Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core Ultra 7 165UL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-14490F and Intel Core Ultra 7 165UL occupy very different positions in the database. The i5-14490F holds a percentile rank of 86 among all CPUs, while the Ultra 7 165UL sits at the 50th percentile. This gap in overall standing reflects a substantial performance divide that shows up across every recorded workload category.

The i5-14490F delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23,000, while its single-core score reaches 3,247. The Ultra 7 165UL has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, which means direct numerical comparisons are only possible against the i5-14490F's nearest rivals rather than against the Ultra 7 itself. The database lists the i5-14490F's average benchmark score at 38,149, placing it within a tight cluster of competitors: the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T scores 38,194 (0.1% higher), the AMD Ryzen 7 250 scores 38,221 (0.2% higher), the Intel Core i5-13600HX scores 38,261 (0.3% higher), and the Intel Core i5-13600KF scores 38,103 (0.1% lower). These margins are narrow, showing the i5-14490F trades places with its closest rivals depending on the specific workload.

Looking at the i5-14490F's individual results, the PassMark multi-thread score of 28,662 and single-thread score of 3,873 confirm its strong all-around positioning. The data compression score of 340,026 stands out as particularly high, while integer math reaches 87,844 and floating-point math reaches 66,558. The extended instructions score of 21,731 and data encryption score of 18,225 round out the compute profile. Random string sorting records 35,608, and the physics score comes in at 2,093.

The Ultra 7 165UL, by contrast, has zero recorded benchmarks and no nearest rivals listed. The database cannot establish its direct performance level through measurements, only its architectural specifications and its 50th percentile classification. This makes the head-to-head comparison one-sided: the i5-14490F has extensive recorded data, while the Ultra 7 165UL does not.

The i5-14490F's Cinebench R20 results show 9,660 multi-core and 1,363 single-core. The older R15 test yields 2,318 multi-core and 327 single-core. These progressive scores across Cinebench versions indicate consistent scaling from single-threaded to multi-threaded loads. The i5-14490F also records a PassMark find-prime-numbers score of 122, a lighter workload that still registers measurable output.

The nearest-rival deltas for the i5-14490F are all within 0.3% of its average score. The Core Ultra 5 245T is essentially tied at 0.1% higher, the Ryzen 7 250 is 0.2% higher, and the Core i5-13600HX is 0.3% higher. The Core i5-13600KF sits 0.1% lower. None of these differences represent a decisive win, suggesting the i5-14490F performs in lockstep with its direct competitors across the aggregate of all tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The i5-14490F uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, part of the Core 14th Gen series. The Ultra 7 165UL uses Meteor Lake architecture with the Meteor Lake-PS codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 1. These are separate designs from different generations, not minor revisions of the same chip.

The process nodes differ: the i5-14490F is built on a 10 nm node, while the Ultra 7 165UL uses a 7 nm node. Both are fabricated by Intel, but the smaller node on the Ultra 7 allows for different transistor density and power characteristics. The die size for the i5-14490F is recorded at 215 mm², while the Ultra 7 165UL has no die size listed in the database.

Core counts and thread counts move in opposite directions. The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Ultra 7 165UL has 12 cores and 14 threads. The Ultra 7 has more physical cores but fewer threads, indicating a different core topology that includes efficiency cores without hyperthreading on some cores. The i5-14490F achieves its 16 threads with 10 cores, meaning all cores contribute two threads each.

Cache layouts diverge significantly. The i5-14490F provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 165UL provides 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, but only 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-14490F has twice the L3 capacity, while the Ultra 7 has larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations.

Clock speeds favor the i5-14490F. Its base clock runs at 2.50 GHz with a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Ultra 7 165UL starts at 1.70 GHz base and boosts to 4.90 GHz. The i5-14490F has both a higher base and a higher boost ceiling, which directly contributes to its leading single-thread performance.

Power envelopes differ by a wide margin. The i5-14490F has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Ultra 7 165UL has a TDP of 15 watts. This represents a 50-watt gap, meaning the Ultra 7 is designed for much lower power consumption at the cost of raw throughput. The sockets are incompatible: the i5-14490F uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 7 165UL uses Intel Socket 1851.

Memory support shows a split. The i5-14490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 7 165UL supports DDR5 only, with the database noting that support depends on the motherboard. Both run dual-channel memory buses. The Ultra 7 165UL lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i5-14490F has no bandwidth figure recorded.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The i5-14490F supports Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 165UL supports Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The i5-14490F offers a newer PCIe generation and double the lane count. Integrated graphics separate the two as well: the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A), while the Ultra 7 165UL includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-14490F wins in every recorded benchmark category, simply because it has recorded benchmarks and the Ultra 7 165UL does not. The database shows no scores for the Ultra 7, so any performance comparison must lean on the i5-14490F's measured results and the architectural differences that explain the gap.

The i5-14490F wins decisively on raw multi-threaded throughput. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23,000 and PassMark multi-thread score of 28,662 indicate strong parallel processing capability. The 10-core, 16-thread configuration with a 5.00 GHz boost clock provides ample compute for heavily threaded applications. The 24 MB of shared L3 cache helps feed those cores with data.

The i5-14490F also wins on single-threaded performance. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3,247 and PassMark single-thread score of 3,873 reflect the high boost clock and architectural efficiency. Higher base and boost clocks give it an inherent advantage in latency-sensitive workloads that depend on one or two threads.

The Ultra 7 165UL wins on power efficiency. Its 15-watt TDP, compared to the i5-14490F's 65 watts, means it consumes far less power under load. For systems where thermal output and energy draw are primary constraints, the Ultra 7 is the better fit. Its 12 cores and 14 threads provide more physical cores than the i5-14490F, which could help in specific workloads that benefit from more cores even if each core runs slower. Its larger per-core L1 (112 KB) and L2 (2 MB) caches may also help in workloads that exhibit high cache locality per core.

The Ultra 7 wins on integrated graphics. The Arc Xe-LPG 64EU iGPU means the system can output video without a discrete graphics card, while the i5-14490F requires a separate GPU for any display output. The Ultra 7 also wins on platform longevity in one sense: its Socket 1851 and Gen 4 PCIe with 8 lanes target a different platform segment than the i5-14490F's Socket 1700 and Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 165UL boosts to 4.90 GHz. The i5-14490F also has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz versus 1.70 GHz.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Ultra 7 165UL has 12 cores and 14 threads, while the i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads. The i5-14490F has fewer physical cores but more threads due to hyperthreading on all cores.

Q: Does the Ultra 7 165UL have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics. The i5-14490F has no integrated graphics at all, listed as N/A in the database.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The i5-14490F has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Ultra 7 165UL has a TDP of 15 watts. The Ultra 7 consumes substantially less power.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the i5-14490F supports DDR4 in addition to DDR5. The Ultra 7 165UL supports DDR5 only, with compatibility depending on the motherboard.

Q: How does the L3 cache compare?

A: The i5-14490F has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ultra 7 165UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-14490F offers double the L3 capacity.

The Verdict

The database shows the Intel Core i5-14490F as the clear performance leader. Its 86th percentile rank, extensive benchmark scores, and architectural advantages in clock speed, L3 cache, and PCIe generation give it a decisive edge in compute-heavy workloads. The Cinebench and PassMark scores demonstrate consistent strength across both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks. For any user building a system where raw processing power is the priority, the i5-14490F is the choice supported by the measurements.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 165UL serves a different purpose. Its 15-watt TDP, integrated Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics, and 12 physical cores make it suited for low-power desktop systems where energy efficiency and on-chip display output matter more than peak throughput. Its 50th percentile ranking places it in the middle of the database, and the lack of recorded benchmarks means its exact performance level remains unmeasured. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches suggest it can handle localized data efficiently, but the smaller L3 cache and lower clock speeds limit its overall capabilities.

The i5-14490F also carries a launch MSRP of none recorded, while the Ultra 7 165UL has a launch MSRP of $447, stated once here as the database records. The i5-14490F targets desktop builders with a 65-watt TDP, Socket 1700, and Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes. The Ultra 7 165UL targets a lower-power desktop segment with Socket 1851 and Gen 4 PCIe with 8 lanes.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not available on either platform. Both lack ECC memory support. The i5-14490F was released in late 2023, while the Ultra 7 165UL was released in April 2024, making the Ultra 7 the newer product by a few months.

The verdict from the data is straightforward: the i5-14490F wins on performance, the Ultra 7 165UL wins on efficiency and integrated graphics. The i5-14490F is the processor for compute-intensive desktops. The Ultra 7 165UL is the processor for low-power systems that need built-in display output. The 50-watt TDP gap and the benchmark score disparity define the trade-off.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-14490F | Intel Core Ultra 7 165UL |

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

| Cores | 10 | 12 |

| Threads | 16 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 1.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Meteor Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Meteor Lake-PS |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 112 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 (depends on motherboard) |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

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

| Release Date | 2023-12-31 | 2024-04-07 |

| Launch MSRP | None recorded | $447 |

| Part Number | SRN35 | SRN95 |