Core i5-14600KF vs Core Ultra 5 245HX

Intel

Core i5-14600KF

14 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.3 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core Ultra 5 245HX

14 Cores14 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2025
Core Ultra family
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Core i5-14600KF vs Core Ultra 5 245HX Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-14600KF vs Core Ultra 5 245HX FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-14600KF vs Core Ultra 5 245HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-14600KF

2023

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (38,664 vs 39,605).
    • Launch MSRP is still $304 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 245HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • 127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.
    • No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 245HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Core Ultra 5 245HX

    2025

    Why buy it

    • +2.4% higher PassMark.
    • Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
    • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
    • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics, while Core i5-14600KF needs a discrete GPU.

    Trade-offs

    • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core Ultra 5 245HX better than Core i5-14600KF?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-14600KF is ahead with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 245HX pulls ahead with 2.4% better PassMark.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 245HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.4% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 14 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Core Ultra 5 245HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-14600KF is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 5 245HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $304 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-14600KF is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-14600KF is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (127.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Core Ultra 5 245HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 14 threads instead of 14/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

    Core i5-14600KF vs Core Ultra 5 245HX Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

    Intel

    Core i5-14600KF

    The Core i5-14600KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 October 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,664 points. Launch price was $294.

    Intel

    Core Ultra 5 245HX

    The Core Ultra 5 245HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 39,605 points. Launch price was $499.

    Processing Power

    The Core i5-14600KF packs 14 cores / 20 threads, matching the Core Ultra 5 245HX's 14 cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Core i5-14600KF versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245HX — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-14600KF (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-14600KF uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 245HX uses Arrow Lake-HX (2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-14600KF scores 38,664 against the Core Ultra 5 245HX's 39,605 — a 2.4% lead for the Core Ultra 5 245HX. Both processors carry 24 MB (total) of L3 cache.

    FeatureCore i5-14600KFCore Ultra 5 245HX
    Cores / Threads
    14 / 20
    14 / 14
    Boost Clock
    5.3 GHz+4%
    5.1 GHz
    Base Clock
    3.5 GHz+13%
    3.1 GHz
    L3 Cache
    24 MB (total)
    24 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    2 MB (per core)
    3 MB (per core)+50%
    Process
    Intel 7 nm
    3 nm-57%
    Architecture
    Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)
    Arrow Lake-HX (2025)
    PassMark
    38,664
    39,605+2%
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    24,700
    Geekbench 6 Single
    2,900
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    18,000
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i5-14600KF uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 245HX uses FCBGA2114 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-14600KF versus 6400 on the Core Ultra 5 245HX — the Core Ultra 5 245HX supports 14.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 5 245HX supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-14600KF) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 245HX) — the Core Ultra 5 245HX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 700 Series,Intel 600 Series (Core i5-14600KF) and Arrow Lake-HX (Core Ultra 5 245HX).

    FeatureCore i5-14600KFCore Ultra 5 245HX
    Socket
    LGA1700
    FCBGA2114
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 5.0
    PCIe 5.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR5-5600
    6400+14%
    Max RAM Capacity
    192 GB
    256 GB+33%
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    Yes
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    20
    24+20%
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-14600KF) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 245HX). The Core Ultra 5 245HX includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics), while the Core i5-14600KF requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-14600KF targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 245HX rivals Ryzen 7 8845HS.

    FeatureCore i5-14600KFCore Ultra 5 245HX
    Integrated GPU
    No
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics
    Unlocked
    Yes
    Yes
    AVX-512
    No
    No
    Virtualization
    Yes
    VT-x, VT-d
    Target Use
    Desktop