Processor Comparison

Core Ultra 5 245KF vs Core i9 14900KS

Verdict
Core Ultra 5 245KF vs Core i9 14900KS: Core i9 14900KS leads in multi-core performance

Head-to-head specifications

MetricCore Ultra 5 245KFCore i9 14900KSDifference
Cinebench 2024 single-core136144-5.6%
Cinebench 2024 multi-core1,5602,443-36.1%
Cores14 (6P+8E)24 (8P+16E)
TDP (base W)125150
L3 cache (MB)2436
PassMark CPU Mark43,10960,019-28.2%
Street price (USD)$199$802-75.2%
  • Core Ultra 5 245KF is slower than Core i9 14900KS by 5.6% in single-core and slower by 36.1% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
  • Core Ultra 5 245KF draws less power (125W vs 150W base TDP).

Verdict: Core Ultra 5 245KF or Core i9 14900KS?

Our recommendation
Core i9 14900KS takes the overall edge, though Core Ultra 5 245KF wins in specific areas worth weighing.

Core Ultra 5 245KF advantages

  • Power efficiency (+17%)
  • Affordability (+75%)

Core i9 14900KS advantages

  • Single-core speed (+6%)
  • Multi-core speed (+36%)
  • Cache size (+33%)

Which should you choose?

  • Choose the Core Ultra 5 245KF if you want a cooler, quieter and more power-efficient build.
  • Choose the Core i9 14900KS if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
  • Choose the Core Ultra 5 245KF if you want the most performance for your budget.

Value for money

Core Ultra 5 245KF delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.

Core Ultra 5 245KF vs Core i9 14900KS: which should you choose?

Core Ultra 5 245KF — 14-core Intel processor (6P+8E) scoring 136 single-core and 1560 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 125 W TDP and 24 MB L3 cache.

Core i9 14900KS — 24-core Intel processor (8P+16E) scoring 144 single-core and 2443 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 150 W TDP and 36 MB L3 cache.

Core Ultra 5 245KF vs Core i9 14900KS: Core i9 14900KS leads in multi-core performance. Core Ultra 5 245KF is slower than Core i9 14900KS by 5.6% in single-core and slower by 36.1% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). Core Ultra 5 245KF draws less power (125W vs 150W base TDP).

Gaming and single-threaded work

Games and everyday responsiveness lean on single-core speed. The Core i9 14900KS leads there with a single-core score of 144 versus 136, so it is the marginally better pick for high-refresh gaming — though at typical resolutions the GPU usually decides frame rates.

Content creation and multitasking

For rendering, compilation, video export and other all-core workloads, the Core i9 14900KS is stronger, posting 2,443 multi-core against 1,560 in Cinebench 2024. Its 24 cores (8 performance + 16 efficiency) give it real headroom for heavy parallel jobs.

Power and platform

The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the more efficient chip at 125 W versus 150 W, which means less heat, quieter cooling and lower running costs under sustained load.

The verdict

Both are credible choices in the processor comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core Ultra 5 245KF better than the Core i9 14900KS?

Core i9 14900KS takes the overall edge, though Core Ultra 5 245KF wins in specific areas worth weighing. Core Ultra 5 245KF is slower than Core i9 14900KS by 5.6% in single-core and slower by 36.1% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).

What is the main difference between the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i9 14900KS?

Core Ultra 5 245KF is slower than Core i9 14900KS by 5.6% in single-core and slower by 36.1% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). Core Ultra 5 245KF draws less power (125W vs 150W base TDP).

Which is better value?

Core Ultra 5 245KF delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.

Which should I choose?

Choose the Core Ultra 5 245KF if you want a cooler, quieter and more power-efficient build. Choose the Core i9 14900KS if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.

Methodology

Processors are compared on Cinebench 2024 single-core and multi-core scores from published leaderboard results, alongside core configuration (performance + efficiency cores), base TDP, L3 cache, PassMark CPU Mark, 1080p gaming scores and street pricing where measured. Cinebench reflects rendering-style workloads; gaming performance depends heavily on the GPU and the specific title, so treat single-core standing as directional. Figures reflect the leaderboard snapshot on the page date.

MC
Marcus Chen
Hardware & Product Analyst

Marcus benchmarks processors, GPUs, phones and vehicles and maintains normalized performance databases.

MSc Computer Engineering10+ years review experience
✓ Reviewed by Priya Nair, Data Quality Reviewer.
Last updated 2026-07-01
Core Ultra 5 245KF profile → Core i9 14900KS profile → Compare something else

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