Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a split decision between the Intel Core i5-14490F and the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H. The i5-14490F dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the Ultra 7 255H counters in several Passmark subtests. Across the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, the Ultra 7 255H takes 9 wins, while the i5-14490F secures 8.

The most dramatic separation occurs in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The i5-14490F scores 23000 against 9240 for the Ultra 7 255H, a 148.9% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and reflects the desktop part's sustained power delivery under heavy all-core loads. The single-core R23 result also favors the i5-14490F, with 3247 versus 1843, a 76.2% lead. Similar margins appear in Cinebench R20, where the i5-14490F wins both multi-core (9660 versus 6381, 51.4%) and single-core (1363 versus 900, 51.4%). In R15, the i5-14490F leads multi-core by 53% (2318 versus 1515) and single-core by 30.3% (327 versus 251).

The Ultra 7 255H, however, shows strength in specific Passmark workloads. The largest win for the mobile chip is in find prime numbers, where it scores 303 against 122, a 59.7% advantage. Floating point math also favors the Ultra 7 255H by 32.6% (98796 versus 66558). In data encryption, the Ultra 7 255H leads by 22.1% (23395 versus 18225), and in extended instructions it is ahead by 8.5% (23755 versus 21731). The Ultra 7 255H also wins Passmark multi-thread (30703 versus 28662, 6.6%), physics (2254 versus 2093, 7.1%), random string sorting (36058 versus 35608, 1.2%), and single-thread (4317 versus 3873, 10.3%).

The i5-14490F counters with a 13.8% win in data compression (340026 versus 298850) and a 12.7% win in integer math (87844 versus 77975). These results show the desktop chip maintaining an edge in traditional CPU throughput tasks, while the Ultra 7 255H excels in encryption, prime number generation, and floating point operations.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this split. The i5-14490F records an average score of 38149, placing it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs. The Ultra 7 255H averages 33537, good for the 83rd percentile. The nearest rivals for the i5-14490F include the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T (38194, 0.1% faster), the Intel Core i5-13600KF (38103, 0.1% slower), and the AMD Ryzen 7 250 (38221, 0.2% faster). The Ultra 7 255H sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 240 (33542, nearly identical), the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS (33667, 0.4% faster), and the AMD Ryzen 5 7645HX (33668, 0.4% faster).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher Cinebench R23 multi-core score?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F scores 23000 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, compared to 9240 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H. This represents a 148.9% advantage for the desktop part.

Q: Does the Ultra 7 255H win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes. The Ultra 7 255H wins 9 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, including Passmark data encryption (23395 versus 18225), floating point math (98796 versus 66558), and find prime numbers (303 versus 122).

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The results are mixed. The i5-14490F leads in Cinebench R15 single-core (327 versus 251, 30.3%), R20 single-core (1363 versus 900, 51.4%), and R23 single-core (3247 versus 1843, 76.2%). The Ultra 7 255H leads in Passmark single-thread (4317 versus 3873, 10.3%).

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The i5-14490F has an average benchmark score of 38149, while the Ultra 7 255H averages 33537. The i5-14490F sits in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, and the Ultra 7 255H sits in the 83rd percentile.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads. Despite fewer cores, the i5-14490F scores higher in all Cinebench multi-core tests.

Q: How close are the nearest rivals for each processor?

A: The i5-14490F's closest rival is the Intel Core i5-13600KF with an average score of 38103, a 0.1% difference. The Ultra 7 255H's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 240 with an average score of 33542, a 0% difference.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different architectural lineages. The i5-14490F uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The Ultra 7 255H uses Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-H, built on TSMC's 3 nm process. This process difference is significant for power efficiency and transistor density.

The core configurations differ substantially. The i5-14490F packs 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 7 255H has more physical cores but does not use hyper-threading, resulting in equal core and thread counts. The i5-14490F uses hyper-threading to reach 16 threads from its 10 cores.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The i5-14490F has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 255H has 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 3 MB of L2 cache per core, also with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches on the Ultra 7 255H reflect its newer architecture.

Memory support diverges as well. The i5-14490F supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. The Ultra 7 255H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The Ultra 7 255H also supports ECC memory, while the i5-14490F does not.

PCIe connectivity differs. The i5-14490F provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Ultra 7 255H provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The Ultra 7 255H also includes integrated graphics, specifically Arc Graphics 140T, while the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics.

The market segments and sockets reflect their intended use. The i5-14490F is a desktop processor using Intel Socket 1700. The Ultra 7 255H is a mobile processor using Intel BGA 2049. The production status for both is listed as Active.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several clear differences between the two processors.

Cores and Threads: The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores and 16 threads.

Clock Speeds: The i5-14490F has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Ultra 7 255H has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz.

TDP: The i5-14490F has a TDP of 65 watts. The Ultra 7 255H has a TDP of 28 watts.

Socket: The i5-14490F uses Intel Socket 1700. The Ultra 7 255H uses Intel BGA 2049.

Process Node: The i5-14490F is built on a 10 nm process by Intel. The Ultra 7 255H is built on a 3 nm process by TSMC.

Cache: The i5-14490F has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core. The Ultra 7 255H has 192 KB L1 per core and 3 MB L2 per core. Both have 24 MB shared L3.

Memory Support: The i5-14490F supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Ultra 7 255H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Ultra 7 255H also supports ECC memory.

Memory Bandwidth: The Ultra 7 255H has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The i5-14490F has no recorded memory bandwidth figure.

PCIe: The i5-14490F provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The Ultra 7 255H provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

Integrated Graphics: The i5-14490F has no integrated graphics. The Ultra 7 255H includes Arc Graphics 140T.

Market Segment: The i5-14490F is a desktop processor. The Ultra 7 255H is a mobile processor.

Release Date: The i5-14490F was released on 2023-12-31. The Ultra 7 255H was released on 2025-01-12.

The Verdict

The data presents two different value propositions for different workloads and platforms. The i5-14490F is the clear winner in Cinebench rendering workloads, with massive leads across R15, R20, and R23, including the 148.9% advantage in R23 multi-core. It also edges out the Ultra 7 255H in data compression and integer math. For users running CPU-heavy desktop workloads such as rendering, compilation, or content creation, the i5-14490F delivers substantially higher throughput in these recorded tests.

The Ultra 7 255H, however, wins in several specialized Passmark categories. Its 59.7% lead in find prime numbers and 32.6% lead in floating point math indicate strong performance in scientific and cryptographic workloads. It also leads in data encryption by 22.1%, extended instructions by 8.5%, and single-thread Passmark by 10.3%. The mobile chip achieves these results with a 28 watt TDP compared to the i5-14490F's 65 watts, and it includes integrated graphics and ECC memory support.

The average benchmark scores favor the i5-14490F (38149 versus 33537), and its 86th percentile ranking against all CPUs is 3 points higher than the Ultra 7 255H's 83rd percentile. The nearest rival analysis shows both processors sitting close to their immediate competition, with the i5-14490F within 0.3% of its top rivals and the Ultra 7 255H within 0.5%.

The choice depends on the platform and workload. Desktop users with Socket 1700 motherboards and a need for maximum Cinebench performance should select the i5-14490F. Mobile users requiring lower power consumption, integrated graphics, ECC support, and stronger encryption or floating point performance should select the Ultra 7 255H. The recorded data does not indicate one processor as universally superior; it shows each leading in distinct categories that align with their respective market segments.