Intel Core i5-14600KF vs Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against desktop processors at a similar price

The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus scores 6.5/10 overall, ahead of the Intel Core i5-14600KF at 5.8/10.

The Intel Core i5-14600KF leads on single-core performance and efficiency.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus leads on multi-core performance and integrated graphics.

They score the same on platform.

The biggest difference is integrated graphics, where the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus scores 7/10 to the Intel Core i5-14600KF's 0/10.

Intel Core i5-14600KF

5.8/10verdict: good, not the best

The Core i5-14600KF suits builders who want a high thread count for compiling, VMs and containers. It pairs 14 cores and 20 threads with a 5.3 GHz performance-core turbo. Buyers should be comfortable with the owner reports on 14th-gen voltage and stability.

Typically about £220 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus

6.5/10verdict: buy

The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is for builders who want many cores for compiling, VMs and rendering on a desktop budget. It also suits media server owners who value HEVC hardware encoding from the integrated graphics. It is a poorer fit for always-on machines where idle power matters, or for gaming-first builds.

Typically about £273.59 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	Intel Core i5-14600KF	Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus
Multi-core performance	25%	8/10	9/10
Single-core performance	20%	8/10	7/10
Efficiency	20%	5/10	3/10
Platform	20%	6/10	6/10
Integrated graphics	15%	0/10	7/10
Overall		5.8/10	6.5/10

Specifications

Spec	Intel Core i5-14600KF	Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus
Cores / threads	14 (6 performance + 8 efficient), 20 threads	24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores), 24 threads
Base / boost clock	P-core base 3.5 GHz; E-core base 2.6 GHz; P-core max turbo 5.3 GHz; E-core max turbo 4 GHz	P-core base 3.7 GHz, E-core base 3.2 GHz; max turbo 5.5 GHz (P-core 5.4 GHz, E-core 4.7 GHz)
Socket	FCLGA1700	LGA 1851
TDP	Processor Base Power 125 W; Maximum Turbo Power 181 W	Processor Base Power 125 W; Maximum Turbo Power 250 W
Cache	24 MB Intel Smart Cache; 20 MB total L2	36 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3); 40 MB total L2
Integrated graphics	not listed	Intel Graphics, 4 Xe-cores, max dynamic frequency 2 GHz; HEVC hardware encode/decode; AV1 hardware encode not confirmed
Memory support	Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s, up to DDR4 3200 MT/s, two channels, max 192 GB	Max 256 GB; up to DDR5 7200 MT/s; 2 memory channels; ECC supported

Strengths and weaknesses

Intel Core i5-14600KF

+ 14 cores and 20 threads for compiling and VMs
+ 5.3 GHz P-core max turbo
+ Owners praise low idle power
− Owner reports of 14th-gen voltage and stability problems
− 181 W maximum turbo power
− 125 W base power rating

Skip it if:

Builders who want to avoid any 14th-gen voltage and stability risk
Buyers who want a low power ceiling, given the 181 W maximum turbo power
Anyone planning heavy expansion with many add-in cards, given 20 PCIe lanes in total

Read the full Intel Core i5-14600KF review ›

Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus

+ 24 cores and 24 threads for compiling and VMs
+ Reviewers praised its price-to-performance
+ ECC support listed, plus HEVC hardware encode and decode
− Highest idle power in Tom's Hardware's test pool
− Reviewers report heat and high power draw
− Gaming trails AMD X3D chips, per reviewers

Skip it if:

Homelabbers building a low-power, always-on server
Gamers who want the fastest gaming chip, such as an AMD X3D part
Anyone who needs confirmed AV1 hardware encoding

Read the full Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus review ›

More comparisons

Compare all desktop processors · Best desktop processors