Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245 Comparison

Intel Core i5-14490F and Intel Core Ultra 5 245 are both modern desktop processors, but the benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap. Across all 17 recorded comparisons, the Core Ultra 5 245 wins every single test. The most significant margins appear in multi-threaded workloads, with the Core Ultra 5 245 delivering 30.1% higher scores in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. The i5-14490F is not without its strengths, but the data indicates the newer Arrow Lake architecture provides a substantial overall performance advantage.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 5 245 dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 3318 against the i5-14490F’s 2318, a 30.1% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar 30.1% gap, with scores of 468 and 327 respectively. This pattern continues in Cinebench R20 multicore (13828 vs 9660) and single-core (1952 vs 1363), both at a 30.1% and 30.2% difference. In Cinebench R23, the multicore result is 32924 for the Core Ultra 5 245 versus 23000 for the i5-14490F, again 30.1% ahead, while single-core scores are 4648 and 3247, a 30.1% margin.

PassMark tests reveal even larger swings in specific workloads. The most extreme difference is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 5 245 scores 365 against the i5-14490F’s 122, a 66.6% advantage. Floating point math shows a 44.8% lead (120548 vs 66558), and data encryption is 39.7% higher (30236 vs 18225). Extended instructions follow at 34.7% (33304 vs 21731). These results indicate the Core Ultra 5 245 has substantially stronger computational throughput in math-heavy and encryption tasks.

Other PassMark tests show more moderate but consistent leads. The multithread score is 38706 versus 28662, a 25.9% gap. Random string sorting delivers 49140 against 35608, a 27.5% improvement. Data compression is 400942 versus 340026, a 15.2% margin. Physics scores 2569 versus 2093, an 18.5% lead. The smallest difference is in integer math, where the Core Ultra 5 245 scores 91187 against 87844, just 3.7% ahead. Single-thread performance, measured in both PassMark single thread and singlethread tests, shows a consistent 11.9% advantage (4394 vs 3873).

The average benchmark score reinforces this hierarchy. The Core Ultra 5 245 averages 48995, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-14490F averages 38149, sitting in the 86th percentile. This 28.4% difference in average score is reflected in the nearest rivals list: the Core Ultra 5 245 competes with AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (0.5% ahead) and Intel Core i5-14600K (0.8% behind), while the i5-14490F sits near the Intel Core i5-13600KF (0.1% ahead) and AMD Ryzen 7 250 (0.2% behind).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use different foundries. The i5-14490F is built on Raptor Lake-R architecture, a 10 nm process from Intel’s own fabs. It uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform. The Core Ultra 5 245 uses Arrow Lake-S architecture on a 3 nm node, fabricated by TSMC, and fits the Intel Socket 1851. This process shrink is a major factor in the performance gap, as the 3 nm node allows for higher efficiency and clock speeds.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating a hybrid layout with performance and efficiency cores. The Core Ultra 5 245 has 14 cores but only 14 threads, meaning it does not use simultaneous multithreading. Despite fewer threads, the newer architecture still wins across all multi-threaded tests, suggesting the 14 physical cores provide more raw throughput than the 10-core, 16-thread design of the older chip.

Cache hierarchies are also distinct. 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 Core Ultra 5 245 has a larger 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and the same 24 MB shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the Core Ultra 5 245 likely contribute to its single-thread advantage, as more data can reside closer to the execution units.

Memory support differs as well. The i5-14490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 245 supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Core Ultra 5 245 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, a figure not listed for the i5-14490F. The Core Ultra 5 245 also supports ECC memory, which the i5-14490F does not.

PCIe connectivity shows an upgrade. The i5-14490F provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 245 offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, allowing more bandwidth for expansion cards and storage. The Core Ultra 5 245 also includes integrated graphics in the form of Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, while the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics at all.

The die size and transistor count further differentiate the two. The i5-14490F has a die size of 215 mm², while the Core Ultra 5 245 has a larger 243 mm² die. The Core Ultra 5 245 packs 17,800 million transistors, a figure not provided for the i5-14490F. This transistor density, enabled by the 3 nm process, explains the Core Ultra 5 245’s higher performance despite the larger physical die.

Release dates also differ. The i5-14490F was released at the end of 2023, while the Core Ultra 5 245 launched in early 2025. This generation gap of roughly one year aligns with the architectural improvements seen in the benchmarks.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 245 wins in every benchmark category recorded, so the use-case split is heavily in its favor. Its largest margins are in prime number finding (66.6% ahead) and floating point math (44.8% ahead), making it the clear choice for scientific computing, financial modeling, or any workload that relies on heavy mathematical calculations. The 39.7% lead in data encryption also positions it well for security-focused tasks like disk encryption or VPN processing.

The Core Ultra 5 245’s strength in extended instructions (34.7% ahead) suggests an advantage in workloads using SIMD or specialized instruction sets, such as video encoding, image processing, or certain database operations. Its 25.9% lead in multithreaded performance and 27.5% advantage in random string sorting indicate solid capability in content creation, compiling, and data manipulation tasks. The 15.2% margin in data compression makes it a better fit for archiving and file transfer workflows.

The i5-14490F, despite losing every test, still has a few areas where the gap is narrow. Its 3.7% deficit in integer math means it is nearly competitive in workloads dominated by simple arithmetic, such as basic office applications or web browsing. The 11.9% single-thread gap is also relatively modest, so the i5-14490F remains adequate for lightly threaded tasks like legacy software or single-application use. However, these narrow margins do not translate into a clear victory in any recorded benchmark.

For users with existing DDR4 memory, the i5-14490F holds a practical advantage, as it supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 245 requires DDR5, which may involve a platform upgrade cost. The i5-14490F also uses the older Socket 1700, which could be compatible with existing 12th or 13th gen motherboards, while the Core Ultra 5 245 needs the newer Socket 1851.

The integrated graphics in the Core Ultra 5 245 provide a functional edge for systems without a discrete GPU. The Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU allows basic display output and hardware acceleration, whereas the i5-14490F requires a separate graphics card for any video output. This makes the Core Ultra 5 245 more suitable for compact builds or temporary troubleshooting setups.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 245 has 14 cores and 14 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for the i5-14490F and 3.50 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 245. Boost clocks are 5.00 GHz and 5.10 GHz respectively. Both have a TDP of 65, but the i5-14490F uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 245 uses Intel Socket 1851.

Architecture and process node are major differences: Raptor Lake at 10 nm for the i5-14490F versus Arrow Lake at 3 nm for the Core Ultra 5 245. The Core Ultra 5 245 uses TSMC as the foundry, while the i5-14490F uses Intel. The Core Ultra 5 245 has a larger die (243 mm² versus 215 mm²) and a transistor count of 17,800 million, not listed for the i5-14490F.

Cache configurations differ in L1 and L2 sizes. The i5-14490F has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core. The Core Ultra 5 245 has 192 KB L1 per core and 3 MB L2 per core. Both share 24 MB of L3 cache. Memory support shows the i5-14490F handling DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 245 only supports DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 245 has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, not specified for the i5-14490F.

ECC memory support is present only on the Core Ultra 5 245. PCIe lanes differ, with the i5-14490F offering 16 lanes and the Core Ultra 5 245 offering 20 lanes, both at Gen 5. Integrated graphics are absent on the i5-14490F but present as Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU on the Core Ultra 5 245. The Core Ultra 5 245 has a launch MSRP of $270; no launch MSRP is recorded for the i5-14490F. Part numbers are SRN35 for the i5-14490F and SRVFE for the Core Ultra 5 245.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 has a significantly higher average benchmark score of 48995, while the Intel Core i5-14490F averages 38149.

Q: How much faster is the Core Ultra 5 245 in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245 scores 32924 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 30.1% higher than the i5-14490F’s 23000.

Q: Does the i5-14490F support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, the i5-14490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 245 supports only DDR5.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration for each processor?

A: The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 245 has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245 includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, while the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the process nodes for the two CPUs?

A: The i5-14490F uses a 10 nm process from Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 245 uses a 3 nm process from TSMC.