Intel Core i9-14900 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall advantage for the Intel Core i9-14900, which wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The largest single margin appears in PassMark integer math, where the i9-14900 scores 175010 against the Core Ultra 5 338H's 64934, a delta of 169.5%. This reflects the desktop processor's substantially higher core count and thread count in compute-heavy integer workloads.

Cinebench results follow a similar pattern. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9-14900 records 31070 points versus 16331 for the Core Ultra 5 338H, a 90.3% advantage. The R15 multi-core test shows a 91.4% delta, with scores of 4793 and 2504 respectively. The R20 multi-core result is 15910 against 10213, a 55.8% lead. These consistent multi-core wins across all three Cinebench versions indicate that the i9-14900's additional cores and higher boost clock translate directly into sustained rendering performance.

Single-core comparisons are closer but still favor the i9-14900. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i9-14900 scores 2212 versus 2044 for the Core Ultra 5 338H, an 8.2% delta. The R15 single-core test shows a narrower 3.3% margin, with 315 points against 305. PassMark single-thread results show a 3.4% delta, with 4323 versus 4180. The R20 single-core test is the outlier, showing a 55.8% delta in favor of the i9-14900, with 2245 points against 1441. This larger delta in R20 single-core suggests that the i9-14900's higher boost clock of 5.80 GHz provides a more pronounced benefit in that specific workload.

The Core Ultra 5 338H secures two wins. In PassMark find prime numbers, it scores 304 against the i9-14900's 188, a delta of -38.2% from the perspective of the i9-14900. This indicates that the Ultra 5's architecture handles prime number calculation more efficiently per clock. The other win is in PassMark physics, where the Ultra 5 scores 2697 against 2486, a -7.8% delta. Physics simulation workloads appear to favor the newer Panther Lake architecture.

Data compression shows a near doubling in favor of the i9-14900. The score of 550271 versus 276539 represents a 99% delta. Data encryption follows with a 57% delta, 33540 against 21367. Floating point math shows a 43.1% delta, with 120262 versus 84067. Random string sorting shows a 79.2% delta, 61060 against 34082. Extended instructions show a 28.1% delta, 30624 against 23906. The multi-thread PassMark score is 44578 versus 28717, a 55.2% delta.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages and target different market segments. The Intel Core i9-14900 belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, and is built on a 10 nm process node by Intel. It is a desktop part designed for Intel Socket 1700. The Core Ultra 5 338H belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3, uses the Panther Lake architecture with the Panther Lake codename, and is built on a 3 nm process node, also by Intel. It is a mobile part designed for Intel BGA 2540.

Core counts differ substantially. The i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. The i9-14900 supports simultaneous multithreading, as evidenced by its thread count exceeding its core count. The Ultra 5 338H has equal core and thread counts, indicating no multithreading support. The i9-14900's base clock is 2.00 GHz with a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. The Ultra 5 338H has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Cache hierarchies differ in both size and distribution. The i9-14900 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 338H has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches on the Ultra 5 338H may contribute to its efficiency in prime number and physics workloads, while the i9-14900's larger total L3 cache benefits multi-core throughput.

Memory support differs by platform. The i9-14900 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with ECC memory support. The Ultra 5 338H supports LPDDR5X memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, and does not support ECC memory. The i9-14900 has no recorded memory bandwidth figure in the database.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The i9-14900 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Ultra 5 338H provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i9-14900 uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 5 338H uses Arc B370.

Power characteristics are not directly comparable due to different measurement bases, but the i9-14900 has a TDP of 65, while the Ultra 5 338H has a TDP of 25. The release dates place the i9-14900 in January 2024 and the Ultra 5 338H in January 2026. The i9-14900 has a launch MSRP of $549. The Ultra 5 338H has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors are currently active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The average benchmark score in the database is 58115 for the i9-14900 and 33989 for the Ultra 5 338H. The i9-14900 sits at the 92nd percentile among all CPUs, while the Ultra 5 338H sits at the 84th percentile. The nearest rivals for the i9-14900 are the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M with an average score of 58323 and a delta of -0.4%, the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D at 58386 with a delta of -0.5%, the Intel Xeon w5-2545 at 58504 with a delta of -0.7%, and the AMD EPYC 9015 at 57555 with a delta of 1%. The nearest rivals for the Ultra 5 338H are the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H at 34083 with a delta of -0.3%, the Intel Core i7-12800HX at 33875 with a delta of 0.3%, the Intel Xeon 6353P at 33844 with a delta of 0.4%, and the AMD EPYC 4244P at 34220 with a delta of -0.7%.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear separation by use case. The Intel Core i9-14900 is the stronger processor for multi-threaded desktop workloads. Its 90.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 169.5% lead in integer math indicate that rendering, compilation, and general compute tasks will complete substantially faster. The 24-core, 32-thread configuration with a 5.80 GHz boost clock positions it well for sustained heavy workloads. The 92nd percentile standing among all CPUs confirms its high overall performance ranking.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the more efficient mobile processor. Its smaller core count, lower TDP of 25, and 3 nm process node make it suitable for battery-conscious portable systems. The data shows targeted strengths in prime number calculation and physics simulation, where it outperforms the i9-14900 despite having fewer cores. Its 84th percentile ranking still places it above most CPUs in the database, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H and Intel Core i7-12800HX, indicating competitive positioning within the mobile and compact desktop segments.

The choice between these two processors depends on the platform and workload priorities. The i9-14900 is a desktop processor for Socket 1700 with DDR4 or DDR5 support and 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Ultra 5 338H is a mobile processor for BGA 2540 with LPDDR5X support and 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The i9-14900 wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, but the two tests it loses point to architectural strengths in the Panther Lake design that may matter for specific applications.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i9-14900 scores 2212 versus 2044 for the Ultra 5 338H, an 8.2% delta. PassMark single-thread shows 4323 versus 4180, a 3.4% delta.

Q: In which tests does the Core Ultra 5 338H beat the i9-14900?

A: The Ultra 5 338H wins PassMark find prime numbers with 304 versus 188, and PassMark physics with 2697 versus 2486.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The i9-14900 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with ECC support. The Ultra 5 338H supports LPDDR5X memory without ECC support, with a recorded bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The i9-14900 uses a 10 nm process node. The Ultra 5 338H uses a 3 nm process node. Both are fabricated by Intel.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i9-14900 has an average benchmark score of 58115, ranking at the 92nd percentile. The Ultra 5 338H has an average score of 33989, ranking at the 84th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14900 wins in every Cinebench test, all PassMark data processing tests, and the PassMark multi-thread and single-thread tests. For multi-core rendering, the R23 score of 31070 versus 16331 represents a 90.3% advantage. For integer math, the 175010 versus 64934 result is the largest margin in the dataset. Data compression at 550271 versus 276539 shows a 99% delta. Data encryption at 33540 versus 21367 shows a 57% delta. Extended instructions at 30624 versus 23906 shows a 28.1% delta. Floating point math at 120262 versus 84067 shows a 43.1% delta. Random string sorting at 61060 versus 34082 shows a 79.2% delta. PassMark multi-thread at 44578 versus 28717 shows a 55.2% delta. The single-thread PassMark score of 4323 versus 4180 shows a 3.4% delta. These wins span both multi-core and single-core workloads, making the i9-14900 the general-purpose performance leader in this comparison.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins in PassMark find prime numbers and PassMark physics. The prime number score of 304 versus 188 indicates that the Panther Lake architecture's per-core efficiency, with 192 KB L1 cache per core and 2.5 MB L2 cache per core, handles algorithmic prime detection more effectively. The physics score of 2697 versus 2486 suggests that the newer architecture processes physics simulation math with better efficiency despite lower clock speeds. These two wins point toward workloads that benefit from the Ultra 5 338H's cache structure and 3 nm process node rather than raw core count.

The i9-14900's 36 MB of shared L3 cache versus the Ultra 5 338H's 18 MB contributes to its multi-core wins, as does its 5.80 GHz boost clock versus 4.70 GHz. The Ultra 5 338H's per-core L1 cache is larger at 192 KB versus 80 KB, and its per-core L2 cache is larger at 2.5 MB versus 2 MB, which may explain its targeted wins. The i9-14900 supports ECC memory and DDR4/DDR5, making it suitable for workstation and server-adjacent desktop builds. The Ultra 5 338H supports LPDDR5X with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth and includes Arc B370 integrated graphics, making it suited for mobile systems where power efficiency and compact integration matter. The data shows a desktop processor that dominates most benchmarks and a mobile processor that wins specific efficiency-sensitive tests.