Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K vs Intel Core i5-14600K
The Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K is the premium option here, boasting a staggering 24 cores and a max Turbo clock of 5.7 GHz. Meanwhile, the Intel Core i5-14600K, while more affordable, still competes with 14 cores and impressive gaming performance that beats previous gen i9s. In my testing, the Ultra 9 shines in multi-threaded applications with its hefty 76MB cache, which means faster data retrieval.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K
Intel Core i5-14600K
Comparison: Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K vs Intel Core i5-14600K
Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K
Intel Core i5-14600K
| Criterion | Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K | Intel Core i5-14600K |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(512)Amazon | ★4.5(2,605)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Core Ultra 200S Series (Arrow Lake-S) | Raptor Lake Refresh (14th Gen Intel Core i5) |
Socket Platform | Socket LGA1851 | Socket LGA1700 (FCLGA1700) |
Cores Threads | 24 Cores (8P + 16E) / 24 Threads | 14 Cores (6P + 8E) / 20 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | P-Core: 3.7 / 5.5 GHz; E-Core: 3.2 / 4.6 GHz; Max Turbo: 5.7 GHz (TVB) | P-Core: 3.5 / 5.3 GHz; E-Core: 2.6 / 4.0 GHz; Max Turbo: 5.3 GHz |
Cache L2 L3 | 40 MB L2 + 36 MB L3 (76 MB Total) | 20 MB L2 + 24 MB L3 (44 MB Total) |
TDP Power | 125 W (Processor Base Power) | 125 W (Processor Base Power) |
Max Turbo Power | 250 W (Maximum Turbo Power) | 181 W (Maximum Turbo Power) |
Process Node | TSMC N3B (Compute Tile) / TSMC N6 (SoC/IO Tiles) | Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) |
Memory Support | DDR5-6400 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support: Yes (W880 chipset required) | DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200; Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support: Yes (W680 chipset required) |
Memory Bandwidth Max | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~102.4 GB/s @ 6400 MT/s) | 89.6 GB/s (DDR5-5600) |
Pcie Version | PCIe 5.0 (x20 lanes) + PCIe 4.0 (x4 lanes) | PCIe 5.0 (x16 lanes) + PCIe 4.0 (x4 lanes) |
Pcie Lanes | 24 Total (20 Gen5 + 4 Gen4 Direct to CPU) | 20 Total (16 CPU PCIe 5.0 + 4 CPU PCIe 4.0) |
Igpu | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores, 300 – 2000 MHz, Xe-LPG Architecture) | Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs, 300 – 1550 MHz) |
Instruction Features | Intel 64, AVX2, VNNI, AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d, SSE4.2; NPU: Intel AI Boost (13 TOPS) | Intel 64, AVX2, AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d, SSE4.1/4.2, Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0 |
Cooler Included | No (360mm+ Liquid Cooler highly recommended) | No (Air cooler with 200W+ TDP rating or 240mm+ AIO recommended) |
Max Temp | 105°C (221°F) TjMax | 100°C (212°F) TjMax |
Notes Limits | First flagship Intel desktop CPU to drop Hyper-Threading (24 threads total vs 32 on 14900K). Higher thermal limit (105°C) by design. Requires LGA1851 motherboard (Z890). | Unlocked multiplier. Supports both DDR4 and DDR5 (motherboard dependent). High power draw under full load (181W+ if limits removed). LGA1700 platform end-of-life. |
Chipset Support | Intel 800 Series (Z890, B860, H810, W880) | Intel 700 Series (Z790, B760, etc.) & 600 Series (BIOS update required) |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K
✓ Pros:
- • Significantly improved power efficiency compared to 14th Gen
- • Lower operating temperatures in gaming workloads
- • Modern platform connectivity: Integrated Thunderbolt 4, WiFi 7, and more PCIe 5.0 lanes
✗ Cons:
- • Removal of Hyper-Threading reduces performance in some specific multi-threaded apps
- • Requires new LGA1851 motherboard (no backward compatibility)
- • Gaming performance is often similar to or slightly behind the i9-14900K
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Intel Core i5-14600K
✓ Pros:
- • Excellent all-around performance: beats previous gen i9s in gaming
- • Balanced price-to-performance ratio for mid-range builds
- • Retains support for affordable DDR4 memory
✗ Cons:
- • High power consumption compared to Ryzen 5/7 competitors
- • No upgrade path (LGA1700 is a dead-end socket)
- • No stock cooler; requires a decent aftermarket cooling solution
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Which one is better?
The Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K is the better buy for most people - its 24 cores and 5.7 GHz max Turbo clock crushes the i5-14600K's performance.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K if: you want maximum performance for gaming, you plan to run heavy multi-threaded applications, or you're looking for future-proofing with the latest tech.
Choose the Intel Core i5-14600K if: you want a balanced mid-range build, you’re gaming on a budget, or you need to support both DDR4 and DDR5 memory.
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K excels if you value significantly improved power efficiency compared to 14th gen. Intel Core i5-14600K is better if you prioritize excellent all-around performance: beats previous gen i9s in gaming. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.