Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

Intel Core i5-14490F and Intel Core Ultra 7 356H represent two distinct approaches to processing, one optimized for desktop environments and the other for mobile platforms. The benchmark data shows a clear split in capabilities, with the desktop processor excelling in single-threaded and legacy multi-core workloads, while the mobile chip demonstrates superior performance in modern, heavily threaded applications and specific instruction sets. The i5-14490F records an average benchmark score of 38149, placing it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ultra 7 356H achieves an average score of 41215, ranking in the 87th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H dominates the benchmark comparison, securing 12 wins out of 17 recorded tests. Its most decisive victories come in the PassMark suite, particularly in prime number finding where it scores 327 against the i5-14490F's 122, a 62.7% advantage. Floating point math shows a 35.5% lead for the mobile chip, with scores of 103128 versus 66558. Data encryption also favors the Ultra 7 356H significantly, delivering 26345 points compared to 18225, a 30.8% gap. These results indicate the Panther Lake architecture carries substantial computational advantages in mathematical and cryptographic workloads.

The Ultra 7 356H also wins in Cinebench R20 multicore, scoring 12153 against 9660, a 20.5% margin, and in Cinebench R15 multicore with 3055 versus 2318, a 24.1% lead. PassMark multithread results show 33978 for the Ultra 7 against 28662 for the i5-14490F, a 15.6% difference. The mobile processor additionally wins in physics, extended instructions, random string sorting, and single-thread PassMark tests, though by smaller margins in the last category at 4.9%.

The Intel Core i5-14490F claims victory in five tests, with its most prominent win coming in Cinebench R23 single-core. There, it scores 3247 against 2040, a commanding 59.2% lead. Cinebench R23 multicore also goes to the desktop chip, with 23000 versus 18395, a 25% advantage. The i5-14490F wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 7.9%, PassMark integer math by 5.7%, and PassMark data compression by a narrow 1.1% margin.

Architecture Differences

The two processors stem from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-14490F uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 7 356H employs the Panther Lake architecture on a 3 nm node. This manufacturing difference helps explain the mobile chip's efficiency advantages, though the desktop part compensates with higher clock speeds.

Core configurations diverge sharply. The i5-14490F offers 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Ultra 7 356H provides 16 cores and 16 threads. This means the Ultra 7 has more physical cores but no additional thread count, suggesting a different core layout where each core handles one thread. The desktop processor's 2.50 GHz base clock rises to 5.00 GHz boost, while the mobile chip operates at 1.90 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. The i5-14490F therefore has a 0.30 GHz higher boost ceiling, which contributes to its single-core dominance.

Cache hierarchies also differ substantially. The i5-14490F has 80 KB L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Ultra 7 356H features 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. While the mobile chip has larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations, the desktop part provides 6 MB more L3 cache. The physical die size for the i5-14490F is 215 mm², while the Ultra 7 356H does not have a recorded die size in the database.

Memory support distinguishes the platforms as well. The i5-14490F supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the Ultra 7 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The desktop processor uses Intel Socket 1700, whereas the mobile chip is built for Intel BGA 2540. PCIe capabilities favor the desktop part with Gen 5 and 16 lanes, while the Ultra 7 356H offers Gen 5 with 12 lanes.

The Ultra 7 356H includes integrated Intel Xe3 Graphics, while the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics. Thermal design power differs significantly, with the desktop chip rated at 65 W and the mobile chip at 25 W. Both processors have locked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory.

The Verdict

The recorded data indicates the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is the stronger overall performer, with its average benchmark score of 41215 exceeding the i5-14490F's 38149 by approximately 8%. Its 87th percentile ranking versus the desktop chip's 86th percentile reinforces this assessment. The mobile processor wins 12 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, including all major PassMark tests except integer math and data compression.

However, the choice between these processors depends heavily on workload priorities. The i5-14490F delivers superior single-core performance in Cinebench R23, leading by 59.2%, which matters for lightly threaded applications and legacy software. Its 25% advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore also suggests strength in certain rendering scenarios. The desktop chip's higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz and 24 MB L3 cache serve these workloads well.

For users prioritizing raw computational throughput, encryption, floating-point operations, and prime number calculations, the Ultra 7 356H is clearly superior. Its 16 physical cores and 3 nm process enable efficiency that the older 10 nm desktop part cannot match. The mobile chip's integrated graphics also adds capability absent from the i5-14490F.

The i5-14490F's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T with a delta of -0.1%, the Intel Core i5-13600KF at +0.1%, the AMD Ryzen 7 250 at -0.2%, and the Intel Core i5-13600HX at -0.3%. The Ultra 7 356H sits near the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 with 0% delta, the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H at -0.1%, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X at -0.4%, and the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H at +0.6%. These proximity figures show each processor competes closely with its immediate peers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores, while the Intel Core i5-14490F has 10 cores. Both processors support 16 threads.

Q: How significant is the single-core performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-14490F scores 3247 against the Ultra 7 356H's 2040, a 59.2% lead. However, in PassMark single-thread tests, the Ultra 7 356H leads with 4072 versus 3873, a 4.9% margin.

Q: What are the thermal design power ratings?

A: The i5-14490F has a TDP of 65 W, while the Ultra 7 356H has a TDP of 25 W.

Q: Does the Ultra 7 356H include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Ultra 7 356H includes Intel Xe3 Graphics. The i5-14490F has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor shows better data encryption performance?

A: The Ultra 7 356H scores 26345 in PassMark data encryption, compared to 18225 for the i5-14490F, a 30.8% advantage.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The i5-14490F supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic divergence appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i5-14490F scores 3247 versus 2040 for the Ultra 7 356H, a 59.2% delta. This result reflects the desktop processor's higher 5.00 GHz boost clock and larger 24 MB L3 cache. Cinebench R23 multicore shows the i5-14490F leading again with 23000 against 18395, a 25% margin, demonstrating that the desktop chip's architecture handles this specific rendering workload efficiently despite having fewer cores.

The Ultra 7 356H reverses the trend in Cinebench R20, winning multicore with 12153 versus 9660, a 20.5% gap, and single-core with 1715 versus 1363, also a 20.5% delta. Cinebench R15 results follow a similar pattern, with the Ultra 7 winning multicore at 3055 versus 2318, a 24.1% lead, while the i5-14490F wins single-core at 327 versus 303, a 7.9% margin.

PassMark tests reveal the Ultra 7 356H's broad strengths. Floating point math shows a 35.5% lead, with 103128 against 66558. Prime number finding delivers the largest margin of any test at 62.7%, with 327 versus 122. Data encryption shows a 30.8% advantage at 26345 versus 18225. Extended instructions favor the mobile chip by 22.1%, with 27898 versus 21731. Physics scores 2895 against 2093, a 27.7% lead. Random string sorting shows 40990 versus 35608, a 13.1% margin. PassMark multithread results give the Ultra 7 a 15.6% edge, 33978 versus 28662, and single-thread tests show a modest 4.9% lead with 4072 versus 3873.

The i5-14490F claims PassMark data compression with 340026 against 336177, a narrow 1.1% win. Integer math also goes to the desktop chip, 87844 versus 83111, a 5.7% margin. These five wins for the i5-14490F concentrate in areas where cache size and clock speed matter most, while the Ultra 7 356H's twelve wins span a wider range of computational tasks, cementing its position as the higher-scoring processor in the database with an average benchmark score of 41215.