Intel Core i7-14700F vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits these two desktop processors into distinct roles. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins 13 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, including every Passmark workload except integer math. The Intel Core i7-14700F wins 4 tests, and those wins are concentrated in Cinebench single-core and multi-core runs plus Passmark integer math. The average benchmark score favors the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus by a wide margin: 66855 versus 53620, a difference of roughly 24.7%. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus also sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core i7-14700F sits in the 91st percentile.

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the processor for mixed workloads, encryption, compression, and floating-point tasks. It delivers 42144 in Passmark data encryption versus 30144 for the i7-14700F, a 28.5% gap. It also leads in Passmark multithread with 51596 versus 41317. The i7-14700F is the pick for integer-heavy work and for the Cinebench R23 suite, where it posts 35122 multi-core and 4958 single-core. The i7-14700F also holds a massive 119.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core, a result that suggests the Ultra 5's single-core score of 2261 is an outlier relative to its other single-thread results.

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has the higher percentile ranking, the higher average score, and the newer production process. The i7-14700F has the lower launch MSRP of $359 versus $199 for the Ultra 5, but pricing beyond that single stated figure is not part of the recorded data. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the stronger overall performer in this comparison, while the i7-14700F remains competitive in specific integer and Cinebench R23 scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus records an average benchmark score of 66855, which is 24.7% higher than the Intel Core i7-14700F's 53620.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700F wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 35122 points versus 30867 for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, a 13.8% advantage.

Q: Which processor wins Passmark data encryption?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins Passmark data encryption with 42144 points, beating the i7-14700F's 30144 by 28.5%.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700F has 20 cores and 28 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700F has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, slightly higher than the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus's 5.30 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-14700F and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus support ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design families and foundry processes. The Intel Core i7-14700F is built on the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, part of the Core 14th Gen series. It uses a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 with the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, built on a 3 nm process node manufactured by TSMC. The Ultra 5 has 17,800 million transistors on a die of 243 mm², while the i7-14700F's transistor count is not recorded and its die measures 257 mm².

Cache organization differs substantially. The i7-14700F uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 has more L1 and L2 per core but less L3 overall.

Memory support is another differentiator. The i7-14700F supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the Ultra 5 records a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, while the i7-14700F's memory bandwidth is not listed. PCIe lane counts also differ: the i7-14700F provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, and the Ultra 5 provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics separate the two as well. The i7-14700F has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The i7-14700F uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851. The Ultra 5's multiplier is unlocked, whereas the i7-14700F's multiplier is locked.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several direct differences. Core count: 20 for the i7-14700F versus 18 for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. Thread count: 28 versus 18. Base clock: 2.10 GHz for the i7-14700F versus 4.20 GHz for the Ultra 5. Boost clock: 5.40 GHz versus 5.30 GHz. TDP: 65 W versus 125 W. Process node: 10 nm versus 3 nm. Foundry: Intel versus TSMC. Die size: 257 mm² versus 243 mm². Transistors: not recorded for the i7-14700F versus 17,800 million for the Ultra 5.

Cache values differ as listed: L1 per core 80 KB versus 192 KB, L2 per core 2 MB versus 3 MB, L3 shared 33 MB versus 30 MB. Memory support: DDR4 and DDR5 versus DDR5 only. Memory bandwidth: not recorded versus 115.2 GB/s. PCIe: Gen 5 with 16 lanes versus Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics: N/A versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. Socket: 1700 versus 1851. Multiplier: locked versus unlocked. Release dates: 2024-01-07 for the i7-14700F versus 2026-03-10 for the Ultra 5. Launch MSRP: $359 for the i7-14700F versus $199 for the Ultra 5. Both support ECC memory and both are desktop parts with active production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are split between the two processors in an unusual pattern. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 4640 versus 3540, a 23.7% margin. It also wins Cinebench R20 multi-core with 18442 versus 14751, a 20% margin. The i7-14700F takes Cinebench R23 multi-core with 35122 versus 30867, a 13.8% margin. In single-core Cinebench, the i7-14700F wins R15 with 499 versus 328, a 52.1% margin, and R23 with 4958 versus 2261, a 119.3% margin. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins R20 single-core with 2603 versus 2082, a 20% margin. The R23 single-core result for the Ultra 5 is the largest single discrepancy in the data set, and it runs counter to its R20 single-core win.

Passmark results favor the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus in 7 of 8 recorded workloads. It wins data compression 568721 versus 505885, an 11% margin. It wins data encryption 42144 versus 30144, a 28.5% margin. It wins extended instructions 44565 versus 28564, a 35.9% margin. It wins find prime numbers 486 versus 176, a 63.8% margin. It wins floating point math 162692 versus 107005, a 34.2% margin. It wins multithread 51596 versus 41317, a 19.9% margin. It wins physics 3494 versus 2455, a 29.7% margin. It wins random string sorting 69090 versus 55918, a 19.1% margin. It wins single-thread 4757 versus 4257, a 10.5% margin. The i7-14700F wins Passmark integer math with 155808 versus 125091, a 24.6% margin.

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus holds a decisive lead in the overall win count, 13 wins to 4. The average score gap of 24.7% in favor of the Ultra 5 reflects those Passmark victories. The i7-14700F's wins are concentrated in the Cinebench R23 suite and integer math, which are meaningful for those specific workloads but do not offset the Ultra 5's broader dominance.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins in the majority of recorded workloads, and the margin of victory is often large. Its best relative performance comes in Passmark find prime numbers, where it beats the i7-14700F by 63.8%. It also shows strong leads in extended instructions at 35.9%, floating point math at 34.2%, and physics at 29.7%. These results indicate a processor that handles computation-heavy, parallel, and floating-point tasks well. The data encryption win of 28.5% and the multithread win of 19.9% reinforce the picture of a CPU that excels in throughput-oriented work. The Ultra 5 also wins the Passmark single-thread test by 10.5%, which supports its overall average score advantage.

The i7-14700F wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core, plus Cinebench R15 single-core and Passmark integer math. Its Cinebench R23 single-core win of 119.3% is the largest margin recorded in either direction, and its R15 single-core win of 52.1% is also substantial. The integer math win of 24.6% shows that the i7-14700F retains an edge in integer-heavy workloads. These wins are fewer in number but significant in magnitude for users running those specific benchmarks.

The percentile data aligns with the head-to-head results. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus ranks in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, above the i7-14700F's 91st percentile. The Ultra 5's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4465P at a 0.1% higher average score, the Intel Xeon 6515P at 0.2% higher, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX at 0.9% higher. The i7-14700F's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon 6505P at 0.2% lower, the Intel Xeon Phi 7290 at 0.3% higher, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X at 0.6% higher. The database places the Ultra 5 in a slightly higher performance tier, and the head-to-head benchmark totals confirm that placement.