Core i9-14900K
Raptor Lake Refresh · 24C/32T · 125 W · LGA1700
Core Ultra 5 245K
Arrow Lake · 14C/14T · 125 W · LGA1851
Core i9-14900K takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Core i9-14900K lands at 89 and Core Ultra 5 245K at 81. That puts Core i9-14900K ahead by 8 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Core i9-14900K if…
- ✓Strong per-core performance
- ✓Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- ✓Wide platform availability
Pick Core Ultra 5 245K if…
- ✓Strong per-core performance
- ✓Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- ✓Wide platform availability
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testGaming
Core i9-14900KFrame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed
Core i9-14900K leads on gaming (88 vs 80).
Creators & productivity
Core i9-14900KRendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count
Core i9-14900K leads on multi (89 vs 81).
Power efficiency
Core Ultra 5 245KPerformance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost
Core Ultra 5 245K leads on efficiency (83 vs 81).
Value for money
Core Ultra 5 245KSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Core Ultra 5 245K more score per dollar ($309 vs $589).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Core i9-14900K | Core Ultra 5 245K |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Raptor Lake Refresh | Arrow Lake |
| Cores | ▲ 24 | 14 |
| Threads | ▲ 32 | 14 |
| TDP | 125 W | 125 W |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1851 |
| Release year | 2023 | 2024 |
Core i9-14900K
- +Strong per-core performance
- +Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- +Wide platform availability
- −Power draw on top SKUs
- −Frequent socket changes
- −Arrow Lake gaming regressions
Core Ultra 5 245K
- +Strong per-core performance
- +Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- +Wide platform availability
- −Power draw on top SKUs
- −Frequent socket changes
- −Arrow Lake gaming regressions
FAQ: Core i9-14900K vs Core Ultra 5 245K
Which is better, Core i9-14900K or Core Ultra 5 245K? +
Core i9-14900K scores 89 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 8. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Core i9-14900K worth the price? +
At $589, Core i9-14900K delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in single.
Is Core Ultra 5 245K worth the price? +
At $309, Core Ultra 5 245K delivers a Specdex score of 81 — strongest in single.
Does Core i9-14900K or Core Ultra 5 245K 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 better for gaming, Core i9-14900K or Core Ultra 5 245K? +
Core i9-14900K — leads on gaming (88 vs 80). Frame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed.
Which is better for creator and productivity work, Core i9-14900K or Core Ultra 5 245K? +
Core i9-14900K — leads on multi (89 vs 81). Rendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count.