Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

Intel Core i5-14490F and Intel Core Ultra 5 338H represent two distinct approaches from Intel: a desktop-focused Raptor Lake Refresh part with high boost clocks, and a mobile Panther Lake processor built on a newer node with a different core organization. Benchmark data from the database shows a near-even split in workload dominance, with the Core i5-14490F winning 6 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Core Ultra 5 338H takes 11. The average benchmark scores place the desktop chip at 38149 versus 33989 for the mobile part, yet the per-test results reveal that raw architectural differences, not just average scores, determine which processor excels in specific tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14490F establishes its strongest territory in multi-threaded rendering and integer-heavy workloads. Its most decisive victory comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 23000 against the Core Ultra 5 338H's 16331, a 40.8% advantage. Single-core Cinebench R23 shows an even larger gap, with the desktop chip at 3247 versus 2044, a 58.9% lead. The i5-14490F also wins PassMark integer math by a wide margin, posting 87844 against 64934, a 35.3% difference. Data compression follows the same pattern, with scores of 340026 versus 276539, a 23% edge. Random string sorting goes to the i5-14490F as well, though by a smaller 4.5% margin, with 35608 versus 34082.

The Core Ultra 5 338H counters in several specific computational areas despite its lower average score. Its largest win comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 304 versus the i5-14490F's 122, a 59.9% advantage. Floating point math also favors the mobile chip, 84067 versus 66558, a 20.8% lead. The Core Ultra 5 338H wins physics tests with 2697 versus 2093, a 22.4% gap. Data encryption goes to the Ultra part at 21367 versus 18225, a 14.7% edge, and extended instructions show a 9.1% advantage at 23906 versus 21731. The Ultra 5 also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core, 2504 versus 2318, and Cinebench R20 both multi-core and single-core, with scores of 10213 versus 9660 and 1441 versus 1363 respectively. In PassMark multi-thread, the Ultra part barely edges ahead at 28717 versus 28662, a 0.2% margin, and single-thread tests show 4180 versus 3873, a 7.3% lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in their design targets. The Intel Core i5-14490F uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. It has a die size of 215 mm² and fits the Intel Socket 1700 platform. The Core Ultra 5 338H uses the Panther Lake architecture, designated Panther Lake-H, manufactured on a 3 nm node, also at Intel. The mobile chip uses the Intel BGA 2540 socket.

Core configurations differ notably. The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement with performance and efficiency cores. The Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores but only 12 threads, meaning it does not use Hyper-Threading across all cores. Cache layouts also differ: the i5-14490F has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Ultra 5 338H has larger per-core allocations, with 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, but a smaller 18 MB shared L3. Clock speeds show the desktop part at 2.50 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost, while the mobile part runs at 1.90 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. The TDP reflects the platform gap: 65 W for the desktop versus 25 W for the mobile chip.

Memory support separates them further. The i5-14490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The Ultra 5 338H supports only LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. PCIe lanes differ as well, with the desktop chip offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes CPU-only, while the mobile chip provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes CPU-only. Integrated graphics appear only on the Ultra 5 338H, which includes Arc B370, whereas the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics. The release dates place the i5-14490F in 2023, while the Ultra 5 338H appears in 2026.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows the most dramatic swings between the two processors. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-14490F's 23000 score against 16331 represents a 40.8% advantage, the largest multi-core gap recorded. Single-core Cinebench R23 shows an even bigger disparity at 58.9%, with 3247 versus 2044. However, older Cinebench versions reverse the direction. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ultra 5 338H wins with 2504 versus 2318, a 7.4% margin. Cinebench R20 multi-core goes to the Ultra part at 10213 versus 9660, a 5.4% gap, and R20 single-core also favors the Ultra at 1441 versus 1363, also 5.4%.

PassMark results break down into distinct categories where each processor's architecture shows preference. The i5-14490F dominates integer math with 87844 versus 64934, a 35.3% lead, and data compression with 340026 versus 276539, a 23% edge. Random string sorting falls to the desktop chip narrowly, 35608 versus 34082, a 4.5% difference. The Ultra 5 338H wins floating point math decisively at 84067 versus 66558, a 20.8% margin. Prime number finding shows the largest single-test gap anywhere in the comparison, with the Ultra part at 304 versus 122, a 59.9% advantage. Physics tests favor the Ultra at 2697 versus 2093, a 22.4% gap. Data encryption goes to the Ultra at 21367 versus 18225, a 14.7% lead, and extended instructions follow at 23906 versus 21731, a 9.1% edge. PassMark multi-thread is nearly a tie at 28717 versus 28662, a 0.2% margin, while single-thread tests give the Ultra part 4180 versus 3873, a 7.3% advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F reaches 5.00 GHz boost, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H boosts to 4.70 GHz.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 5 338H have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Arc B370 integrated graphics, whereas the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The i5-14490F supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 338H supports LPDDR5X only.

Q: Which processor scores higher in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5-14490F scores 23000 versus 16331 for the Core Ultra 5 338H, a 40.8% lead.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference?

A: The i5-14490F has 24 MB shared L3, while the Core Ultra 5 338H has 18 MB shared L3.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification. The i5-14490F belongs to Core 14th Gen with Raptor Lake architecture, while the Ultra 5 338H is Core Ultra Series 3 with Panther Lake. Core counts show 10 versus 12, threads show 16 versus 12. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz versus 1.90 GHz, and boost clocks are 5.00 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. TDP is 65 W versus 25 W. Sockets are Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel BGA 2540. Process nodes are 10 nm versus 3 nm. Die size is 215 mm² for the i5-14490F, with no die size recorded for the Ultra part. L1 cache is 80 KB per core versus 192 KB per core, L2 is 1.25 MB per core versus 2.5 MB per core, and L3 is 24 MB shared versus 18 MB shared. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 versus LPDDR5X. The Ultra 5 338H records a memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, while no bandwidth is listed for the i5-14490F. PCIe lanes are 16 versus 4, both Gen 5 CPU-only. Integrated graphics are N/A versus Arc B370. Market segments are Desktop versus Mobile. Release dates are 2023 versus 2026. Part numbers are SRN35 versus SA4REQ9EW. Neither has ECC memory support, and both have locked multipliers.

The Verdict

The data positions the Intel Core i5-14490F as the stronger choice for Cinebench R23 rendering workloads and integer-based computations. Its 40.8% multi-core and 58.9% single-core leads in R23 are the largest recorded advantages in the comparison. Users running data compression, integer math, or random string sorting see clear benefits from the desktop chip, with margins ranging from 4.5% to 35.3%.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H takes the opposite side for floating point operations, prime number finding, physics, and encryption. Its 59.9% lead in find prime numbers and 20.8% edge in floating point math indicate a different computational strength. The mobile chip also wins the majority of Cinebench R15 and R20 tests, though by smaller margins. The 0.2% difference in PassMark multi-thread suggests near-parity in that specific metric.

The recorded data shows the i5-14490F with a higher average benchmark score, 38149 versus 33989, and a higher percentile ranking at 86 versus 84. The Core Ultra 5 338H wins more individual tests, 11 versus 6, but many of its wins are narrow, while the i5-14490F's wins in R23 and integer math are substantial. The choice depends on which workload set matters more: the desktop part for rendering and integer tasks, or the mobile part for floating point and encryption workloads. The nearly tied multi-thread score, 28662 versus 28717, indicates that neither processor holds a universal throughput advantage.