appear in PassMark's prime number search, where the Core Ultra 5 235A scores 392 against 122 for the Core i5-14490F, a 68.9% advantage. That result highlights a major leap in integer-heavy compute, likely tied to the newer architecture's per-core efficiency.

Floating-point math shows a similar story. The Core Ultra 5 235A records 118778 in PassMark floating point math versus 66558 for the Core i5-14490F, a 44% lead. Extended instruction throughput also favors the newer chip: 31625 versus 21731, a 31.3% gap. Data encryption is another standout, with the Core Ultra 5 235A scoring 30136 compared to 18225, a 39.5% difference. These are not marginal wins; they represent a generational shift in raw compute capability.

The Cinebench suite reinforces the pattern. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 235A posts 32633 versus 23000 for the Core i5-14490F, a 29.5% lead. Single-core R23 also goes to the Core Ultra 5 235A at 4607 versus 3247, the same 29.5% delta. The identical percentage across all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23, both single and multi-core) suggests a consistent clock-for-clock and IPC improvement rather than workload-specific behavior.

PassMark multi-thread performance puts the Core Ultra 5 235A at 38392 against 28662, a 25.3% lead. Single-thread PassMark scores show 4557 versus 3873, a 15% gap. The narrowest margin is in PassMark integer math: 88626 versus 87844, only a 0.9% difference. That near-tie indicates the older chip's integer pipeline remains competitive, but it is the exception rather than the rule.

Random string sorting favors the Core Ultra 5 235A by 28% (49489 versus 35608). Data compression shows a 13.7% lead for the newer part (393800 versus 340026). Physics simulation scores 2437 versus 2093, a 14.1% difference. Overall, the average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 235A is 48201, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The Core i5-14490F averages 38149, sitting in the 86th percentile. The Core Ultra 5 235A's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 at a 0.1% delta and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX at -0.2%, while the Core i5-14490F sits close to the Intel Core i5-13600KF at 0.1% and the AMD Ryzen 7 250 at -0.2%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design eras. The Intel Core i5-14490F uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It belongs to the Core 14th Gen series. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A uses Arrow Lake, the Arrow Lake-S die, fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm node. The foundry shift is significant: Intel for the older chip, TSMC for the newer one. The Core Ultra 5 235A integrates 17,800 million transistors across a 243 mm² die, while the Core i5-14490F has a 215 mm² die with no transistor count recorded in the database.

Core configuration differs substantially. The Core i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating the presence of hyper-threading. The Core Ultra 5 235A has 14 cores but only 14 threads, meaning it does not use simultaneous multi-threading. Despite fewer threads, the newer chip wins every multi-threaded test, which points to much higher per-core throughput. Both parts share a 5.00 GHz boost clock, but the base clock differs: 2.50 GHz for the Core i5-14490F versus 3.40 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 235A.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Core i5-14490F has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 235A has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and the same 24 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches on the Arrow Lake part help explain its single-thread advantage.

Memory support moves forward as well. The Core i5-14490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 235A supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The Core Ultra 5 235A has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s; the Core i5-14490F has no bandwidth figure in the database. PCIe connectivity also improves: the Core i5-14490F provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 235A provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics mark another difference. The Core i5-14490F has no integrated graphics. The Core Ultra 5 235A includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units. Sockets differ as well: the Core i5-14490F uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 235A uses Intel Socket 1851. Both parts are locked, with no unlocked multiplier. Neither supports ECC memory. Production status for both is listed as Active.

The release timeline shows the Core i5-14490F launching at the end of 2023 and the Core Ultra 5 235A launching in late July 2025. The launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 5 235A is $269; no MSRP is recorded for the Core i5-14490F.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has 14 cores, while the Intel Core i5-14490F has 10 cores.

Q: Do both processors use hyper-threading?

A: No. The Core i5-14490F has 16 threads from 10 cores, indicating hyper-threading. The Core Ultra 5 235A has 14 threads from 14 cores, meaning no hyper-threading.

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A averages 48201, compared to 38149 for the Intel Core i5-14490F.

Q: Are the sockets interchangeable?

A: No. The Core i5-14490F uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 235A uses Intel Socket 1851.

Q: Does the Core i5-14490F include integrated graphics?

A: No, the Core i5-14490F has no integrated graphics. The Core Ultra 5 235A includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units.

Q: Which chip supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Core i5-14490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 235A supports DDR5 only.

Q: What is the process node difference?

A: The Core i5-14490F is built on Intel's 10 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 235A uses TSMC's 3 nm process.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-14490F | Intel Core Ultra 5 235A |

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

| Series | Core 14th Gen | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Cores | 10 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 14 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Arrow Lake-S |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die size | 215 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 20 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | N/A | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU |

| Release date | 2023-12-31 | 2025-07-28 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $269 |

| Part number | SRN35 | SRWPN |

Shared specifications include a 5.00 GHz boost clock, 65 W TDP, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, locked multiplier, and Active production status. Both have 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A wins every benchmark in the comparison, from the 0.9% margin in PassMark integer math to the 68.9% margin in PassMark prime numbers. Its average benchmark score of 48201 places it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core i5-14490F sits at 38149 and the 86th percentile. The Core Ultra 5 235A also offers integrated graphics, DDR5-only memory support with a recorded 102.4 GB/s bandwidth, more PCIe lanes, a newer socket, and a smaller process node from TSMC.

The Core i5-14490F retains two practical advantages in the database: DDR4 compatibility, which allows for lower-cost memory configurations, and a release date nearly two years earlier. Its nearest rival cluster includes the Intel Core i5-13600KF at a 0.1% delta, meaning it performs essentially on par with that previous-generation part. For users looking at the raw benchmark results, the Core Ultra 5 235A is the stronger processor in every measured workload. The only category where the older chip comes close is integer math, where the 0.9% gap is effectively a tie. Buyers on Socket 1700 who already own a compatible motherboard might choose the Core i5-14490F for platform continuity, but the performance data consistently favors the Core Ultra 5 235A across single-thread, multi-thread, encryption, compression, and math workloads.