Intel Core i9-14901TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits cleanly by workload type. The Intel Core i9-14901TE, with its 8 cores and 16 threads, is designed for efficiency-focused tasks. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, with 18 cores and 18 threads, targets throughput-heavy applications. The recorded data shows the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus dominating in multi-threaded scenarios.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 30867. The single-core score of 2261 in the same test indicates strong per-thread performance. The Core i9-14901TE has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, so all comparisons rely on the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus's measured results against its nearest rivals.

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus holds a 93rd percentile ranking among all CPUs. Its average benchmark score is 66855. The nearest rivals show tight competition: AMD EPYC 4465P scores 66925 (0.1% ahead of the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus), Intel Xeon 6515P scores 67006 (0.2% ahead), and Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX scores 67469 (0.9% ahead). The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 66159, which is 1.1% behind the 250K Plus.

For productivity workloads, the PassMark results for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus are instructive. The multithread score of 51596 and the integer math score of 125091 indicate strong parallel processing. The floating point math score of 162692 shows capability in scientific and engineering calculations. Data compression at 568721 and data encryption at 42144 suggest solid server-oriented performance.

The Core i9-14901TE, lacking any benchmark entries, cannot be positioned against these scores. The database shows zero wins for both processors in head-to-head comparisons, as no direct benchmark pairs exist. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the only one of the two with measurable performance data.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and use different manufacturing approaches. The Core i9-14901TE is based on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, from the Core 14th Gen series. It uses a 10 nm process node fabricated at Intel. The die size is 257 mm². The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, with the Arrow Lake Refresh codename. It uses a 3 nm process node fabricated at TSMC. The die size is 243 mm², and it packs 17,800 million transistors.

Core configuration differs substantially. The Core i9-14901TE has 8 cores and 16 threads, indicating hyper-threading support. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads, meaning no hyper-threading; each core maps to one thread. This explains the performance profile: the 250K Plus relies on raw core count, while the 14901TE uses simultaneous multithreading.

Cache hierarchies are distinct. The Core i9-14901TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The 250K Plus has larger per-core caches but less total L3.

Clock speeds differ significantly. The Core i9-14901TE has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The 14901TE boosts higher, but the 250K Plus starts from a much higher base. Thermal design power reflects this: the 14901TE is rated at 45 W TDP, while the 250K Plus is rated at 125 W TDP.

Memory support differs. The Core i9-14901TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports only DDR5 memory, also dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth rating of 115.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. The PCIe configurations vary: the 14901TE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 250K Plus offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ. The Core i9-14901TE uses UHD Graphics 770. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The sockets are incompatible: the 14901TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the 250K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851.

The multiplier is locked on the Core i9-14901TE and unlocked on the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. Release dates are 2024-06-30 for the 14901TE and 2026-03-10 for the 250K Plus. The 250K Plus has a launch MSRP of $199. The 14901TE has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The Intel Core i9-14901TE has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the difference in process technology?

A: The Core i9-14901TE uses Intel's 10 nm process with a 257 mm² die. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses TSMC's 3 nm process with a 243 mm² die and 17,800 million transistors.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Core i9-14901TE supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports DDR5 exclusively, with a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Core i9-14901TE has a 45 W TDP. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a 125 W TDP. The boost clocks are close (5.50 GHz vs 5.30 GHz), but the base clocks differ (2.30 GHz vs 4.20 GHz).

Q: What is the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus's standing among all CPUs?

A: It ranks in the 93rd percentile among all CPUs. Its average benchmark score is 66855. Its nearest rivals are AMD EPYC 4465P (66925, 0.1% ahead), Intel Xeon 6515P (67006, 0.2% ahead), and Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (67469, 0.9% ahead).

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The Core i9-14901TE has a locked multiplier. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-14901TE | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |

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

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

| Cores | 8 | 18 |

| Threads | 16 | 18 |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.50 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Arrow Lake Refresh |

| Process Node | 10 nm (Intel) | 3 nm (TSMC) |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 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) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | Yes |

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

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

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | Q49CSRNJJ | SA4UZ |

| Release Date | 2024-06-30 | 2026-03-10 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $199 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons are absent from the database. The wins count for both processors is zero. The Core i9-14901TE has no recorded benchmark scores, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a full suite of Cinebench and PassMark results. This makes a direct numerical comparison impossible.

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus's Cinebench R15 results show a multicore score of 4640 and a singlecore score of 328. In Cinebench R20, the multicore score is 18442 and the singlecore score is 2603. In Cinebench R23, the multicore score is 30867 and the singlecore score is 2261. The single-core scores across these tests are consistent, indicating stable per-thread performance.

The PassMark suite for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus reveals workload-specific strengths. The data compression score of 568721 is very high, suggesting strong performance in archiving and file compression tasks. The data encryption score of 42144 indicates capable cryptographic workloads. The extended instructions score of 44565 shows support for modern instruction sets. The find prime numbers score of 486 is relatively low, which is typical for integer-heavy prime sieving. The floating point math score of 162692 and integer math score of 125091 both indicate robust arithmetic performance. The multithread score of 51596 aligns with the core-heavy design. The physics score of 3494 and random string sorting score of 69090 round out the profile.

Relative to its nearest rivals, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is competitive but not dominant. The AMD EPYC 4465P sits 0.1% ahead, the Intel Xeon 6515P sits 0.2% ahead, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX sits 0.9% ahead. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus trails by 1.1%. These margins are small, indicating that the 250K Plus is positioned within a tight performance cluster.

The architecture differences explain the benchmark behavior. The 250K Plus's 18 physical cores with no hyper-threading avoid the scheduling overhead of simultaneous multithreading. The 3 nm process at TSMC allows higher transistor density (17,800 million transistors in 243 mm²) compared to the 10 nm Intel process. The larger L1 and L2 caches per core on the 250K Plus reduce memory latency for per-thread data. The higher base clock of 4.20 GHz provides consistent throughput in lightly threaded workloads.

The Core i9-14901TE's design priorities are different. The 45 W TDP makes it suitable for thermally constrained environments. The 5.50 GHz boost clock is the highest of the two. The support for DDR4 and DDR5 gives platform flexibility. The 36 MB L3 cache is larger than the 250K Plus's 30 MB. The 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes are fewer than the 250K Plus's 20 lanes.

The data indicates that for users prioritizing raw multi-core throughput, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the clear choice based on its measured results. For users prioritizing lower power consumption and legacy memory support, the Core i9-14901TE offers those features. The benchmark database only contains performance evidence for the 250K Plus, so its 93rd percentile ranking stands as the only recorded performance indicator between these two parts.