Intel Core i9-14900KS vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

The Intel Core i9-14900KS and Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus represent two distinct strategies from Intel. The i9-14900KS is a high-frequency, high-core-count processor from the Raptor Lake generation, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus is a more efficient Arrow Lake Refresh part with a different core topology. Benchmark results show a clear performance hierarchy, but the gap varies dramatically by workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core i9-14900KS dominates the head-to-head benchmark comparison, winning 14 of the 17 recorded tests. Its most commanding victory comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 7199 against the Ultra 5 250K Plus's 2261, a 218.4% advantage. This is the largest delta of any test in the database. The multi-core Cinebench R23 result is also heavily lopsided: 50995 versus 30867, a 65.2% lead for the i9-14900KS.

The single-core supremacy extends to other Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i9-14900KS scores 725 against 328, a 121% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a 16.1% edge, with scores of 3023 versus 2603. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i9-14900KS again leads by 16.1%, scoring 21417 versus 18442. Cinebench R15 multi-core is closer, with the i9-14900KS ahead by 10.8%, scoring 5140 versus 4640.

PassMark tests reveal a more nuanced picture. The i9-14900KS is 41.3% ahead in data compression, scoring 803368 versus 568721. It leads by 70% in integer math, posting 212644 against 125091. Random string sorting shows a 30% advantage for the i9-14900KS, with scores of 89789 versus 69090. Data encryption is closer but still favors the i9-14900KS: 47717 versus 42144, a 13.2% delta. The multithread test shows a 16.3% lead for the i9-14900KS, with 60012 versus 51596. Single-thread performance is nearly identical, with the i9-14900KS ahead by just 1.2%, scoring 4815 versus 4757. Extended instructions are also close, with a 2.2% edge for the i9-14900KS, 45524 versus 44565.

The Ultra 5 250K Plus wins three tests, all in PassMark. Its largest win is in find prime numbers, where it scores 486 against 244, a 49.8% advantage for the Ultra 5. Floating point math favors the Ultra 5 by 5.4%, with scores of 162692 versus 153975. The physics test shows a 3.2% lead for the Ultra 5, scoring 3494 versus 3381.

The average benchmark score confirms the overall hierarchy. The i9-14900KS averages 81127, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon w5-3535X at 81115, the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX at 81103, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 at 80762, and the Intel Xeon 638 at 80723. The Ultra 5 250K Plus averages 66855, in the 93rd percentile. Its nearest rivals are the AMD EPYC 4465P at 66925, the Intel Xeon 6515P at 67006, the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX at 67469, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 66159.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on entirely different foundations. The Core i9-14900KS uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series. It is manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node and has a die size of 257 mm². The Ultra 5 250K Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2. It is built by TSMC on a 3 nm process node and has a die size of 243 mm². The Ultra 5 250K Plus lists 17,800 million transistors, while the i9-14900KS does not list a transistor count.

Core counts differ substantially. The i9-14900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The i9-14900KS therefore supports simultaneous multithreading, and the Ultra 5 250K Plus does not. Cache hierarchies also differ. The i9-14900KS carries 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 250K Plus uses 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache.

Clock speeds show a major divergence. The i9-14900KS has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 6.20 GHz. The Ultra 5 250K Plus has a higher base clock of 4.20 GHz but a lower boost clock of 5.30 GHz. Power figures differ as well: the i9-14900KS is rated at 150 W TDP, and the Ultra 5 250K Plus at 125 W TDP.

Memory support and I/O also separate the two. The i9-14900KS supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 5 250K Plus supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Ultra 5 250K Plus lists a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, while the i9-14900KS does not list a bandwidth figure. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs: the i9-14900KS provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and the Ultra 5 250K Plus provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ. The i9-14900KS uses UHD Graphics 770, and the Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. Both processors have unlocked multipliers. Sockets are incompatible: the i9-14900KS uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851. Release dates are far apart. The i9-14900KS launched on March 13, 2024, and the Ultra 5 250K Plus launched on March 10, 2026.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS has a boost clock of 6.20 GHz, which is higher than the Ultra 5 250K Plus's 5.30 GHz boost clock.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 30 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which chip wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS scores 50995 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 65.2% ahead of the Ultra 5 250K Plus's 30867.

Q: Does the Ultra 5 250K Plus support DDR4 memory?

A: No, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports DDR5 memory only. The Intel Core i9-14900KS supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS has an average benchmark score of 81127, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has an average benchmark score of 66855.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel Core i9-14900KS provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 24 (i9-14900KS) versus 18 (Ultra 5 250K Plus)
• Threads: 32 versus 18
• Base Clock: 3.20 GHz versus 4.20 GHz
• Boost Clock: 6.20 GHz versus 5.30 GHz
• TDP: 150 W versus 125 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel Socket 1851
• Codename: Raptor Lake-R versus Arrow Lake Refresh
• Process Node: 10 nm versus 3 nm
• Foundry: Intel versus TSMC
• Transistors: Not listed versus 17,800 million
• Die Size: 257 mm² versus 243 mm²
• L1 Cache: 80 KB (per core) versus 192 KB (per core)
• L2 Cache: 2 MB (per core) versus 3 MB (per core)
• L3 Cache: 36 MB (shared) versus 30 MB (shared)
• Memory Support: DDR4, DDR5 versus DDR5
• Memory Bandwidth: Not listed versus 115.2 GB/s
• PCIe: Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) versus Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only)
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 770 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU
• Release Date: 2024-03-13 versus 2026-03-10
• Launch MSRP: $689 versus $199
• Part Number: SRN7R versus SA4UZ

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the Intel Core i9-14900KS is the stronger processor in almost every measured category. It wins 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, including all Cinebench workloads and most PassMark workloads. The single-core Cinebench R23 result is decisive: a 218.4% lead over the Ultra 5 250K Plus. Multi-core Cinebench R23 shows a 65.2% advantage. Integer math, data compression, and random string sorting also favor the i9-14900KS by wide margins. Its 96th percentile ranking and 81127 average score place it well above the Ultra 5 250K Plus's 93rd percentile and 66855 average.

The Ultra 5 250K Plus does hold specific advantages. It wins in find prime numbers, floating point math, and physics. It has a higher base clock, a larger L1 and L2 cache per core, more PCIe lanes, higher memory bandwidth, and a more advanced 3 nm process node from TSMC. It also carries a lower TDP of 125 W. These traits make it competitive in specific math and physics workloads, but they do not overcome the i9-14900KS's broader performance lead.

For workloads that depend on high single-thread throughput and large thread counts, the data points squarely to the i9-14900KS. For workloads focused on prime number calculations, floating point math, or physics, the Ultra 5 250K Plus delivers better measured results. The choice depends on which benchmark family matches the intended use case.