Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 5 also has a higher base clock of 4.20 GHz compared to 2.50 GHz, and a higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz versus 5.00 GHz.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall benchmark performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has an average benchmark score of 66855, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i5-14490F has an average score of 38149, which sits in the 86th percentile. The Ultra 5 wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-14490F does not support ECC memory.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the Ultra 5 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The Intel Core i5-14490F has no integrated graphics (N/A).

Q: What are the socket requirements for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851. The two sockets are not compatible with each other.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-14490F belongs to the Core 14th Gen series and uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename. It is built on Intel's 10 nm process node with a die size of 215 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, and is manufactured on a 3 nm process node by TSMC. Its die size is 243 mm², and it contains 17,800 million transistors.

The core configuration differs significantly. The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement with performance and efficiency cores. The Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads, meaning there is no hyperthreading on this part. Cache structures also differ: the i5-14490F has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 250K Plus has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache.

Memory support diverges as well. The i5-14490F accepts DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus is DDR5-only. The Ultra 5 has ECC memory support, which the i5 lacks. PCIe lane counts differ: the i5 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 5 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The Ultra 5 also includes integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, whereas the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics at all. The i5 has a locked multiplier, while the Ultra 5 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap between these two processors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins 16 of 17 head-to-head tests, with an average benchmark score of 66855 versus 38149 for the Intel Core i5-14490F. That places the Ultra 5 in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 86th percentile for the i5.

For applications that rely heavily on multi-threaded throughput, the Ultra 5 250K Plus is clearly the stronger choice. It delivers 50% higher scores in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 47.6% higher in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 25.5% higher in Cinebench R23 multi-core. PassMark multi-thread results show a 44.4% advantage. These margins are substantial enough to matter for rendering, video encoding, and other parallel workloads.

The Intel Core i5-14490F does hold one notable win: Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 3247 against 2261 for the Ultra 5, a 43.6% advantage. This makes the i5 appealing for lightly threaded workloads that depend on a single core. However, the Ultra 5 wins PassMark single-thread testing by 18.6%, so the i5's single-core advantage does not extend across all tests.

The Ultra 5 250K Plus also brings practical platform advantages. It supports ECC memory, includes integrated graphics, offers an unlocked multiplier, and has a newer 3 nm TSMC process node. The i5-14490F supports DDR4 memory, which can lower platform costs for builders with existing DDR4 systems, and its 65 W TDP is lower than the Ultra 5's 125 W TDP.

For a new build, the data favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. Its average benchmark score is 75% higher, and it wins the vast majority of recorded tests. The i5-14490F remains relevant only for users who already have a Socket 1700 platform and need a specific single-core performance profile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification. The Intel Core i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz versus 4.20 GHz, and boost clocks are 5.00 GHz versus 5.30 GHz. TDP ratings are 65 W for the i5 and 125 W for the Ultra 5.

Socket requirements differ: Socket 1700 for the i5-14490F, Socket 1851 for the Ultra 5 250K Plus. Process nodes are 10 nm (Intel) versus 3 nm (TSMC). The Ultra 5 has a larger die at 243 mm² compared to 215 mm², and its transistor count is 17,800 million; no transistor count is recorded for the i5.

Cache hierarchies are different. The i5-14490F has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Ultra 5 250K Plus has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3. Memory support on the i5 includes DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 supports DDR5 only. The Ultra 5 records a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s; no bandwidth figure is recorded for the i5. ECC memory is supported only on the Ultra 5. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes on the i5, and Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes on the Ultra 5.

Integrated graphics are absent on the i5-14490F, while the Ultra 5 includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The i5 has a locked multiplier; the Ultra 5 has an unlocked multiplier. Release dates also differ, with the i5 released in late December 2023 and the Ultra 5 in March 2026. The Ultra 5 has a launch MSRP of $199.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus dominates the recorded benchmark comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ultra 5 scores 4640 against 2318 for the i5-14490F, a 50% advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 18442 versus 9660, a 47.6% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core results are 30867 versus 23000, with the Ultra 5 ahead by 25.5%.

The Ultra 5 also wins Cinebench R20 single-core by a wide margin: 2603 versus 1363, a 47.6% difference. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-14490F takes the win with 3247 against 2261, a 43.6% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core is nearly tied, with the Ultra 5 scoring 328 versus 327, a 0.3% margin.

PassMark results heavily favor the Ultra 5 250K Plus. Data compression scores are 568721 versus 340026, a 40.2% advantage. Data encryption shows 42144 versus 18225, a 56.8% lead. Extended instructions score 44565 versus 21731, a 51.2% gap. Find prime numbers results are 486 versus 122, a 74.9% difference, the largest margin in the entire comparison. Floating point math scores 162692 versus 66558, a 59.1% lead. Integer math shows 125091 versus 87844, a 29.8% advantage. Multi-thread scores are 51596 versus 28662, a 44.4% gap. Physics scores are 3494 versus 2093, a 40.1% lead. Random string sorting shows 69090 versus 35608, a 48.5% advantage. Single-thread scores are 4757 versus 3873, an 18.6% lead.

The i5-14490F wins only one of the 17 recorded tests, the Cinebench R23 single-core result. All other tests, including both PassMark single-thread entries, go to the Ultra 5 250K Plus.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins in every multi-threaded and content-creation workload recorded in the database. Its 18 cores and 18 threads, combined with higher clock speeds and a 30 MB L3 cache, deliver consistent advantages across Cinebench multi-core tests, PassMark multi-thread, data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, physics, and random string sorting. The 74.9% lead in find prime numbers indicates particularly strong performance in integer-heavy computation. The 56.8% advantage in data encryption makes it the clear choice for security-related tasks such as file encryption, VPN throughput, and database encryption.

The Ultra 5 also wins single-threaded PassMark tests by 18.6%, suggesting that its per-core performance is generally superior outside of the specific Cinebench R23 workload. Its integrated Arc Xe-LPG graphics with 64 execution units provide a display output without a discrete GPU, and ECC memory support suits workstation or server environments where data integrity matters. The unlocked multiplier allows overclocking for additional performance headroom.

The Intel Core i5-14490F has a single recorded win: Cinebench R23 single-core, where it beats the Ultra 5 by 43.6%. This indicates that for certain lightly threaded applications, such as legacy software or specific simulation tools that depend heavily on one core, the i5 may deliver better responsiveness. Its 65 W TDP is lower than the Ultra 5's 125 W, which could simplify cooling requirements in compact builds. The i5 also supports DDR4 memory, which means builders with existing DDR4 modules can reuse them on a Socket 1700 platform. However, the overall benchmark picture shows the i5-14490F trailing significantly, with an average score of 38149 versus 66855 for the Ultra 5, and a percentile ranking of 86 versus 93. For most workloads, the data indicates the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the stronger processor.