Intel Core i9-14901KE vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for this comparison is one-sided. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is the only processor with recorded measurements in the database, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE has no benchmark scores listed. This makes a direct score-by-score comparison impossible, but the available data for the 285K can be interpreted against its nearest rivals to establish a performance baseline.

The Core Ultra 9 285K delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42522 and a single-core score of 2377. In Geekbench, it records 26702 multi-core and 2870 single-core. These numbers place the processor in the 96th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 83807. Its closest rival is the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus with an average score of 84003, a difference of only 0.2%. The 285K trails that part by a negligible margin. Against the AMD EPYC 4584PX, which scores 83090, the 285K leads by 0.9%. Against the AMD EPYC 9135 at 82980, the lead expands to 1.0%. The AMD EPYC 7F72 posts 85072, putting it 1.5% ahead of the 285K.

Passmark results for the 285K show a multi-thread score of 67260 and a single-thread score of 5087. Integer math reaches 172379, floating point math reaches 224324, and extended instructions score 62277. Data compression hits 790052, data encryption 57745, random string sorting 94927, physics 3938, and prime number finding 541.

The absence of benchmark data for the i9-14901KE means its wins column is zero, and its average benchmark score is zero. The database places it in the 50th percentile of all CPUs, which is a default position rather than a measured result. The Core Ultra 9 285K, by contrast, has a measured percentile of 96 and a full suite of scores. The data shows a processor that is firmly in the top tier of the database, while the i9-14901KE lacks any recorded performance evidence.

# Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and are built on different process nodes. The Intel Core i9-14901KE uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, part of the Core 14th Gen series. It is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K uses Arrow Lake architecture, the Arrow Lake-S codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 2. It is fabricated on a 3 nm process by TSMC, with a die size of 243 mm² and 17800 million transistors.

Core and thread counts diverge sharply. The i9-14901KE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Core Ultra 9 285K has 24 cores and 24 threads, meaning it does not use simultaneous multithreading. Clock speeds are close: the i9-14901KE has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, while the 285K has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. Both have a TDP of 125 watts.

Cache structures differ significantly. The i9-14901KE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The 285K has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and the same 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations on the 285K reflect the newer architecture.

Memory support also differs. The i9-14901KE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the 285K supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The 285K lists a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the i9-14901KE has no bandwidth figure recorded. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity shows a difference in lane count. The i9-14901KE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The 285K provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i9-14901KE uses UHD Graphics 770. The 285K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

Sockets are not interchangeable. The i9-14901KE fits Intel Socket 1700, while the 285K fits Intel Socket 1851. Both processors have an unlocked multiplier, and both are currently in active production.

# FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has 24 cores, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE has 8 cores. The 285K also has 24 threads, whereas the i9-14901KE has 16 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the database lists ECC memory support as true for both the Intel Core i9-14901KE and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K.

Q: What process node does each processor use?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901KE uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K uses a 3 nm process from TSMC.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901KE has a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The i9-14901KE is 0.10 GHz higher.

Q: Do the two processors use the same socket?

A: No. The Intel Core i9-14901KE uses Intel Socket 1700. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K uses Intel Socket 1851.

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has an average benchmark score of 83807 and sits in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i9-14901KE has an average benchmark score of 0 and sits in the 50th percentile, with no benchmark results recorded.

# Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-14901KE | Intel Core Ultra 9 285K |

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

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

| Cores | 8 | 24 |

| Threads | 16 | 24 |

| Base clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.80 GHz | 5.70 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Arrow Lake-S |

| Generation | Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh) | Ultra 9 (Arrow Lake) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17800 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) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 102.4 GB/s |

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

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Release date | 2024-06-30 | 2024-10-23 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $589 |

| Part number | Q49DSRNJC | SRQD5 |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 50 | 96 |

| Average benchmark score | 0 | 83807 |

The two share a TDP of 125 watts, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, unlocked multiplier, active production status, and desktop market segment. The L3 cache is identical at 36 MB shared.

# Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K wins on every measurable performance category in the database because it is the only processor of the two with recorded benchmarks. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42522 and single-core score of 2377 establish a strong baseline. Geekbench scores of 26702 multi-core and 2870 single-core reinforce that position. Passmark results across integer math, floating point math, encryption, compression, and physics all show a processor capable of heavy sustained workloads. The 285K also wins on core count with 24 cores versus 8, on per-core cache size with 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 versus 80 KB and 2 MB, and on PCIe lane count with 20 lanes versus 16. It uses a smaller die at 243 mm² versus 257 mm², a more advanced 3 nm process versus 10 nm, and it is the only one of the two with a recorded memory bandwidth figure of 102.4 GB/s.

The Intel Core i9-14901KE wins on clock speed. Its base clock of 3.80 GHz exceeds the 285K's 3.70 GHz, and its boost clock of 5.80 GHz exceeds the 285K's 5.70 GHz. It also supports DDR4 memory in addition to DDR5, which the 285K does not. The i9-14901KE has an earlier release date of 2024-06-30 compared to 2024-10-23 for the 285K, and it uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, which is a different ecosystem from the 285K's Intel Socket 1851. No recorded benchmark data exists for the i9-14901KE, so its wins are limited to specification-level advantages.

# The Verdict

The recorded data points clearly to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K as the stronger processor. It holds a 96th percentile position in the database, has an average benchmark score of 83807, and carries a full suite of Cinebench, Geekbench, and Passmark results. Its closest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus, edges it by only 0.2%, while it leads the AMD EPYC 4584PX by 0.9% and the AMD EPYC 9135 by 1.0%. The AMD EPYC 7F72 leads the 285K by 1.5%, but that is a server-class part with a different target use case.

The Intel Core i9-14901KE cannot be evaluated on performance from the database because no benchmark scores are recorded for it. Its 50th percentile ranking and average score of 0 reflect missing data, not measured performance. Its advantages are limited to a higher base clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.70 GHz, a higher boost clock of 5.80 GHz versus 5.70 GHz, DDR4 memory support, and a larger 257 mm² die. None of these specifications translate into a measurable performance win in the database.

The 285K is the processor for workloads that use many cores. Its 24 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 3 nm TSMC process and 17800 million transistors, make it the data-backed choice for multi-threaded rendering, compilation, and data processing tasks. The i9-14901KE, with 8 cores and 16 threads on a 10 nm Intel process, offers higher clock speeds but no recorded evidence of competitive performance. For single-core frequency, the i9-14901KE has the nominal edge, but the 285K's single-core scores of 2377 in Cinebench R23 and 2870 in Geekbench are the only measured results available. The verdict from the data is straightforward: the Core Ultra 9 285K is the verified performer, while the Core i9-14901KE remains an unmeasured alternative with higher clocks and broader memory compatibility.