Intel Core i7-14650HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two processors into clearly different roles. The Intel Core i7-14650HX wins 11 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins 6. That alone suggests the i7 is the stronger all-round performer, but the nature of the wins matters more than the count.

The i7-14650HX dominates in multi-threaded workloads that scale with core count and thread count. It leads by 56.8% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 29.5% in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 32.1% in PassMark multithread. Its biggest margins come in integer math, where it scores 116661 against 59543, a 95.9% advantage. Data compression shows a 70.3% lead, and random string sorting a 49.6% lead. These are the kinds of workloads found in video encoding, 3D rendering, database operations, and software compilation.

The Ultra 5 225T wins in single-thread performance and in specific workloads that favor its newer architecture. It leads by 8.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 36.5% in Cinebench R23 single-core, and 11.7% in PassMark single-thread. It also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 6.9%, which is notable because that is usually a multi-thread test. The other win is PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 284 versus 152, a 46.5% advantage. That workload rewards single-core efficiency and per-core throughput rather than raw thread count.

So the split is practical: the i7-14650HX is the choice for heavily parallel work, while the Ultra 5 225T handles single-threaded tasks and lightly threaded applications more efficiently. The i7 also wins floating point math by 2.7%, physics by 7.3%, data encryption by 25.3%, and extended instructions by 20.3%, which means it is not purely a core-count champion. It wins in a broad set of measured tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different Intel generations and foundries. The i7-14650HX uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process built by Intel. The Ultra 5 225T uses Arrow Lake architecture on a 3 nm process built by TSMC. That process difference explains much of the efficiency and single-thread behavior.

The i7-14650HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads. The i7 uses simultaneous multithreading, the Ultra 5 does not. Base clocks are 2.20 GHz for the i7 and 2.50 GHz for the Ultra 5, but boost clocks are 5.20 GHz and 4.90 GHz respectively. The i7 has a larger L3 cache at 30 MB shared, while the Ultra 5 has 20 MB shared. The i7 also has a smaller per-core L1 cache at 80 KB versus 192 KB, and a smaller per-core L2 at 2 MB versus 3 MB.

The Ultra 5 225T is built on Socket 1851, supports DDR5 only, and has 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. The i7-14650HX uses Intel BGA 1964, supports both DDR4 and DDR5, and has 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Ultra 5 has a memory bandwidth figure of 102.4 GB/s recorded in the database, while no bandwidth figure is listed for the i7. The Ultra 5 also has a locked multiplier, while the i7 has an unlocked multiplier.

The transistor count differs significantly. The Ultra 5 225T has 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The i7-14650HX has a 257 mm² die but no transistor count recorded. The Ultra 5 uses TSMC as the foundry, the i7 uses Intel.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i7 includes UHD Graphics 710, while the Ultra 5 includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. The i7 supports ECC memory, the Ultra 5 does not. The i7 is classified as a mobile part, the Ultra 5 as a desktop part. Both are active production parts, with the i7 released in January 2024 and the Ultra 5 released in December 2024.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-14650HX has 16 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads.

Q: Which CPU wins in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins all three single-thread tests recorded: Cinebench R15 single-core by 8.5%, Cinebench R23 single-core by 36.5%, and PassMark single-thread by 11.7%.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-14650HX boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T boosts to 4.90 GHz. The Ultra 5 has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz versus 2.20 GHz.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory types?

A: No. The i7-14650HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 225T supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i7-14650HX has an average benchmark score of 41576, ranking in the 88th percentile. The Ultra 5 225T has an average score of 30468, ranking in the 82nd percentile.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The i7-14650HX supports ECC memory. The Ultra 5 225T does not.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in almost every major specification category. The i7-14650HX offers 16 cores and 24 threads, while the Ultra 5 225T offers 10 cores and 10 threads. Base clocks are 2.20 GHz and 2.50 GHz respectively, while boost clocks are 5.20 GHz and 4.90 GHz. Thermal design power is 55 watts for the i7 and 65 watts for the Ultra 5, although these are different market segments, mobile versus desktop.

The i7 uses Intel BGA 1964, the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851. The i7 is built on a 10 nm process at Intel, the Ultra 5 on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The die size is 257 mm² for the i7 and 243 mm² for the Ultra 5. The Ultra 5 has a recorded transistor count of 17,800 million; the i7 has none listed.

Cache layouts differ. The i7 has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3. The Ultra 5 has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3. Memory support: the i7 accepts DDR4 and DDR5, the Ultra 5 only DDR5. The Ultra 5 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s; no figure is listed for the i7.

PCIe lanes differ: the i7 has 16 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, the Ultra 5 has 20 Gen 5 lanes. ECC support is present on the i7, absent on the Ultra 5. The i7 has an unlocked multiplier, the Ultra 5 is locked. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 710 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. The i7 is a mobile part, the Ultra 5 a desktop part. Release dates are January 2024 for the i7 and December 2024 for the Ultra 5.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the i7-14650HX is in PassMark integer math, where it scores 116661 against the Ultra 5's 59543, a 95.9% advantage. That is nearly double the throughput. Data compression shows a 70.3% lead, with the i7 scoring 398418 versus 233998. Random string sorting goes to the i7 by 49.6%, scoring 43035 versus 28774. Cinebench R15 multi-core favors the i7 by 56.8%, with scores of 3470.5 and 2214. PassMark multithread shows a 32.1% lead for the i7, 33495 versus 25358.

The i7 also wins Cinebench R20 multi-core by 29.5%, 11946 versus 9227, and the same 29.5% margin in Cinebench R20 single-core, 1686 versus 1302. Data encryption goes to the i7 by 25.3%, 22917 versus 18289. Extended instructions favor the i7 by 20.3%, 24150 versus 20083. Physics is close, with the i7 ahead by 7.3%, 2202 versus 2053. Floating point math is even closer, a 2.7% lead for the i7, 84999 versus 82751.

The Ultra 5 225T takes its biggest win in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 3101 versus 1969, a 36.5% advantage. PassMark find prime numbers goes to the Ultra 5 by 46.5%, 284 versus 152. PassMark single-thread favors the Ultra 5 by 11.7%, 4348 versus 3841. Cinebench R15 single-core goes to the Ultra 5 by 8.5%, 312 versus 285.5. Cinebench R23 multi-core is the only multi-threaded test the Ultra 5 wins, 21971 versus 20454, a 6.9% margin.

The pattern is consistent. The i7 wins wherever thread count matters, and it also wins in several mixed workloads like encryption and extended instructions. The Ultra 5 wins where single-core speed is the deciding factor, plus the prime number test and one multi-core rendering test.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward choice based on workload type. The Intel Core i7-14650HX is the stronger processor for multi-threaded and parallel workloads. Its 16 cores and 24 threads deliver decisive wins in integer math, data compression, encryption, and multithreaded rendering tests. It holds an 88th percentile ranking against all CPUs and an average benchmark score of 41576. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H, which scores 41621 with a 0.1% difference, and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X at 41376 with a 0.5% difference. The i7 sits right at that performance tier.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T is the better choice for single-threaded responsiveness. It wins every single-thread test in the database, with particularly large margins in Cinebench R23 single-core and PassMark single-thread. Its 82nd percentile ranking and average score of 30468 place it near the Intel Core i9-11980HK, which scores 30422 with a 0.2% difference, and the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS at 30390 with a 0.3% difference. The Ultra 5 also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core, which suggests its newer Arrow Lake architecture handles that specific rendering workload more efficiently despite fewer threads.

For a desktop build where the workload is primarily single-threaded or lightly threaded, the Ultra 5 225T delivers higher per-core performance. For a mobile workstation or any system handling heavily parallel tasks, the i7-14650HX provides substantially more throughput. The i7 also supports ECC memory and an unlocked multiplier, which are useful for professional workloads and overclocking. The Ultra 5 offers a newer 3 nm process, a higher base clock, more PCIe lanes, and a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. Neither processor is a universal winner. The choice depends on whether the workload favors thread count or single-core speed.