Core i5-14600K
Raptor Lake Refresh · 14C · 5.3 GHz · $319
Core Ultra 9 285
24C/24T · 5.4 GHz · 65 W · PassMark #193
Core i5-14600K takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Core i5-14600K lands at 87 and Core Ultra 9 285 at 32. That puts Core i5-14600K ahead by 55 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Core i5-14600K if…
- ✓Strong gaming performance
- ✓Good productivity for price
- ✓DDR4 and DDR5 compatible
Pick Core Ultra 9 285 if…
- ✓PassMark #193 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- ✓Intel's latest architecture with on-chip NPU
- ✓Current PassMark-tracked street price around $579
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Core i5-14600KSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Core i5-14600K more score per dollar ($319 vs $579).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Core i5-14600K | Core Ultra 9 285 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 14 (6P+8E) | ▲ 24 (8P + 16E) |
| Threads | 20 | ▲ 24 |
| Boost clock | 5.3 GHz | 5.4 GHz |
| TDP | 125 W | 65 W base / 182 W turbo |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA 1851 |
| Base clock | — | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 cache | — | 36 MB |
| Class | — | Desktop |
| PassMark rank | — | #193 of 5,901 |
| PassMark CPU Mark | — | 57,575 |
Core i5-14600K
- +Strong gaming performance
- +Good productivity for price
- +DDR4 and DDR5 compatible
- −Last-gen LGA1700 socket
- −Power hungry under load
- −No AI instructions
Core Ultra 9 285
- +PassMark #193 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- +Intel's latest architecture with on-chip NPU
- +Current PassMark-tracked street price around $579
- −Requires recent-generation motherboard and DDR5 memory
- −Newer-generation parts pull ahead in current rankings
FAQ: Core i5-14600K vs Core Ultra 9 285
Which is better, Core i5-14600K or Core Ultra 9 285? +
Core i5-14600K scores 87 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 55. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Core i5-14600K worth the price? +
At $319, Core i5-14600K delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in gaming.
Is Core Ultra 9 285 worth the price? +
At $579, Core Ultra 9 285 delivers a Specdex score of 32 — strongest in passmark.
Does Core i5-14600K or Core Ultra 9 285 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is the better value, Core i5-14600K or Core Ultra 9 285? +
Core i5-14600K — more score per dollar ($319 vs $579). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.