Intel Core i5-14500T vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T records an average benchmark score of 30468, placing it in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i5-14500T averages 28065, which lands in the 80th percentile. The Ultra 5 sits about 8.6% higher in average score.

Q: Which processor wins more individual benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head tests. The Intel Core i5-14500T wins only 2 tests: PassMark data compression and PassMark integer math.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two in any test?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core Ultra 5 225T scores 21971 versus 11790 for the Core i5-14500T, a 46.3% advantage for the Ultra 5.

Q: Does the Core i5-14500T have any meaningful advantage in single-threaded work?

A: No. The Core Ultra 5 225T leads in Cinebench R15 single-core (312 vs 252, 19.2% ahead), Cinebench R20 single-core (1302 vs 1154, 11.4% ahead), Cinebench R23 single-core (3101 vs 1838, 40.7% ahead), and PassMark single-thread (4348 vs 3736, 14.1% ahead).

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in memory bandwidth?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T specifies a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s with DDR5-only support. The Core i5-14500T supports both DDR4 and DDR5 but has no recorded memory bandwidth figure in the database.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Core i5-14500T has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads. Despite fewer threads, the Ultra 5 wins the majority of tests.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits the two processors into distinct use cases. The Core Ultra 5 225T dominates rendering, physics simulation, encryption, extended instruction workloads, and single-threaded responsiveness. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21971 is nearly double the 11790 of the Core i5-14500T, indicating a massive advantage in prolonged all-core workloads. The physics test also shows a 37.3% lead (2053 vs 1288), suggesting stronger computational throughput for simulation tasks.

The Core i5-14500T, however, wins in two specific PassMark workloads. Data compression scores 262417 versus 233998 for the Ultra 5, a 12.1% advantage. Integer math scores 80922 versus 59543, a striking 35.9% lead. These wins point to workloads that favor the higher core count and thread count of the 14-core, 20-thread part, specifically tasks that scale with parallel integer operations and compression algorithms.

For general multi-threaded performance, the Ultra 5 still leads in PassMark multithread (25358 vs 22910, 9.7% ahead) and in every Cinebench multi-core test. The Core i5-14500T cannot match the Ultra 5 in encryption (15410 vs 18289, 15.7% behind), floating-point math (58869 vs 82751, 28.9% behind), or extended instructions (16043 vs 20083, 20.1% behind). The data shows the Ultra 5 is the stronger all-around performer, while the Core i5-14500T retains narrow specialty wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures and manufacturing nodes. The Core i5-14500T uses Raptor Lake (specifically Raptor Lake-R) built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². The Core Ultra 5 225T uses Arrow Lake (Arrow Lake-S) built on TSMC's 3 nm process with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors. The shift to a 3 nm node with TSMC as foundry marks a fundamental change in fabrication.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The Core i5-14500T has 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 225T has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. While the Ultra 5 has larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations, the Core i5-14500T has 4 MB more shared L3.

Memory support diverges. The Core i5-14500T supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and ECC memory support. The Core Ultra 5 225T supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, with a recorded 102.4 GB/s bandwidth, but lacks ECC support. PCIe lanes also differ: the Core i5-14500T provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 225T provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core i5-14500T ships with UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 5 225T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units. Sockets are incompatible: the Core i5-14500T uses Intel Socket 1700, the Core Ultra 5 225T uses Intel Socket 1851.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every core specification. The Core i5-14500T has 14 cores and 20 threads; the Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads. Base clocks are 1.70 GHz for the Core i5-14500T and 2.50 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 225T. Boost clocks are 4.80 GHz and 4.90 GHz respectively. TDP differs substantially: 35 watts for the Core i5-14500T versus 65 watts for the Core Ultra 5 225T.

Release dates differ by almost a year. The Core i5-14500T was released on January 7, 2024, with a recorded launch MSRP of $232. The Core Ultra 5 225T was released on December 31, 2024, with no launch MSRP recorded. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Core i5-14500T has a known part number (SRN3P), while the Ultra 5 part number is unknown.

Process node, foundry, transistors, and die size all differ as described above. L1 cache per core, L2 cache per core, and L3 shared cache all differ. The Core i5-14500T supports DDR4 and DDR5 with ECC; the Core Ultra 5 225T supports only DDR5 without ECC. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for the Ultra 5 at 102.4 GB/s. PCIe lane count differs (16 vs 20 lanes, both Gen 5). Integrated graphics differ (UHD Graphics 770 vs Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU). Both are desktop parts, both active in production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 5 225T wins the rendering tests decisively. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra 5 scores 21971 against 11790 for the Core i5-14500T, a 46.3% margin. The R23 single-core test shows 3101 versus 1838, a 40.7% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core favors the Ultra 5 at 9227 versus 8177 (11.4% ahead), and R20 single-core at 1302 versus 1154 (11.4% ahead). Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 2214 versus 2022 (8.7% ahead), and R15 single-core shows 312 versus 252 (19.2% ahead).

PassMark physics heavily favors the Ultra 5: 2053 versus 1288, a 37.3% lead. Floating-point math goes to the Ultra 5 at 82751 versus 58869 (28.9% ahead). Extended instructions favor the Ultra 5 at 20083 versus 16043 (20.1% ahead). Prime number finding shows the largest percentage gap: 284 versus 81, a 71.5% lead for the Ultra 5. Data encryption favors the Ultra 5 at 18289 versus 15410 (15.7% ahead). PassMark multithread goes to the Ultra 5 at 25358 versus 22910 (9.7% ahead). Random string sorting is close: 28774 versus 28462, a 1.1% edge for the Ultra 5. Single-thread tests show 4348 versus 3736, a 14.1% lead for the Ultra 5.

The Core i5-14500T wins two tests. PassMark data compression scores 262417 versus 233998, a 12.1% advantage. PassMark integer math scores 80922 versus 59543, a 35.9% advantage. These two wins, while significant in their specific workloads, do not offset the broader pattern. The recorded data shows the Core Ultra 5 225T winning 15 of 17 tests, with the Core i5-14500T taking only the compression and integer math workloads.

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a clear verdict: the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T is the stronger processor across nearly all measured workloads. It wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, including every Cinebench test, every single-thread test, and the majority of PassMark workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21971 is 46.3% higher than the Core i5-14500T's 11790, and its single-core score of 3101 is 40.7% higher. The Ultra 5 also holds an 82nd percentile ranking versus the 80th percentile for the Core i5-14500T.

The Core i5-14500T retains two specific strengths: data compression (262417 vs 233998, 12.1% ahead) and integer math (80922 vs 59543, 35.9% ahead). These results suggest the higher core count and thread count of the 14-core, 20-thread part can still matter for certain parallel integer and compression workloads. The Core i5-14500T also carries a lower TDP of 35 watts versus 65 watts, which may suit constrained thermal environments, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory with ECC.

For users prioritizing rendering, physics simulation, encryption, extended instruction workloads, or single-threaded responsiveness, the data points to the Core Ultra 5 225T. For users with workloads specifically heavy on integer math or data compression, the Core i5-14500T shows a measurable edge in those tests. The overall average benchmark score confirms the Ultra 5's position: 30468 versus 28065, placing it about 8.6% higher on average. The database records support the Ultra 5 as the default choice unless the Core i5-14500T's specific wins align with the primary workload.