Intel Core i5-14500HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

Intel Core i5-14500HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H

The database records two mobile processors from Intel with contrasting designs. The Core i5-14500HX is a Raptor Lake-HX part with 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 338H is a Panther Lake-H part with 12 cores and 12 threads. Their benchmark profiles split sharply along workload type, with the i5 dominating multi-threaded rendering and integer math, while the Ultra 5 leads in physics, encryption, and single-thread PassMark scores. Both processors hold an 84th percentile ranking among all CPUs, but their average benchmark scores differ by roughly 3% in favor of the i5.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14500HX has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. The i5 also has a higher base clock of 2.60 GHz compared to 1.90 GHz, and a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.70 GHz.

Q: How do their Cinebench R23 scores compare?

A: The Core i5-14500HX wins multi-core by a large margin, scoring 24234 versus 16331, a 48.4% advantage. The single-core gap is even larger, with the i5 scoring 3421 versus 2044, a 67.4% lead.

Q: In which benchmark does the Core Ultra 5 338H show its biggest win?

A: The largest win for the Ultra 5 is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 304 versus 130 for the i5, a 57.2% advantage. It also leads in PassMark physics with 2697 versus 1911, a 29.1% gap.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The Core i5-14500HX uses Intel's 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 5 338H uses a 3 nm process. The Ultra 5 also has a larger L1 cache per core at 192 KB versus 80 KB, and a larger L2 cache per core at 2.5 MB versus 2 MB.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Core i5-14500HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel bus. The Core Ultra 5 338H supports only LPDDR5X with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Core i5-14500HX has a TDP of 55, while the Core Ultra 5 338H has a TDP of 25. The i5 also has a larger shared L3 cache at 24 MB versus 18 MB for the Ultra 5.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i5-14500HX wins 6 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. Its victories are concentrated in multi-threaded rendering and integer-heavy workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5 scores 24234 against 16331, a 48.4% lead. The single-core R23 result is even more decisive, 3421 versus 2044, a 67.4% gap. PassMark integer math also favors the i5 heavily, 95584 versus 64934, which is a 47.2% advantage. Data compression goes to the i5 with 333851 versus 276539, a 20.7% win. Random string sorting is another i5 win, 36219 versus 34082, a 6.3% margin. The i5 also takes Cinebench R15 single-core, 344 versus 305, a 12.8% lead.

The Core Ultra 5 338H wins 11 benchmarks. Its strengths lie in specific math operations and some single-thread tests. The largest win is in PassMark find prime numbers, 304 versus 130, a 57.2% advantage. PassMark physics shows a 29.1% lead, 2697 versus 1911. Floating point math favors the Ultra 5, 84067 versus 69442, a 17.4% gap. Extended instructions go to the Ultra 5, 23906 versus 20019, a 16.3% margin. PassMark single-thread is an Ultra 5 win, 4180 versus 3629, a 13.2% lead. Data encryption also favors the Ultra 5, 21367 versus 19502, an 8.7% gap. The Ultra 5 edges out the i5 in several near-ties: Cinebench R15 multi-core (2504 versus 2442, a 2.5% lead), Cinebench R20 multi-core (10213 versus 10178, a 0.3% lead), Cinebench R20 single-core (1441 versus 1436, a 0.3% lead), and PassMark multithread (28717 versus 28508, a 0.7% lead).

The data indicates a clear split. The i5-14500HX delivers its wins in sustained multi-core workloads and integer operations. The Ultra 5 338H counters with superior performance in physics simulations, prime number calculations, and single-thread PassMark tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The Core i5-14500HX is based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-HX refresh, and uses Intel's 10 nm process node. The Core Ultra 5 338H uses the Panther Lake architecture and Intel's 3 nm process. This process difference is significant, as the Ultra 5 packs more cache per core despite having fewer total cores. The Ultra 5 has 192 KB L1 per core and 2.5 MB L2 per core, compared to 80 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 for the i5. The i5 compensates with a larger shared L3 cache of 24 MB versus 18 MB for the Ultra 5.

The core counts differ in structure. The i5-14500HX has 14 cores and 20 threads, implying a hybrid arrangement with performance and efficient cores. The Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads, indicating no simultaneous multithreading. The i5 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ultra 5 is locked. The i5 supports ECC memory, which the Ultra 5 does not. Memory support also diverges, with the i5 accepting DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 is limited to LPDDR5X.

The integrated graphics differ substantially. The i5 uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 5 uses Arc B370. PCIe lane counts also differ, with the i5 offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and the Ultra 5 offering Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The sockets are incompatible: the i5 uses Intel BGA 1964, and the Ultra 5 uses Intel BGA 2540. The release dates are recorded as January 2024 for the i5 and January 2026 for the Ultra 5.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications for the two chips show clear separation. The i5-14500HX has 14 cores and 20 threads, base clock 2.60 GHz, boost clock 4.90 GHz, TDP 55, and a die size of 257 mm². The Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads, base clock 1.90 GHz, boost clock 4.70 GHz, TDP 25, and no recorded die size. Cache hierarchy differs as described: the i5 has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Ultra 5 has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3.

Memory support is exclusive to each. The i5 lists DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel bus and no recorded bandwidth. The Ultra 5 lists LPDDR5X with dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. ECC is supported on the i5 but not on the Ultra 5. The i5 has 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, the Ultra 5 has 4. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 versus Arc B370. The multiplier is unlocked on the i5 and locked on the Ultra 5. Part numbers are SRMXJ for the i5 and SA4REQ9EW for the Ultra 5.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single benchmark win belongs to the i5-14500HX in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 3421 versus 2044, a 67.4% advantage. This result is striking because the Ultra 5 has a higher PassMark single-thread score, yet Cinebench R23 single-core shows the opposite. The i5 also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 48.4%, scoring 24234 against 16331, which aligns with its higher core count and thread count.

The Ultra 5 338H counters with a 57.2% win in PassMark find prime numbers, 304 versus 130. This test often reflects integer and branch prediction efficiency, where the newer Panther Lake architecture may have an edge. The Ultra 5 also wins PassMark physics by 29.1%, 2697 versus 1911, suggesting better floating-point execution in simulation workloads. PassMark floating point math goes to the Ultra 5, 84067 versus 69442, a 17.4% lead.

In PassMark integer math, the i5 dominates with 95584 versus 64934, a 47.2% win. This contrasts with the prime numbers result, indicating that the i5 excels at general integer throughput while the Ultra 5 is better at specific prime-finding operations. Data compression favors the i5 by 20.7%, 333851 versus 276539. Data encryption favors the Ultra 5 by 8.7%, 21367 versus 19502. Extended instructions go to the Ultra 5 by 16.3%, 23906 versus 20019.

Single-thread PassMark goes to the Ultra 5, 4180 versus 3629, a 13.2% lead. The i5 wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 12.8%, 344 versus 305. These two results conflict, suggesting the benchmarks measure different aspects of single-thread performance. The near-ties in Cinebench R20 multi-core (10213 versus 10178, a 0.3% edge for the Ultra 5) and R15 multi-core (2504 versus 2442, a 2.5% edge for the Ultra 5) show that the two chips are closely matched in older Cinebench versions, despite the large R23 gap.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows two distinct performance profiles. The Intel Core i5-14500HX is the choice for multi-threaded rendering and integer-heavy work. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 24234 is 48.4% ahead of the Ultra 5's 16331. The i5 also leads in integer math by 47.2%, data compression by 20.7%, and random string sorting by 6.3%. Its single-core Cinebench R23 result is 67.4% higher, which points to strong per-thread rendering performance.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the pick for physics simulation, prime number calculation, and single-thread PassMark tasks. It wins PassMark physics by 29.1%, find prime numbers by 57.2%, and single-thread by 13.2%. It also leads in floating point math by 17.4%, extended instructions by 16.3%, and data encryption by 8.7%. The Ultra 5 holds a 0.7% edge in PassMark multithread, 28717 versus 28508, despite having fewer cores and threads.

The i5-14500HX has a higher TDP of 55 versus 25, which suggests it may require more cooling, though the database does not record thermal performance. The Ultra 5 uses a smaller 3 nm process and has a newer architecture. The i5 offers 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus 4, which is relevant for discrete GPU connectivity. The Ultra 5 has a higher memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, though it only supports LPDDR5X.

For users prioritizing Cinebench rendering and integer throughput, the i5-14500HX delivers the higher scores. For physics, encryption, and single-thread PassMark performance, the Ultra 5 338H shows clear advantages. The overall average benchmark score favors the i5, 35094 versus 33989, a 3.1% difference, but the workload-specific wins are more informative than the aggregate. The choice depends on which benchmark family matches the intended use case.