Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-14490F and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL present a stark contrast in benchmark availability. The database contains a full suite of 17 recorded scores for the Core i5-14490F, while the Core Ultra 7 155UL has no recorded benchmark entries. This absence of data for the Ultra 7 means no direct head-to-head comparison can be drawn from the measurements. The i5-14490F's average benchmark score stands at 38,149, placing it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs. The Ultra 7's average benchmark score is recorded as zero, with a 50th percentile ranking. The nearest rivals for the i5-14490F provide context: the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T scores 38,194, a delta of -0.1% relative to the i5, and the Intel Core i5-13600KF scores 38,103, a delta of +0.1%. The AMD Ryzen 7 250 scores 38,221, a -0.2% delta, and the Intel Core i5-13600HX scores 38,261, a -0.3% delta. These close margins indicate the i5-14490F sits in a tightly contested performance band among its immediate competitors. The i5-14490F's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23,000 and single-core score of 3,247 show its compute capability. In Passmark tests, the i5-14490F records 87,844 in integer math and 66,558 in floating point math. Data encryption scores 18,225, while extended instructions reach 21,731. The single-thread Passmark score is 3,873. Without any recorded benchmarks for the Ultra 7 155UL, the dataset cannot establish which processor wins specific workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and design philosophies. The Core i5-14490F uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on a 10 nm process node by Intel. The Core Ultra 7 155UL uses the Meteor Lake architecture, with the Meteor Lake-PS codename, built on a 7 nm process node, also by Intel. The i5-14490F is part of the Core 14th Gen series, generation "Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh)". The Ultra 7 belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1, generation "Ultra 7 (Meteor Lake-PS)". This generation gap represents a shift in Intel's naming and design strategy.

Core configuration differs notably. The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 7 155UL has 12 cores but only 14 threads. This unusual thread count for the Ultra 7 suggests a hybrid arrangement where not all cores contribute additional threads. The i5-14490F has more threads despite fewer cores, which impacts multi-threaded workload handling. Clock speeds show the i5-14490F operating at a 2.50 GHz base clock and 5.00 GHz boost clock. The Ultra 7 runs at a 1.70 GHz base clock and 4.80 GHz boost clock. The i5-14490F has a 65 W TDP, while the Ultra 7 draws only 15 W TDP. This five-fold difference in power envelope explains the clock speed disparity and suggests very different thermal and efficiency targets.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The i5-14490F provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 offers 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, but only 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-14490F doubles the Ultra 7's last-level cache, which can benefit workloads with large working sets. The die size for the i5-14490F is 215 mm², while no die size is recorded for the Ultra 7.

Memory support and platform connectivity also differ. The i5-14490F supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. The Ultra 7 supports DDR5, with the database noting it depends on the motherboard, also over dual-channel. The Ultra 7 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i5-14490F has no bandwidth figure recorded. PCIe capabilities separate the two: the i5-14490F uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 7 uses Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The i5-14490F has no integrated graphics, listing "N/A". The Ultra 7 integrates Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics. Sockets differ accordingly: the i5-14490F uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Ultra 7 uses Intel Socket 1851. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both lack ECC memory support. The i5-14490F was released on 2023-12-31, while the Ultra 7 came out on 2024-04-07. The Ultra 7 has a launch MSRP of $426; the i5-14490F has no launch MSRP recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has 12 cores, while the Intel Core i5-14490F has 10 cores. The i5-14490F has more threads, 16 versus 14, despite the Ultra 7 having more cores.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL boosts to 4.80 GHz. The i5-14490F also has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz compared to the Ultra 7's 1.70 GHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-14490F provides double the last-level cache.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F has a 65 W TDP, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has a 15 W TDP. The Ultra 7 uses considerably less power, which aligns with its lower clock speeds.

Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor has recorded benchmark scores in the database?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-14490F has recorded benchmark scores. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has no recorded benchmarks, with an average benchmark score of zero.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification. Core count: 10 cores for the i5-14490F, 12 cores for the Ultra 7. Thread count: 16 for the i5-14490F, 14 for the Ultra 7. Base clock: 2.50 GHz versus 1.70 GHz. Boost clock: 5.00 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. TDP: 65 W versus 15 W. Socket: Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel Socket 1851. Architecture: Raptor Lake versus Meteor Lake. Codename: Raptor Lake-R versus Meteor Lake-PS. Process node: 10 nm versus 7 nm. Die size: 215 mm² for the i5-14490F, none recorded for the Ultra 7. L1 cache: 80 KB per core versus 112 KB per core. L2 cache: 1.25 MB per core versus 2 MB per core. L3 cache: 24 MB shared versus 12 MB shared. Memory support: DDR4 and DDR5 for the i5-14490F, DDR5 only for the Ultra 7. Memory bandwidth: none recorded for the i5-14490F, 89.6 GB/s for the Ultra 7. PCIe: Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the i5-14490F, Gen 4 with 8 lanes for the Ultra 7. Integrated graphics: N/A versus Arc Xe-LPG 64EU. Release date: 2023-12-31 versus 2024-04-07. Part number: SRN35 versus SRN97. Launch MSRP: none recorded for the i5-14490F, $426 for the Ultra 7. The average benchmark score: 38,149 for the i5-14490F, zero for the Ultra 7. Percentile ranking: 86th for the i5-14490F, 50th for the Ultra 7.

The Verdict

The database presents a one-sided comparison. The Intel Core i5-14490F has a complete set of benchmark results, an average score of 38,149, and an 86th percentile ranking. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has no recorded benchmarks, an average score of zero, and a 50th percentile ranking. Any verdict must account for this data gap. The i5-14490F's performance profile is established: it sits within 0.3% of four nearest rivals, all clustered around the 38,100 to 38,260 average score range. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23,000 and Passmark single-thread score of 3,873 indicate a capable desktop processor. The Ultra 7 cannot be assessed for performance from this dataset. Its specifications suggest a different design target: 12 cores, 14 threads, 15 W TDP, integrated graphics, and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth. The higher core count and lower power envelope point toward efficiency-focused operation. The i5-14490F offers higher clocks, double the L3 cache, and a faster PCIe interface. The Ultra 7 offers a smaller process node, more L1 and L2 cache per core, integrated graphics, and lower power consumption. Users requiring measured performance data should rely on the i5-14490F, as it is the only one of the two with benchmark results in the database. Users prioritizing low power consumption and integrated graphics would look to the Ultra 7, but without recorded scores, its performance remains unquantified.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14490F wins in every benchmark category where data exists, simply because it has recorded scores and the Ultra 7 does not. The i5-14490F's Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 2,318 and single-core score of 327 show strength in legacy render tests. Its Cinebench R20 multi-core of 9,660 and single-core of 1,363 continue that pattern. Cinebench R23 multi-core of 23,000 and single-core of 3,247 confirm modern workload capability. Passmark results break down further: data compression at 340,026, data encryption at 18,225, extended instructions at 21,731, prime number finding at 122, floating point math at 66,558, integer math at 87,844, multithread at 28,662, physics at 2,093, random string sorting at 35,608, and single thread at 3,873. These scores cover compute, encryption, compression, and physics simulations. The i5-14490F also wins on raw clock speed, L3 cache capacity, PCIe bandwidth generation, and thread count.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL wins on specifications that favor efficiency and integration. Its 12 cores exceed the i5-14490F's 10 cores. Its 7 nm process node is smaller than the 10 nm node of the i5-14490F. Its 15 W TDP is dramatically lower than 65 W. It has more L1 cache per core at 112 KB versus 80 KB, and more L2 cache per core at 2 MB versus 1.25 MB. It includes integrated Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics, which the i5-14490F lacks entirely. It has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a figure absent for the i5-14490F. The Ultra 7's lower base clock of 1.70 GHz and boost clock of 4.80 GHz, combined with the 15 W TDP, suggest a design that prioritizes sustained operation within tight power limits. For workloads that depend on integrated graphics output, the Ultra 7 has capability the i5-14490F cannot offer. For workloads that depend on benchmark-verified performance, the i5-14490F has all the evidence. The data does not support a performance victory for the Ultra 7 in any measured test, as no tests were recorded. The i5-14490F remains the only processor of the two with quantifiable performance data, making it the choice for any scenario requiring verified compute results. The Ultra 7's advantages lie entirely in its unmeasured specifications: efficiency, core count, cache per core, and integrated graphics.