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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear overall winner in the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, which takes 16 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons. The Core i7-14700F manages only a single win. The most striking result is in PassMark integer math, where the i7-14700F scores 155808 against the Ultra 5's 123030, a 26.6% advantage. This is the largest margin for either processor in any test.

Across the Cinebench suite, the Ultra 5 250KF Plus dominates consistently. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra 5 scores 42718 versus 35122 for the i7-14700F, a 17.8% gap. The same 17.8% delta appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, with scores of 6030 and 4958 respectively. This identical percentage across all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23, both single and multi-core) indicates a uniform performance advantage that scales with clock-for-clock efficiency rather than core count.

The single-core advantage carries into PassMark single-thread testing, where the Ultra 5 posts 4698 versus 4257 for the i7-14700F, a 9.4% lead. Multi-threaded PassMark shows the Ultra 5 ahead by 17.6%, scoring 50146 against 41317. The data compression test shows a narrower margin, with the Ultra 5 at 553155 versus 505885, an 8.5% win.

Some of the most dramatic differences appear in specialized workloads. The Ultra 5 leads by 33.4% in extended instructions (42880 versus 28564) and by 33% in floating-point math (159824 versus 107005). The prime number search test shows the largest relative gap: the Ultra 5 scores 452 versus 176 for the i7-14700F, a 61.1% advantage. Data encryption also favors the Ultra 5 significantly, with 41292 versus 30144, a 27% lead. Physics simulation shows a 22.9% gap (3183 versus 2455), and random string sorting shows a 16.8% edge (67209 versus 55918).

Where Each One Wins

The Core i7-14700F's only victory is in PassMark integer math, where its 155808 score exceeds the Ultra 5's 123030. This suggests the i7-14700F has particular strength in workloads that rely heavily on integer arithmetic operations, such as certain types of database queries, compression algorithms, and legacy software compiled for x86 integer pipelines. The 26.6% margin is substantial and indicates this is not a marginal win but a genuine strength.

Every other benchmark category favors the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. The Cinebench results, both single and multi-core, point to superior rendering performance across all three Cinebench versions. The consistent 17.8% delta suggests the Ultra 5's architecture executes these workloads more efficiently per clock. For users running Blender, video encoding, or 3D scene renders that use Cinebench-like workloads, the data shows a decisive advantage.

The Ultra 5 also wins in encryption and extended instruction workloads, which matter for security applications, cryptographic operations, and modern SIMD-heavy code. Its 33% lead in floating-point math indicates stronger performance in scientific computing, physics simulations, and financial modeling. The 61.1% advantage in prime number searching is particularly notable for number theory applications and certain research workloads.

Physics simulation results (3183 versus 2455) suggest the Ultra 5 handles game physics and rigid body calculations better. The single-thread score advantage (4698 versus 4257) means general desktop responsiveness, web browsing, and lightly threaded applications will perform better on the Ultra 5. The multithread score (50146 versus 41317) confirms the Ultra 5 handles heavily threaded workloads despite having fewer cores and threads (18 cores, 18 threads versus 20 cores, 28 threads).

The Verdict

The benchmark data directs most buyers toward the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. The database places the Ultra 5 in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-14700F sits in the 91st percentile. The Ultra 5's average benchmark score is 66159, compared to 53620 for the i7-14700F, a 23.4% overall advantage.

The Ultra 5 also has a more favorable position among its nearest rivals. Its closest competitor is the Intel Core 9 273PQE at 66099 (0.1% difference), followed by the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D at 65914 (0.4% ahead for the Ultra 5) and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus at 66855 (1% behind the 250KF Plus). The i7-14700F, by contrast, sits near the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X at 53288 (0.6% ahead) and the AMD EPYC 7313P at 53206 (0.8% ahead), with the Intel Xeon 6505P at 53701 (0.2% ahead) and the Intel Xeon Phi 7290 at 53469 (0.3% behind).

The i7-14700F makes sense only for workloads specifically dominated by integer math, where its 26.6% lead represents a real advantage. For all other measured scenarios, the Ultra 5 250KF Plus delivers higher scores. The Ultra 5's launch MSRP is $184, while the i7-14700F's launch MSRP is $359, though pricing considerations are separate from the performance data. The Ultra 5 also offers an unlocked multiplier, allowing user overclocking, whereas the i7-14700F is locked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor scores higher in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 42718 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 17.8% higher than the Intel Core i7-14700F's 35122.

Q: Does the Core i7-14700F win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the i7-14700F wins PassMark integer math with a score of 155808, beating the Ultra 5 250KF Plus's 123030 by 26.6%.

Q: How do the single-thread scores compare?

A: The Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 4698 in PassMark single-thread and 6030 in Cinebench R23 single-core. The i7-14700F scores 4257 and 4958 respectively, giving the Ultra 5 a 9.4% lead in PassMark and 17.8% in Cinebench.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 452 versus 176 for the i7-14700F, a 61.1% difference.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

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

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Ultra 5 250KF Plus has an average benchmark score of 66159, while the i7-14700F averages 53620. The Ultra 5 sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, the i7-14700F in the 91st.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The Core i7-14700F uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture (codename Arrow Lake) manufactured by TSMC on a 3 nm process with 17,800 million transistors and a 243 mm² die size.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The i7-14700F has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 has more per-core L1 and L2 cache, while the i7-14700F has slightly more shared L3.

The i7-14700F uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, while the Ultra 5 250KF Plus requires the newer Intel Socket 1851. The Ultra 5 offers more PCIe lanes: Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, compared to Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the i7-14700F. Both support ECC memory. The i7-14700F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, while the Ultra 5 supports only DDR5, with a specified memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s.

The Ultra 5 250KF Plus has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking; the i7-14700F does not. The Ultra 5's base clock is 4.20 GHz with a 5.30 GHz boost, while the i7-14700F has a 2.10 GHz base and 5.40 GHz boost. Neither processor includes integrated graphics. The i7-14700F was released on 2024-01-07, while the Ultra 5 250KF Plus has a release date of 2026-03-10.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core configuration, clock speeds, power, and platform requirements. The Core i7-14700F offers 20 cores and 28 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus offers 18 cores and 18 threads. The i7-14700F has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz; the Ultra 5 has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz.

Thermal design power differs substantially: the i7-14700F is rated at 65 W, while the Ultra 5 250KF Plus is rated at 125 W. The i7-14700F uses Intel Socket 1700; the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851. Memory support differs, with the i7-14700F accepting both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 accepts only DDR5. Both support dual-channel memory and ECC.

The Ultra 5 250KF Plus has an unlocked multiplier; the i7-14700F is locked. The i7-14700F has a die size of 257 mm², while the Ultra 5 measures 243 mm². The i7-14700F's process node is Intel's 10 nm; the Ultra 5 uses TSMC's 3 nm process. The i7-14700F's part number is SRN3Z; the Ultra 5's is SA4V3. The Ultra 5 provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-14700F provides 16 lanes.