Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core i5-14490F, which wins 14 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V takes only 3 wins, but those wins are concentrated in specific workload types that reveal its architectural strengths.

The largest single margin comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i5-14490F scores 23000 against the Ultra 7 256V's 10399, a delta of 121.2%. This is the clearest expression of the desktop part's advantage in heavily threaded rendering workloads. The i5 also leads Cinebench R23 single-core by 72.9% (3247 versus 1877.5), which is notable because single-core performance is often a strong point for newer architectures.

Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern. The i5-14490F leads multi-core by 38.8% (9660 versus 6958) and single-core by 38.8% as well (1363 versus 982). Cinebench R15 shows a 46.4% multi-core lead (2318 versus 1583.5) and a smaller 14.5% single-core lead (327 versus 285.5).

In PassMark tests, the i5-14490F dominates integer math with a 102.6% advantage (87844 versus 43358). Data compression shows an 83.8% lead (340026 versus 184985). Random string sorting goes to the i5 by 58.4% (35608 versus 22481). Multi-thread throughput favors the i5 by 46.8% (28662 versus 19530). Extended instructions show a 38.9% lead (21731 versus 15643). Data encryption is 30.2% ahead (18225 versus 13998). Physics tests show a 31.2% lead (2093 versus 1595). Floating point math is closer, with the i5 ahead by 13.6% (66558 versus 58576).

The Ultra 7 256V wins three tests. Its best result is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 192 against the i5's 122, a 36.5% advantage. This indicates the Lunar Lake architecture handles this specific integer-heavy algorithm far more efficiently. The Ultra 7 also wins both PassMark single-thread tests, scoring 4029 versus 3873, a 3.9% lead. These wins show that the mobile chip has genuine single-thread competence despite its much lower multi-core output.

When placed against the broader database, the i5-14490F sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ultra 7 256V sits at the 75th percentile. The i5's average benchmark score is 38149, compared to 21112 for the Ultra 7. The nearest rivals for the i5 are the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T (delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i5-13600KF (delta +0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 7 250 (delta -0.2%), and the Intel Core i5-13600HX (delta -0.3%). The Ultra 7 256V sits closest to the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U (delta -0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G (delta +0.1%), the Intel Core i3-1220P (delta +0.2%), and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U (delta -0.3%).

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F scores 23000, which is 121.2% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V's 10399. This is the largest margin in any recorded benchmark.

Q: Does the Ultra 7 256V win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, it wins three tests: PassMark find prime numbers (192 versus 122, a 36.5% lead) and both PassMark single-thread tests (4029 versus 3873, a 3.9% lead).

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

A: The i5-14490F wins Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests by margins of 14.5%, 38.8%, and 72.9% respectively. However, the Ultra 7 256V wins both PassMark single-thread tests by 3.9%.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The i5-14490F has an average benchmark score of 38149, while the Ultra 7 256V averages 21112. The i5 scores roughly 80% higher on average.

Q: How do their database percentile rankings compare?

A: The i5-14490F ranks at the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ultra 7 256V ranks at the 75th percentile.

Q: Which processor is better for data compression work?

A: The i5-14490F scores 340026 in PassMark data compression, an 83.8% advantage over the Ultra 7 256V's 184985.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14490F is the clear choice for any workload that scales with core count and thread count. It has 10 cores and 16 threads versus 8 cores and 8 threads for the Ultra 7 256V. This shows in every multi-threaded benchmark: Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests all favor the i5 by at least 38.8%, with R23 showing a 121.2% lead. PassMark multi-thread, integer math, data compression, and random string sorting all show leads between 46.8% and 102.6%. The i5 also dominates encryption (30.2% lead), extended instructions (38.9% lead), physics (31.2% lead), and floating point math (13.6% lead).

The Ultra 7 256V wins only three tests, but they are informative. The PassMark find prime numbers test shows a 36.5% advantage, which indicates the Lunar Lake architecture has a more efficient implementation for this specific prime-number search algorithm. The two PassMark single-thread wins, though small at 3.9%, show that the mobile chip can match or slightly exceed the desktop part when the workload uses a single thread and does not stress the memory subsystem.

For general productivity, the i5-14490F is the stronger part in nearly every category. The data compression and encryption scores matter for file archiving and secure communications. The physics score matters for simulation workloads. The floating point and integer math scores matter for scientific and financial computations. Only in the narrow niche of prime-number finding, and in the two PassMark single-thread runs, does the Ultra 7 256V take the lead.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The i5-14490F uses 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Ultra 7 256V uses 8 cores and 8 threads. The i5 has no hyper-threading advantage on the Ultra 7, which appears to lack simultaneous multi-threading entirely.

Base clocks differ: the i5 runs at 2.50 GHz, the Ultra 7 at 2.20 GHz. Boost clocks also differ: 5.00 GHz for the i5, 4.80 GHz for the Ultra 7. The i5 has a 65 W TDP, while the Ultra 7 is rated at 17 W, reflecting their different target platforms.

The socket is a major differentiator. The i5 uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. The Ultra 7 uses Intel BGA 2833, a soldered mobile socket. The i5 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 7's memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The i5 offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 offers PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only).

The i5 has no integrated graphics, while the Ultra 7 includes Arc 140V graphics. The i5 is a desktop part, the Ultra 7 is a mobile part. The i5's release date is recorded as late 2023, while the Ultra 7's release date is recorded as late 2024. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both have ECC memory support listed as false.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from completely different Intel architecture families. The i5-14490F uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series. The Ultra 7 256V uses Lunar Lake and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2.

The manufacturing process differs substantially. The i5-14490F is built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the Ultra 7 256V is built on TSMC's 3 nm process. The foundries differ as well: Intel produces the i5, while TSMC produces the Ultra 7. The i5 has a die size of 215 mm², while no die size is recorded for the Ultra 7.

Cache layouts are quite different. The i5 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 7 has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 has more L1 and L2 cache per core, but far less total L3 cache.

The i5's core configmation uses 10 cores with 16 threads, which implies a hybrid arrangement with performance and efficiency cores. The Ultra 7's 8 cores with 8 threads suggests a different arrangement, possibly with no hyper-threading support. The Ultra 7 includes integrated Arc 140V graphics, which the i5 lacks entirely. The i5 uses a desktop platform with 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, while the Ultra 7 uses a mobile platform with only 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on use case. For desktop workloads that require maximum multi-threaded throughput, the Intel Core i5-14490F is the stronger processor. It wins 14 of 17 benchmarks, with multi-core leads ranging from 13.6% in floating point math to 121.2% in Cinebench R23. It has more cores, more threads, higher clocks, and more L3 cache. Its 86th percentile ranking versus the Ultra 7's 75th percentile confirms its overall standing in the database.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is the better choice in one narrow sense: it wins the PassMark single-thread tests and the find prime numbers test. Its 3 nm process and larger L1 and L2 caches per core contribute to these wins. However, its 8 cores and 8 threads limit its multi-threaded output, and its 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and mobile socket restrict it to laptops and compact systems.

For a user building a desktop machine with a dedicated GPU, the i5-14490F offers substantially higher multi-core performance, a 65 W TDP that suits standard tower coolers, and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. For a user who needs an integrated GPU and operates in a mobile form factor, the Ultra 7 256V delivers competitive single-thread performance and a much lower 17 W TDP, but it cannot match the i5 in any multi-threaded benchmark except for the single prime number test.

The average benchmark scores tell the story: 38149 for the i5 versus 21112 for the Ultra 7. The i5 is the higher-performing part overall, while the Ultra 7 is the more power-efficient part with integrated graphics. The choice depends on whether the priority is raw compute throughput or mobility and integrated graphics capability.