Intel Core i9-14900KS vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285 Comparison

The Intel Core i9-14900KS and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 are both 24-core desktop processors from Intel, but the benchmark data shows two distinctly different performance profiles. The i9-14900KS wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Core Ultra 9 285 takes 5. The decisive factor is workload type: the i9-14900KS dominates in compression, integer math, and rendering, while the Core Ultra 9 285 counters in prime number finding, floating point math, physics, and single-threaded PassMark tests. The average benchmark score of 81,127 for the i9-14900KS places it at the 96th percentile of all CPUs, whereas the Core Ultra 9 285 averages 75,488, putting it at the 95th percentile. This is a close pairing overall, but the specific application determines the winner.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14900KS is the clear winner for multi-threaded productivity and content creation. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 50,995 against 48,945 for the Core Ultra 9 285, a 4.2% advantage. That same 4.2% delta repeats across every Cinebench test in the database, including R15 and R20 in both single-core and multi-core runs. The i9-14900KS also leads heavily in PassMark integer math with 212,644 versus 164,869, a 29% margin, and in PassMark multithread with 60,012 versus 56,602, a 6% edge. The largest win for the i9-14900KS is in data compression, where it scores 803,368 compared to 602,121, a 33.4% advantage. Random string sorting also favors the i9-14900KS by 21.9%, with scores of 89,789 and 73,651.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins where efficiency and specific instruction throughput matter. Its most dramatic victory is in PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 459 against 244 for the i9-14900KS, a 46.8% lead. It also wins floating point math with 194,988 versus 153,975, a 21% advantage, and physics with 3,598 against 3,381, a 6% edge. In single-threaded PassMark tests, the Core Ultra 9 285 scores 4,881 versus 4,815, a 1.4% win, which appears in both the single_thread and singlethread entries. The Core Ultra 9 285 also holds a narrow win in data encryption, 46,949 against 47,717? No, the i9-14900KS wins that one by 1.6%. The Core Ultra 9 285 wins extended instructions by a slim margin? No, the i9-14900KS leads there by 0.4%. The Core Ultra 9 285's wins are concentrated in arithmetic and physics workloads, while the i9-14900KS dominates memory-heavy and integer-heavy tasks.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i9-14900KS is the better choice for users running rendering suites, compression tools, and integer-heavy workloads. It outperforms the Core Ultra 9 285 in every Cinebench test recorded, with a consistent 4.2% margin, and its 33.4% lead in data compression is substantial for archiving and database workloads. The i9-14900KS also delivers 29% higher integer math performance, which benefits compilation and general productivity tasks. With a launch MSRP of $689 and an unlocked multiplier, it offers overclocking flexibility. Its 150 W TDP reflects the higher power draw needed for that performance.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is the better option for floating point computation, prime number generation, and physics simulation. Its 46.8% lead in find prime numbers and 21% advantage in floating point math are significant for scientific computing and simulation workloads. The 1.4% single-thread PassMark win suggests slightly better efficiency in lightly threaded tasks, despite a lower 5.60 GHz boost clock versus 6.20 GHz for the i9-14900KS. The Core Ultra 9 285 has a launch MSRP of $579, a locked multiplier, and a 65 W TDP, making it the more power-conscious design. It also uses the newer Intel Socket 1851 platform with 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, compared to 16 lanes for the i9-14900KS on Socket 1700. Users prioritizing power efficiency, floating point throughput, and platform longevity should select the Core Ultra 9 285, while those needing maximum integer and multi-threaded rendering performance should choose the i9-14900KS.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the entire comparison belongs to the Core Ultra 9 285 in PassMark find prime numbers. It scores 459 against 244, a 46.8% advantage, which is the clearest demonstration of its arithmetic strength. The next largest win is for the i9-14900KS in data compression, with 803,368 versus 602,121, a 33.4% lead. These two results define the opposite ends of the performance spectrum for these processors.

In integer math, the i9-14900KS scores 212,644 against 164,869, a 29% advantage. This is the second-largest margin for the i9-14900KS and highlights a core strength in general-purpose integer processing. Random string sorting follows with a 21.9% lead for the i9-14900KS, 89,789 versus 73,651. The i9-14900KS also takes PassMark multithread by 6%, 60,012 to 56,602, and data encryption by 1.6%, 47,717 to 46,949. Extended instructions go to the i9-14900KS by 0.4%, 45,524 to 45,357, the narrowest win in the comparison.

The Core Ultra 9 285 counters with a 21% win in floating point math, 194,988 versus 153,975. It also wins physics by 6%, 3,598 to 3,381, and single-thread PassMark by 1.4%, 4,881 to 4,815. The Cinebench suite shows a uniform 4.2% advantage for the i9-14900KS across all six tests: R15 multi-core 5,140 to 4,933, R15 single-core 725 to 696, R20 multi-core 21,417 to 20,556, R20 single-core 3,023 to 2,901, R23 multi-core 50,995 to 48,945, and R23 single-core 7,199 to 6,909. The data shows no Cinebench test where the Core Ultra 9 285 overtakes the i9-14900KS.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS has an average benchmark score of 81,127, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 averages 75,488. The i9-14900KS also ranks at the 96th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 95th percentile for the Core Ultra 9 285.

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

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9-14900KS scores 50,995 and the Core Ultra 9 285 scores 48,945, a 4.2% lead for the i9-14900KS. In single-core, the i9-14900KS scores 7,199 and the Core Ultra 9 285 scores 6,909, also a 4.2% lead.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The Core Ultra 9 285 wins PassMark find prime numbers by 46.8%, scoring 459 versus 244 for the i9-14900KS. The largest i9-14900KS margin is 33.4% in data compression, 803,368 versus 602,121.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 9 285 win any multi-core tests?

A: No. The Core Ultra 9 285 does not win any multi-core benchmark in the recorded data. Its wins are in find prime numbers, floating point math, physics, and both single-thread PassMark entries.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The i9-14900KS has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 6.20 GHz. The Core Ultra 9 285 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz.

Q: How do the power requirements differ?

A: The i9-14900KS has a TDP of 150 W, while the Core Ultra 9 285 has a TDP of 65 W. The Core Ultra 9 285 draws significantly less power according to the specified TDP values.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different architectures. The i9-14900KS is based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series. It is built on a 10 nm process node by Intel with a die size of 257 mm². The Core Ultra 9 285 uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-S codename, part of Core Ultra Series 2. It is manufactured by TSMC on a 3 nm process node with a die size of 243 mm² and contains 17,800 million transistors.

The core configurations differ in threading. Both have 24 cores, but the i9-14900KS supports 32 threads while the Core Ultra 9 285 supports 24 threads, meaning the i9-14900KS uses Hyper-Threading technology and the Core Ultra 9 285 does not. Cache structures also differ. The i9-14900KS has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Core Ultra 9 285 has 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 3 MB of L2 cache per core. Both share 36 MB of L3 cache.

Memory support diverges. The i9-14900KS supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Core Ultra 9 285 supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but with a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. Both processors support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs, with the i9-14900KS offering 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU and the Core Ultra 9 285 offering 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: the i9-14900KS uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 9 285 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The i9-14900KS has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core Ultra 9 285 is locked. The i9-14900KS was released on 2024-03-13 and the Core Ultra 9 285 on 2024-12-31.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences are as follows. The i9-14900KS supports 32 threads versus 24 threads for the Core Ultra 9 285, despite both having 24 cores. Base clocks are 3.20 GHz for the i9-14900KS and 2.50 GHz for the Core Ultra 9 285. Boost clocks are 6.20 GHz and 5.60 GHz, respectively. TDP is 150 W for the i9-14900KS and 65 W for the Core Ultra 9 285. The i9-14900KS uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 9 285 uses Intel Socket 1851. The process node is 10 nm for the i9-14900KS and 3 nm for the Core Ultra 9 285, with the latter made by TSMC. Die size is 257 mm² for the i9-14900KS and 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 9 285. L1 cache is 80 KB per core versus 192 KB per core, and L2 cache is 2 MB per core versus 3 MB per core. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 for the i9-14900KS, and DDR5 only for the Core Ultra 9 285. The Core Ultra 9 285 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is recorded for the i9-14900KS. PCIe lanes are 16 for the i9-14900KS and 20 for the Core Ultra 9 285. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The multiplier is unlocked on the i9-14900KS and locked on the Core Ultra 9 285. Launch MSRP is $689 for the i9-14900KS and $579 for the Core Ultra 9 285. Part numbers are SRN7R for the i9-14900KS and SRQD4 for the Core Ultra 9 285.