Intel Core i9-14901E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF records an average benchmark score of 55093, while the Intel Core i9-14901E averages 37911. The Ultra 5 sits at the 91st percentile of all CPUs, compared to the i9-14901E at the 86th percentile.

Q: What is the most significant single benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest delta appears in PassMark extended instructions, where the Core Ultra 5 245KF scores 37912 against the i9-14901E's 17249, a 54.5% advantage for the Ultra 5. The second-largest gap is in find prime numbers, with the Ultra 5 ahead by 54.6%.

Q: Does the Core i9-14901E win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the i9-14901E wins two tests: PassMark integer math (112736 versus 98854, a 14% advantage) and PassMark physics (3041 versus 2998, a 1.4% advantage). The Ultra 5 wins the remaining 15 recorded head-to-head tests.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads in all single-core Cinebench tests and in PassMark single-thread, scoring 4715 versus 4354 for the i9-14901E, a 7.7% difference. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 5 scores 5173 against 3635, a 29.7% margin.

Q: What are the core and thread configurations for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning it has more physical cores but no hyperthreading.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core i9-14901E boosts to 5.60 GHz, which is higher than the Core Ultra 5 245KF's 5.20 GHz. However, the Ultra 5 has a higher base clock at 4.20 GHz versus 2.80 GHz for the i9-14901E.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-14901E belongs to the Core 14th Gen series and uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename. It is built on Intel's 10 nm process node with a die size of 257 mm². The processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and it includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 770. ECC memory is supported, and the CPU provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 and uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-S codename. It is manufactured by TSMC on a 3 nm process node, with 17,800 million transistors and a die size of 243 mm². Memory support is limited to DDR5, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The Ultra 5 has no integrated graphics, does not support ECC memory, and provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The multiplier is unlocked on the Ultra 5, while the i9-14901E is locked.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The i9-14901E provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 245KF provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 has larger per-core caches but a smaller shared L3 pool, reflecting the different design goals of Arrow Lake versus Raptor Lake.

The process node difference is significant: the 3 nm TSMC process versus Intel's 10 nm process. This contributes to the Ultra 5's higher transistor count in a smaller die area. The i9-14901E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851, so they are not interchangeable in existing motherboards.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 245KF dominates the benchmark suite across most workloads. It wins every Cinebench test, both multi-core and single-core, by consistent margins around 29.7%. In PassMark tests, it wins data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating point math, multithread, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. These results indicate broad superiority in rendering, encryption, compression, and general mathematical throughput.

The Core i9-14901E wins only two tests: integer math and physics. The integer math win is notable at 14% ahead, suggesting that the i9-14901E's architecture handles integer-heavy workloads more efficiently. The physics win is narrow at 1.4%, essentially a statistical tie, but it does indicate that the i9-14901E can keep pace in that specific simulation workload.

For users running Cinebench-style rendering, the Ultra 5 is clearly the stronger choice. For workloads that stress integer operations, such as certain database operations or hash computations, the i9-14901E holds an advantage. The data also shows the Ultra 5 excels in encryption and extended instructions, which matter for security-focused and vectorized workloads.

The i9-14901E's lower TDP of 65 watts versus 125 watts for the Ultra 5 suggests it operates in a different power envelope, though the benchmark data does not directly measure power consumption. The i9-14901E's boost clock of 5.60 GHz is higher, but that does not translate into wins outside of integer math and physics.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i9-14901E | Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF |

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

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

| Cores | 8 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.60 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Arrow Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 243 mm² |

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

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

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

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $294 |

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The Ultra 5 has more cores but fewer threads, reflecting its lack of hyperthreading. It has a higher base clock but a lower boost clock. The TDP difference is substantial at 65 W versus 125 W. The memory support is broader on the i9-14901E, which accepts both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 only accepts DDR5. The Ultra 5 has more PCIe lanes and an unlocked multiplier. The i9-14901E includes integrated graphics and ECC support, both absent on the Ultra 5.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 5 245KF wins 15 of 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The margins are consistent and often large. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ultra 5 scores 3693 against 2595 for the i9-14901E, a 29.7% advantage. The same 29.7% margin appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. This consistency suggests the Ultra 5 has a uniform performance advantage across all Cinebench versions and workload types.

In PassMark tests, the margins vary more widely. Data compression shows the Ultra 5 at 460123 versus 288777, a 37.2% lead. Data encryption is 33381 versus 18571, a 44.4% lead. Extended instructions show the largest gap at 54.5%, with scores of 37912 versus 17249. Find prime numbers is similarly lopsided at 54.6%, with 416 versus 189. Floating point math is 131546 versus 81089, a 38.4% lead. Multithread is 43110 versus 30298, a 29.7% lead. Random string sorting is 55206 versus 39138, a 29.1% lead. Single-thread is 4715 versus 4354, a smaller 7.7% lead.

The i9-14901E wins two tests. Integer math shows 112736 versus 98854, a 14% advantage for the i9-14901E. Physics shows 3041 versus 2998, a 1.4% advantage. The physics margin is small enough that it could be considered within run-to-run variation, but the integer math margin is meaningful and indicates a specific architectural strength.

The data shows that the Ultra 5's wins are not marginal. In 12 of its 15 victories, the margin exceeds 29%. Only in single-thread (7.7%) and random string sorting (29.1%) does the Ultra 5 win by less than 29%. The i9-14901E's two wins are the only tests where it holds any advantage, and the physics win is nearly negligible.

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF. It wins 15 of 17 tests, including all Cinebench benchmarks and most PassMark workloads. Its average benchmark score of 55093 places it at the 91st percentile of all CPUs, compared to the i9-14901E's 37911 at the 86th percentile. The Ultra 5's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D at a 0.6% higher score, the Intel Core 7 253PQE at 1.5% higher, and the Intel Core i9-14900HX at 1.6% higher. The i9-14901E sits near the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, and the Intel Core 5 211E, all within 0.3% of its score.

For rendering workloads, video encoding, data compression, encryption, and general multithreaded tasks, the Ultra 5 is the stronger processor. Its 3 nm process node, higher core count, and larger per-core caches contribute to these results. The i9-14901E remains competitive only in integer math, where it leads by 14%, and physics, where it leads by 1.4%. For systems that require ECC memory, integrated graphics, or DDR4 support, the i9-14901E offers those features. For raw performance across most measured workloads, the Core Ultra 5 245KF is the clear choice based on the recorded data. The Ultra 5 also carries a launch MSRP of $294, and it has an unlocked multiplier for those seeking additional tuning options.