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

The Intel Core i9-14900T and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF are both active desktop processors from Intel, but they occupy opposite ends of the power and architecture spectrum. Their average benchmark scores are remarkably close: the i9-14900T averages 55,778 points across all tests, while the Ultra 5 245KF averages 55,421 points, a difference of just 0.6% in favor of the i9. Both land in the 94th percentile of all CPUs. Yet that near-parity in overall average masks a deep split in workload-specific results, with the i9 winning only 2 of 17 head-to-head tests and the Ultra taking 15.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-14900T claims victory in exactly two head-to-head benchmarks, and both are narrow or extreme in opposite ways. Its clearest win is in Passmark integer math, where it scores 144,857 against the Ultra's 98,936 — a massive 46.4% advantage. This indicates a strong lead for workloads that rely heavily on integer arithmetic, such as certain database operations, legacy software, and integer-heavy scientific computation. The i9 also wins Passmark data compression, scoring 485,883 versus 463,378, a 4.9% edge. For archiving, file compression, and similar tasks, the i9-14900T is the better choice.

The Ultra 5 245KF dominates everywhere else. It sweeps all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core), winning each by a uniform 9.9% margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 36,908 versus the i9's 33,264; in single-core, 5,210 versus 4,696. Beyond rendering, the Ultra wins Passmark floating point math (132,037 vs 97,406, a 26.2% margin), extended instructions (38,020 vs 25,639, a 32.6% margin), and find prime numbers (415 vs 181, a 56.4% margin). It also takes Passmark multithread (43,422 vs 39,707), physics (3,105 vs 2,591), data encryption (33,641 vs 30,305), random string sorting (55,709 vs 55,594, a slim 0.2% margin), and single-thread performance (4,717 vs 4,165, an 11.7% margin). For any user who prioritizes rendering, floating-point workloads, or general single-threaded responsiveness, the Ultra 5 245KF is the clear winner.

Architecture Differences

The two chips are built on fundamentally different foundations. The i9-14900T uses Intel's 10 nm process node and is manufactured by Intel itself, with a die size of 257 mm². The Ultra 5 245KF uses a 3 nm node fabricated by TSMC, with a smaller die at 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors (the i9's transistor count is not listed). The core configurations diverge sharply: the i9 packs 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Ultra has 14 cores and 14 threads — the Ultra lacks hyper-threading entirely.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The i9 has 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, with a shared 36 MB L3 cache. The Ultra has larger per-core caches: 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2, but a smaller shared L3 at 24 MB. Memory support is another split: the i9 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, while the Ultra supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, with a listed memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s (the i9's bandwidth is not provided). The i9 supports ECC memory; the Ultra does not.

The i9 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Ultra has no integrated graphics at all. The i9 uses Intel Socket 1700 and provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes; the Ultra uses Socket 1851 and provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The i9's base clock is 1100 MHz with a 5.50 GHz boost, while the Ultra runs at a 4.20 GHz base and 5.20 GHz boost. TDP is a major differentiator: the i9 is rated at 35W, the Ultra at 125W. The i9 has a locked multiplier; the Ultra's multiplier is unlocked. Release dates also differ, with the i9 launching on 2024-01-07 and the Ultra on 2024-10-23.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The i9-14900T has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Ultra 5 245KF has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Q: Does the Ultra 5 245KF support DDR4 memory?

A: No. The Ultra 5 245KF supports only DDR5, whereas the i9-14900T supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Ultra 5 245KF scores 5,210, compared to the i9-14900T's 4,696 — a 9.9% advantage for the Ultra.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The i9-14900T includes UHD Graphics 770; the Ultra 5 245KF has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The i9-14900T averages 55,778, and the Ultra 5 245KF averages 55,421, a difference of 0.6% in favor of the i9.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The Ultra 5 245KF has an unlocked multiplier, while the i9-14900T does not.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 24 (i9) vs 14 (Ultra)
• Threads: 32 vs 14
• Base clock: 1100 MHz vs 4.20 GHz
• Boost clock: 5.50 GHz vs 5.20 GHz
• TDP: 35W vs 125W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700 vs Intel Socket 1851
• Process node: 10 nm vs 3 nm
• Foundry: Intel vs TSMC
• Die size: 257 mm² vs 243 mm²
• L1 cache (per core): 80 KB vs 192 KB
• L2 cache (per core): 2 MB vs 3 MB
• L3 cache (shared): 36 MB vs 24 MB
• Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 vs DDR5 only
• ECC memory: true vs false
• PCIe lanes: 16 vs 20
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 770 vs none
• Multiplier unlocked: false vs true
• Transistors: not listed vs 17,800 million
• Memory bandwidth: not listed vs 102.4 GB/s
• Launch MSRP: $549 (i9) vs $294 (Ultra)
• Release date: 2024-01-07 vs 2024-10-23

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are lopsided. The i9-14900T wins two tests. Its largest victory is in Passmark integer math, where it posts 144,857 against the Ultra's 98,936, a 46.4% advantage. It also wins Passmark data compression with 485,883 versus 463,378, a 4.9% margin. Every other benchmark goes to the Ultra 5 245KF.

The Ultra's biggest win is in Passmark find prime numbers, where it scores 415 versus 181, a 56.4% lead. That is followed by Passmark extended instructions (38,020 vs 25,639, a 32.6% margin) and floating point math (132,037