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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a heavily one-sided contest. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-14490F secures only 2 wins. The average benchmark score gap is substantial: the Ultra 5 245K records an average score of 54053 against 38149 for the i5-14490F, a difference of roughly 42%.

The largest single victory for the Ultra 5 245K appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 414 against 122, a delta of -70.5% from the perspective of the i5-14490F. This is an extreme outlier compared to the rest of the results, indicating a fundamental advantage in integer-heavy primality workloads. Floating point math shows a similarly decisive gap: the Ultra 5 delivers 130678 versus 66558, a 49.1% deficit for the i5-14490F. Data encryption also favors the newer part heavily, with 33286 against 18225, a 45.2% gap, and extended instructions follow at 37617 versus 21731, a 42.2% difference.

Multi-core rendering benchmarks reinforce the pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ultra 5 245K scores 3850 against 2318, a 39.8% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 15368 versus 9660, a 37.1% gap. PassMark multithread delivers 43047 against 28662, a 33.4% difference, and PassMark physics shows 3081 versus 2093, a 32.1% gap. The margins narrow somewhat in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Ultra 5 245K wins 25066 to 23000, just 8.2% ahead. PassMark integer math is closer still: 98524 versus 87844, a 10.8% edge for the Ultra 5.

The i5-14490F's two wins are both in single-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it edges ahead 327 to 322, a 1.6% margin. The more dramatic result is Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i5-14490F scores 3247 against 2132, a 52.3% lead for the older chip. This is a striking inversion: in the newer R23 single-core test, the i5-14490F is dramatically faster, while in the R20 single-core test the Ultra 5 245K wins 2169 to 1363, a 37.2% margin. The two processors appear to behave very differently across Cinebench versions, which suggests workload-specific scheduling or instruction path differences.

PassMark single-thread results favor the Ultra 5 245K at 4714 versus 3873, a 17.8% advantage, which partially contradicts the Cinebench R23 single-core outcome. Data compression also goes to the Ultra 5, 458817 versus 340026, a 25.9% margin, and random string sorting favors it 55098 to 35608, a 35.4% gap.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and foundries. The i5-14490F uses Raptor Lake-R, built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the Ultra 5 245K uses Arrow Lake-S, fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm node. The die sizes differ modestly: 215 mm² for the i5-14490F versus 243 mm² for the Ultra 5 245K. The Ultra 5 245K packs 17,800 million transistors, while the i5-14490F entry does not list a transistor count.

Core configurations diverge significantly. The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, meaning it uses hyper-threading to reach 16 threads from 10 physical cores. The Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads, with no hyper-threading; each core contributes exactly one thread. Despite having 4 fewer threads, the Ultra 5 245K wins most multi-threaded tests, which points to substantially higher per-core throughput from the newer architecture.

Clock speeds also differ. The i5-14490F has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Ultra 5 245K runs at 4.20 GHz base and 5.20 GHz boost. The higher base clock of the Ultra 5 likely contributes to its strong showing in sustained workloads, while the boost clocks are relatively close at 5.00 versus 5.20 GHz.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The i5-14490F provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 245K offers 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core, also with 24 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations on the Ultra 5 help explain its advantage in latency-sensitive workloads.

Memory support diverges as well. The i5-14490F supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Ultra 5 lists a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the i5-14490F does not list a bandwidth figure. The Ultra 5 also supports ECC memory; the i5-14490F does not.

PCIe lanes differ: the i5-14490F provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Ultra 5 245K provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The Ultra 5 245K includes integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, whereas the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics. Sockets are incompatible: LGA 1700 for the i5-14490F and LGA 1851 for the Ultra 5 245K. Thermal design power also differs, with the i5-14490F at 65 watts and the Ultra 5 245K at 125 watts. The Ultra 5 245K has an unlocked multiplier; the i5-14490F does not. Release dates are about ten months apart, with the i5-14490F launched in late 2023 and the Ultra 5 245K in late 2024.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-14490F's wins are narrow and confined to two Cinebench single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it holds a 1.6% edge, and in Cinebench R23 single-core, it leads by 52.3%. This suggests that in legacy single-threaded Cinebench runs, the older Raptor Lake architecture can outperform Arrow Lake, particularly in the R23 variant. However, the Ultra 5 245K wins PassMark single-thread by 17.8%, so the i5-14490F's single-core advantage does not generalize across all single-threaded workloads.

The Ultra 5 245K dominates nearly every other category. Multi-threaded rendering, encryption, compression, physics, floating point math, integer math, and prime number finding all go to the newer chip. The margins range from a modest 8.2% in Cinebench R23 multi-core to a decisive 70.5% in PassMark find prime numbers. For users running heavily parallel workloads, the Ultra 5 245K is the clear choice based on the recorded data.

The i5-14490F does offer a lower thermal design power of 65 watts versus 125 watts, which may make it easier to cool in constrained systems, but the benchmark data does not include temperature or power consumption measurements, so any thermal advantage remains qualitative.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K records an average benchmark score of 54053, compared to 38149 for the Intel Core i5-14490F.

Q: In which tests does the Intel Core i5-14490F win?

A: The i5-14490F wins two tests: Cinebench R15 single-core with a score of 327 versus 322, and Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 3247 versus 2132.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 5 245K scores 414 versus 122 for the i5-14490F, a 70.5% difference.

Q: Do both processors support DDR4 memory?

A: No. The i5-14490F supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 only.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i5-14490F does not.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-14490F | Intel Core Ultra 5 245K |

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

| Cores | 10 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 14 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Arrow Lake |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 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 |

| L3 cache | 24 MB shared | 24 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

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

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

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

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

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SRN35 | SRQCT |

| Release date | Late 2023 | Late 2024 |

| Launch MSRP | None listed | $319 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K across the majority of workloads. It wins 15 of 17 comparisons, holds a 91st percentile ranking versus 86th for the i5-14490F, and delivers an average benchmark score roughly 42% higher. Its advantages are largest in prime number finding, floating point math, encryption, and extended instructions, all areas where the newer 3 nm Arrow Lake architecture and larger per-core caches provide measurable gains.

The i5-14490F remains competitive in specific legacy single-core Cinebench tests, particularly R23 single-core, where it leads by 52.3%. It also draws less power at 65 watts versus 125 watts, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering more flexibility for older platforms. However, its socket is LGA 1700, which limits upgrade paths compared to the LGA 1851 platform of the Ultra 5 245K.

For multi-threaded rendering, data compression, encryption, and general compute workloads, the data points decisively to the Ultra 5 245K. For users prioritizing legacy single-core Cinebench performance or lower thermal design power, the i5-14490F has a narrower but real claim. The recorded measurements do not support any other conclusion: the Ultra 5 245K is the stronger processor in the vast majority of tested scenarios.