Intel Core i7-14700 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two Intel desktop processors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K wins 13 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i7-14700 takes 4 victories. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

Starting with single-thread performance, the Core Ultra 5 245K demonstrates consistent superiority. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 322 against 299 for the i7-14700, a 7.7% advantage. The gap narrows in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Ultra 5 leads 2169 to 2031, again by 6.8%. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a smaller 2.5% edge, 2132 versus 2080. PassMark single-thread results reinforce this pattern with an 11.3% lead, 4714 points against 4236. The data indicates the Arrow Lake architecture delivers stronger per-thread performance across all tested generations of Cinebench and PassMark.

The multi-core results are far more divided. Cinebench R15 multicore favors the i7-14700 at 4061 versus 3850, a 5.2% deficit for the Ultra 5. Cinebench R23 multicore shows the largest gap in either direction, with the i7-14700 scoring 28398 against 25066, an 11.7% advantage. However, Cinebench R20 multicore flips the result, with the Ultra 5 taking 15368 against 14388, a 6.8% win. This inconsistency across Cinebench versions suggests workload-specific scaling rather than a universal multi-threaded victor.

PassMark's multi-threaded suite adds further complexity. The Ultra 5 wins PassMark multithread by 6.8%, 43047 to 40318, but loses PassMark integer math decisively, 98524 versus 154535, a 36.2% swing in favor of the i7-14700. Conversely, the Ultra 5 dominates floating-point math, 130678 to 106716, a 22.5% margin. The i7-14700 also takes data compression, 498198 to 458817, a 7.9% edge, while the Ultra 5 wins data encryption by 12.4%, 33286 to 29601.

The most dramatic deltas appear in specialized workloads. PassMark find prime numbers shows the Ultra 5 at 414 against 164 for the i7-14700, a staggering 152.4% advantage. PassMark extended instructions favors the Ultra 5 by 32.5%, 37617 to 28388. Physics simulation also skews strongly toward the Ultra 5, 3081 versus 2226, a 38.4% lead. Random string sorting is nearly a tie, with the Ultra 5 ahead by just 1.4%, 55098 to 54340.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear division of use cases. For workloads dominated by single-thread performance, encryption, extended instruction sets, prime number calculation, floating-point math, physics simulation, and random string sorting, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is the stronger choice. Its 13 wins out of 17 comparisons, including decisive margins in prime numbers (152.4%), physics (38.4%), and extended instructions (32.5%), indicate architectural advantages that translate to real-world gains in these areas.

The Intel Core i7-14700, despite fewer overall wins, holds specific advantages that matter for certain tasks. Its 36.2% lead in integer math is the single largest margin in either direction. It also wins Cinebench R23 multicore by 11.7% and data compression by 7.9%, making it the better option for heavily threaded integer workloads and compression tasks. The Cinebench R15 multicore win, while modest at 5.2%, aligns with the pattern of the i7-14700 excelling in certain multi-core scenarios.

The overall average benchmark scores show the Ultra 5 at 54053 against 52301 for the i7-14700, a roughly 3.4% difference in favor of the newer processor. Both sit at the 91st percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the Ultra 5 include the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D at 54762, which is 1.3% ahead, and the Intel Xeon 6505P at 53701, which is 0.7% behind. The i7-14700's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Gold 5320H at 52431, which is 0.2% ahead, and the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X at 51947, which is 0.7% behind.

Users who prioritize encryption, scientific computing, floating-point operations, or single-thread responsiveness should choose the Core Ultra 5 245K. Users who need maximum integer throughput, Cinebench R23 multicore rendering, or data compression performance should select the Core i7-14700. The choice hinges entirely on the specific workload mix.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different architectural generations. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K uses Arrow Lake, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC, with the codename Arrow Lake-S. The Intel Core i7-14700 uses Raptor Lake, specifically Raptor Lake-R, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The foundry difference is notable: TSMC for the Ultra 5, Intel for the i7-14700.

The Ultra 5 contains 14 cores and 14 threads, indicating no hyperthreading. The i7-14700 contains 20 cores and 28 threads, meaning it supports simultaneous multithreading. This explains the i7-14700's higher thread count despite having only 6 more physical cores.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Ultra 5 has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-14700 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches likely contribute to its single-thread and encryption advantages, while the i7-14700's larger shared L3 helps with certain multi-threaded workloads.

The transistor count is listed only for the Ultra 5 at 17,800 million, with a die size of 243 mm². The i7-14700 has a die size of 257 mm², but no transistor count is recorded. The process node difference, 3 nm versus 10 nm, explains the density difference.

Memory support also diverges. The Ultra 5 supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The i7-14700 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but no bandwidth figure is recorded. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe lanes differ: the Ultra 5 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-14700 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ, with the Ultra 5 featuring Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU and the i7-14700 featuring UHD Graphics 770.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors, based solely on the recorded data:

• Cores: 14 (Ultra 5) versus 20 (i7-14700)
• Threads: 14 versus 28
• Base clock: 4.20 GHz versus 2.10 GHz
• Boost clock: 5.20 GHz versus 5.40 GHz
• TDP: 125 W versus 65 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1851 versus Intel Socket 1700
• Process node: 3 nm versus 10 nm
• Foundry: TSMC versus Intel
• L1 cache: 192 KB per core versus 80 KB per core
• L2 cache: 3 MB per core versus 2 MB per core
• L3 cache: 24 MB shared versus 33 MB shared
• Memory support: DDR5 only versus DDR4 and DDR5
• Memory bandwidth: 102.4 GB/s versus not recorded
• PCIe lanes: 20 versus 16
• Integrated graphics: Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU versus UHD Graphics 770
• Multiplier unlocked: true versus false
• Launch MSRP: $319 versus $384
• Release date: 2024-10-23 versus 2024-01-07
• Part number: SRQCT versus SRN40

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K wins all recorded single-core benchmarks. It leads by 7.7% in Cinebench R15 single-core (322 vs 299), 6.8% in Cinebench R20 single-core (2169 vs 2031), 2.5% in Cinebench R23 single-core (2132 vs 2080), and 11.3% in PassMark single-thread (4714 vs 4236).

Q: Which processor is better for multi-threaded workloads?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The i7-14700 wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 5.2% (4061 vs 3850) and Cinebench R23 multicore by 11.7% (28398 vs 25066), but the Ultra 5 wins Cinebench R20 multicore by 6.8% (15368 vs 14388) and PassMark multithread by 6.8% (43047 vs 40318).

Q: What is the largest performance difference between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 5 scores 414 versus 164 for the i7-14700, a 152.4% advantage. The second largest is PassMark integer math, where the i7-14700 leads 154535 to 98524, a 36.2% margin.

Q: How do their overall average scores compare?

A: The Ultra 5 has an average benchmark score of 54053, while the i7-14700 averages 52301. Both are at the 91st percentile among all CPUs. The Ultra 5's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D at 54762, which is 1.3% higher.

Q: Which processor supports more memory types?

A: The i7-14700 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 5 supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses, and both support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-14700 has a higher boost clock at 5.40 GHz, compared to 5.20 GHz for the Ultra 5. However, the Ultra 5 has a significantly higher base clock at 4.20 GHz versus 2.10 GHz for the i7-14700.