Intel Core i9-14900 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has 14 cores and 14 threads. The i9-14900 also has a higher boost clock at 5.80 GHz versus 5.20 GHz for the Ultra 5.

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

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 records an average benchmark score of 58115, which places it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF records 55093, sitting in the 91st percentile. The i9-14900 sits 0.4% behind the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M and 0.5% behind the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, while the Ultra 5 sits 0.6% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D.

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF wins 9 of the 17 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Core i9-14900 wins 8. The Ultra 5 takes the single-core and several instruction-heavy tests, while the i9-14900 dominates multi-core and integer workloads.

Q: What are the key architectural differences between the two?

A: The i9-14900 uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process from Intel, while the Ultra 5 uses Arrow Lake on a 3 nm process from TSMC. The Ultra 5 has a larger L1 cache per core (192 KB vs 80 KB) and L2 cache per core (3 MB vs 2 MB), but the i9-14900 has a larger shared L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Core i9-14900 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF supports DDR5 only. The Ultra 5 also has a specified memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while no such figure is recorded for the i9-14900.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A). The Ultra 5 does have an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i9-14900 does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families and represent distinct design philosophies. The Intel Core i9-14900 belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, built on the Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-R. It uses a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel itself, with a die size of 257 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, built on the Arrow Lake architecture with the codename Arrow Lake-S. It uses a 3 nm process node from TSMC, with a die size of 243 mm² and a transistor count of 17,800 million.

The core configuration differs significantly. The i9-14900 packs 24 cores and 32 threads, indicating hyper-threading support, while the Ultra 5 has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The cache hierarchy also diverges: the i9-14900 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 counters with 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, but only 24 MB of shared L3. This means the Ultra 5 has faster per-core cache access but less total shared cache.

Memory support differs as well. The i9-14900 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, while the Ultra 5 supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the i9-14900 but not on the Ultra 5. PCIe lanes also vary: the i9-14900 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 5 offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

The sockets are incompatible: the i9-14900 uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851. The i9-14900 has integrated UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 5 has no integrated graphics. The Ultra 5 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the i9-14900 does not. Finally, the i9-14900 has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and boost clock of 5.80 GHz, whereas the Ultra 5 has a higher base clock of 4.20 GHz but a lower boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The TDP figures also differ: 65 W for the i9-14900 versus 125 W for the Ultra 5.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split in intended usage. For heavily threaded workloads, the Intel Core i9-14900 is the stronger choice. Its 24 cores and 32 threads deliver a 29.8% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core, a 3.4% win in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and a 77% win in PassMark integer math. It also leads in data compression by 19.6%, multithread by 3.4%, and random string sorting by 10.6%.

For single-threaded and instruction-heavy tasks, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF is the better pick. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 15.2% and single-core by 57.2%, along with Cinebench R15 single-core by 39.5%. It also leads in extended instructions by 19.2%, find prime numbers by 54.8%, floating point math by 8.6%, physics by 17.1%, and PassMark single-thread by 8.3%.

Users who need maximum multi-core throughput, especially for rendering, compilation, or data processing, should look to the i9-14900. Users who prioritize single-core responsiveness, scientific computation, or instruction-heavy workloads should consider the Ultra 5 245KF. The i9-14900 also offers integrated graphics and ECC support, which may matter for certain workstation setups. The Ultra 5 counters with an unlocked multiplier and a newer 3 nm process.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-14900 | Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF |

|---|---|---|

| Series | Core 14th Gen | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Cores | 24 | 14 |

| Threads | 32 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.80 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Arrow Lake-S |

| Generation | Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh) | Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache (per core) | 80 KB | 192 KB |

| L2 Cache (per core) | 2 MB | 3 MB |

| L3 Cache (shared) | 36 MB | 24 MB |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | N/A |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2024-10-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $549 | $294 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results reveal a pattern that depends heavily on the workload type. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Core i9-14900 scores 4793 against 3693 for the Ultra 5, a 29.8% advantage. The gap narrows in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i9-14900 leads 15910 to 15391, a 3.4% margin. However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra 5 reverses the trend with a score of 36647 versus 31070, a 15.2% win for the newer chip.

Single-core performance is decisively in favor of the Ultra 5. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ultra 5 scores 521 against 315, a 39.5% advantage. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i9-14900 edges ahead 2245 to 2172, a 3.4% margin, but Cinebench R23 single-core shows the Ultra 5 winning 5173 to 2212, a massive 57.2% lead. PassMark single-thread also favors the Ultra 5, 4715 to 4323, an 8.3% difference.

In PassMark workloads, the i9-14900 takes integer math by a wide margin: 175010 to 98854, a 77% lead. It also wins data compression 550271 to 460123 (19.6%), data encryption 33540 to 33381 (0.5%), multithread 44578 to 43110 (3.4%), and random string sorting 61060 to 55206 (10.6%). The Ultra 5 responds with wins in extended instructions 37912 to 30624 (19.2%), find prime numbers 416 to 188 (54.8%), floating point math 131546 to 120262 (8.6%), and physics 2998 to 2486 (17.1%).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14900 wins in scenarios that demand raw multi-core parallelism. It leads in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core, plus PassMark multithread, integer math, data compression, data encryption, and random string sorting. These results indicate strength in video rendering, code compilation, database operations, and any workload that scales with many threads. The 24-core, 32-thread configuration gives it a clear edge in these areas, as does the larger 36 MB L3 cache.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF wins in single-core and instruction-specific tasks. It dominates Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core, along with PassMark single-thread, extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating point math, and physics. It also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is notable given its lower thread count. The higher base clock of 4.20 GHz and the larger per-core L1 and L2 caches likely contribute to these wins. The 3 nm process from TSMC may also play a role in efficiency and per-core performance.

For users who run a mix of workloads, the choice depends on which category carries more weight. The i9-14900 offers more total threads, ECC support, and integrated graphics, making it suitable for workstation builds that need reliability and display output without a discrete GPU. The Ultra 5 offers an unlocked multiplier, a newer socket, and higher memory bandwidth, making it attractive for overclockers and users on the latest platform. The recorded data shows 8 wins for the i9-14900 and 9 wins for the Ultra 5, so the overall tally is close, but the margin of victory in each processor's strongest tests is substantial.