Intel Core i5-14500 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark sweep is completely one-sided. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins all 17 recorded comparisons against the Intel Core i5-14500. There is not a single test in the database where the i5-14500 takes the lead.

The Core i5-14500 does hold one structural advantage: it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 9 285 is limited to DDR5 only. For users with existing DDR4 platforms, the i5-14500 offers an upgrade path without a full memory replacement. However, this does not translate into any measured performance win.

The Core Ultra 9 285 dominates in every workload category. Its largest margins appear in prime number finding, where it scores 459 versus 106, a 76.9% advantage. It is also 72.3% ahead in Cinebench R23 single-core, 69.3% ahead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 60.8% ahead in Cinebench R15 single-core. The smallest margin is in PassMark single-thread performance, where the Ultra 9 leads by 19%.

The performance gap is consistent across both synthetic rendering workloads and applied math tests. The Ultra 9 285 delivers 194988 in floating-point math versus 79576, a 59.2% lead. In integer math, it scores 164869 against 108124, a 34.4% lead. Data compression and encryption also favor the Ultra 9 285 by 38.3% and 54.3%, respectively.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to entirely different Intel architectures and sockets. The Core i5-14500 uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It fits the Intel Socket 1700. The Core Ultra 9 285 uses Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-S, built on TSMC's 3 nm process. It fits the Intel Socket 1851.

Core counts differ substantially. The i5-14500 has 14 cores and 20 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement with performance and efficiency cores plus Hyper-Threading. The Ultra 9 285 has 24 cores and 24 threads, which means no Hyper-Threading, a design choice that favors additional physical cores over logical threads.

Cache hierarchies are also different. The i5-14500 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 9 285 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 9 also has a larger die, 243 mm² versus 215 mm², and a much higher transistor count of 17,800 million; the i5-14500's transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Clock speeds tell part of the story. The i5-14500 has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Ultra 9 285 has a lower base clock of 2.50 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz. Both have a TDP of 65 watts. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Memory bandwidth is explicitly recorded only for the Ultra 9 285, at 102.4 GB/s. Both support ECC memory and dual-channel memory buses. PCIe connectivity differs: the i5-14500 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 9 285 offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-14500 uses UHD Graphics 770. The Ultra 9 285 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. Both are desktop-class parts, and both are active in production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows the largest single-core gap. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 9 285 scores 6909 against 1917, a 72.3% lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 48945 against 15012, a 69.3% lead. The R20 results show a 46.6% lead in both single-core (2901 versus 1550) and multi-core (20556 versus 10985). The R15 results show a 60.8% lead in single-core (696 versus 273) and a 50.6% lead in multi-core (4933 versus 2435).

PassMark results reinforce the pattern. The largest PassMark margin is in prime number finding, 76.9%. Floating-point math shows a 59.2% lead, extended instructions a 50.5% lead, and physics a 51.5% lead. Data encryption shows a 54.3% lead. Random string sorting shows a 44.4% lead. Multithread performance shows a 45.6% lead. Data compression shows a 38.3% lead. Integer math shows a 34.4% lead.

The smallest recorded margin is in PassMark single-thread, where the Ultra 9 285 scores 4881 versus 3952, a 19% lead. This suggests that while the Ultra 9 285 clearly wins single-threaded workloads, the relative advantage is much smaller than in multi-threaded and vectorized tasks. For workloads that depend on raw single-core speed rather than core count or instruction-level parallelism, the i5-14500 is comparatively closer.

The average benchmark score confirms the overall hierarchy. The i5-14500 averages 38531 across all recorded benchmarks, placing it at the 86th percentile of all CPUs. The Ultra 9 285 averages 75488, placing it at the 95th percentile. That is roughly a 96% higher average score, though the head-to-head deltas vary by test.

The Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is the clear performance winner in every recorded benchmark. The data shows no scenario where the Core i5-14500 outperforms it. Users who prioritize maximum throughput in rendering, encryption, compression, math, and multi-threaded workloads should select the Ultra 9 285. Its 24 cores, larger cache, higher boost clock, and newer 3 nm process from TSMC all contribute to its consistent lead.

The Core i5-14500 remains viable for users constrained by platform compatibility. It uses Intel Socket 1700, which is an older socket, and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Ultra 9 285 requires Intel Socket 1851 and DDR5 only. For someone upgrading an existing DDR4 system, the i5-14500 avoids a memory purchase. Its 65 watt TDP matches the Ultra 9 285, so power envelope is not a differentiator.

However, the benchmark data offers no performance-based reason to choose the i5-14500. The Ultra 9 285 leads by double digits in every single test, with the smallest margin at 19% in single-thread performance and the largest at 76.9% in prime number finding. The i5-14500's 14 cores and 20 threads cannot compensate for the Ultra 9 285's 24 cores and 24 threads, especially in multi-threaded workloads where the Ultra 9 leads by 45.6% to 69.3% depending on the test.

The percentile ranking also reflects the gap. The i5-14500 sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs, which is respectable, but the Ultra 9 285 sits at the 95th percentile. The nearest rivals for the i5-14500 include the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T (average score 38561, 0.1% higher) and the Intel Core 9 270H (average score 38335, 0.5% lower). The nearest rivals for the Ultra 9 285 include the AMD EPYC 8224P (average score 75582, 0.1% higher) and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755 (average score 75738, 0.3% higher). These rival comparisons show the i5-14500 competing with mid-range mobile and desktop parts, while the Ultra 9 285 competes with server-class and high-end workstation parts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 boosts to 5.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14500 boosts to 5.00 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-14500 and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 support ECC memory.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 9 285 leads by 76.9% (459 versus 106).

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i5-14500 has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: No. The i5-14500 uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Ultra 9 285 uses Intel Socket 1851.

Q: What is the smallest performance gap between the two?

A: The smallest gap is in PassMark single-thread, where the Ultra 9 285 leads by 19% (4881 versus 3952).

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-14500 | Intel Core Ultra 9 285 |

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

| Cores | 14 | 24 |

| Threads | 20 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.60 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Arrow Lake-S |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2024-12-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | $579 |

| Part Number | SRN3T | SRQD4 |

Both processors have a 65 watt TDP, dual-channel memory buses, ECC support, locked multipliers, and active production status. The i5-14500 was released earlier in January 2024, while the Ultra 9 285 arrived in December 2024.