Intel Core i5-14500 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins every single recorded test. Across 17 head-to-head comparisons, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus takes all 17, while the Intel Core i5-14500 records zero victories. This is not a close contest by any metric, but the margin varies sharply depending on workload type.

The largest gaps appear in heavily parallel and specialized workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 30,867 against the i5-14500's 15,012, a 51.4% advantage. PassMark floating point math shows a similar pattern: 162,692 versus 79,576, a 51.1% lead. The find prime numbers test delivers the most extreme delta, with the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scoring 486 versus 106, a 78.2% gap that indicates substantially stronger integer throughput per core or per thread.

The narrowest wins for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus occur in single-threaded and lightly threaded tests. PassMark single thread shows 4,757 versus 3,952, a 16.9% margin. Cinebench R23 single core shows 2,261 versus 1,917, a 15.2% margin. PassMark integer math is the closest overall at 125,091 versus 108,124, a 13.6% edge. These smaller deltas still favor the newer part, but they suggest that the architecture advantage narrows when the workload cannot exploit the full core count.

The data shows no workload category where the i5-14500 takes a lead. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus leads in compression, encryption, extended instruction sets, physics simulation, random string sorting, and every Cinebench variant. The average benchmark score reinforces this: the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus sits at 66,855 versus the i5-14500's 38,531. The percentile ranking also separates them, with the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs and the i5-14500 at the 86th.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing generations and use different fundamental designs. The Intel Core i5-14500 uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It has 14 cores and 20 threads, which indicates a hybrid layout with performance and efficiency cores. The die size is 215 mm². The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC, with 18 cores and 18 threads. The die is larger at 243 mm² and contains 17,800 million transistors.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The i5-14500 provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches in the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus likely contribute to its single-threaded advantage, particularly in integer math where the delta is smallest.

Memory support also splits the two. The i5-14500 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is DDR5-only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, a figure not listed for the i5-14500. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe capabilities differ. The i5-14500 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i5-14500 uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

Clock speeds and power envelopes show the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus operating at higher levels. The i5-14500 has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, with a TDP of 65 watts. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus runs at a base of 4.20 GHz and boosts to 5.30 GHz, with a TDP of 125 watts. The multiplier is locked on the i5-14500 and unlocked on the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus.

The sockets are incompatible. The i5-14500 uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851. The release dates differ by over two years: the i5-14500 launched on January 7, 2024, and the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus on March 10, 2026. Both are listed as Active in production status.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to one conclusion: the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the faster processor in every benchmark category measured. The 17-0 win count is decisive. Any user selecting between these two parts based on performance alone should choose the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, provided the platform requirements are met.

The i5-14500 retains relevance only through legacy platform compatibility. It uses Socket 1700, supports DDR4 memory, and has a lower 65 watt TDP. For builds that require DDR4 support or an existing LGA 1700 motherboard, the i5-14500 remains functional, but the benchmark results show it trailing by double digits in most tests.

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus delivers the highest scores in all categories, with particularly strong multi-threaded performance. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30,867 is more than double the i5-14500's 15,012. The PassMark multithread score of 51,596 versus 30,777 confirms the same pattern. The single-threaded advantage is smaller but consistent, ranging from 13.6% to 16.9% depending on the test.

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus also ranks higher in the overall percentile, sitting at the 93rd percentile versus the 86th for the i5-14500. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD EPYC 4465P at a 0.1% lower average score and the Intel Xeon 6515P at a 0.2% lower score, placing it in strong company. The i5-14500's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T at a 0.1% lower score and the Intel Xeon w3-2525 at a 0.4% higher score.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus leads in every multi-core test. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 30,867 versus 15,012, a 51.4% advantage. PassMark multithread shows 51,596 versus 30,777, a 40.4% lead.

Q: How much faster is the single-core performance of the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus?

A: The single-core advantage ranges from 13.6% to 16.9%. PassMark single thread shows 4,757 versus 3,952 (16.9% higher), and Cinebench R23 single core shows 2,261 versus 1,917 (15.2% higher).

Q: Do both processors support DDR4 memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-14500 supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports DDR5 only.

Q: Are these processors socket-compatible?

A: No. The i5-14500 uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The i5-14500 has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The newer part has more physical cores but no hyper-threading.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus boosts to 5.30 GHz, while the i5-14500 boosts to 5.00 GHz. The base clocks are 4.20 GHz and 2.60 GHz, respectively.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus comes in PassMark find prime numbers. The score of 486 versus 106 represents a 78.2% delta, the widest margin in the entire benchmark set. This test is highly sensitive to per-core integer execution and cache behavior, and the 3 nm Arrow Lake design with larger L1 and L2 caches delivers a massive improvement.

Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the second-largest margin at 51.4%. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 30,867, while the i5-14500 scores 15,012. This test scales with core count and memory bandwidth, and the 18-core part with 30 MB of L3 cache and 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth dominates. PassMark floating point math follows closely at a 51.1% delta, with scores of 162,692 and 79,576.

PassMark extended instructions shows a 49.6% delta, with the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scoring 44,565 against 22,473. PassMark data encryption shows a 49.1% delta, with scores of 42,144 and 21,457. PassMark physics shows an exactly 50% delta, with scores of 3,494 and 1,746. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 47.5% delta, with scores of 4,640 and 2,435.

The Cinebench R20 tests show deltas of 40.4% for multi-core and 40.5% for single-core. The multi-core scores are 18,442 versus 10,985, and the single-core scores are 2,603 versus 1,550. PassMark multithread shows a 40.4% delta, with scores of 51,596 and 30,777. PassMark random string sorting shows a 40.7% delta, with scores of 69,090 and 40,980.

The smallest margins appear in integer-focused workloads. PassMark integer math shows a 13.6% delta, with scores of 125,091 and 108,124. Cinebench R23 single core shows a 15.2% delta, with scores of 2,261 and 1,917. Cinebench R15 single core shows a 16.8% delta, with scores of 328 and 273. PassMark single thread shows a 16.9% delta, with scores of 4,757 and 3,952.

PassMark data compression shows a 34.7% delta, with scores of 568,721 and 371,294. This test benefits from the larger L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth of the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. Every recorded benchmark follows the same direction, with no test showing a win for the i5-14500.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: the i5-14500 has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. Clock speeds also differ, with base clocks of 2.60 GHz versus 4.20 GHz and boost clocks of 5.00 GHz versus 5.30 GHz. The TDP rating is 65 watts for the i5-14500 and 125 watts for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus.

The process node differs: the i5-14500 uses 10 nm at Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses 3 nm at TSMC. The die size is 215 mm² for the i5-14500 and 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a recorded transistor count of 17,800 million; no transistor count is listed for the i5-14500.

Cache sizes differ at every level. L1 cache is 80 KB per core for the i5-14500 and 192 KB per core for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core versus 3 MB per core. L3 cache is 24 MB shared versus 30 MB shared.

Memory support differs: the i5-14500 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s; no bandwidth figure is listed for the i5-14500. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe capabilities differ: the i5-14500 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 on the i5-14500 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU on the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus.

Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1700 for the i5-14500 and Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. The multiplier is locked on the i5-14500 and unlocked on the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. Release dates differ: January 7, 2024 for the i5-14500 and March 10, 2026 for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. The launch MSRP for the i5-14500 is $232, and the launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is $199.