Intel Core 3 201E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K dominates the Intel Core 3 201E across every recorded benchmark, with the data showing a decisive performance gap that spans both single-threaded and heavily parallel workloads. The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 245K is 54053, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 201E averages 19056, landing in the 73rd percentile. This is not a close contest by any measure, and the head-to-head results confirm a complete sweep for the higher-tier part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 5 245K scores 414 against the Core 3 201E's 57, a delta of 86.2%. This test is highly sensitive to integer throughput and cache behavior, so the magnitude of the gap indicates a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a minor clock speed difference.

Multi-core Cinebench results tell a similar story. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core Ultra 5 245K scores 3850 versus 1271 for the Core 3 201E, a 67% deficit for the smaller chip. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 15368 against 5297, a 65.5% gap, and Cinebench R23 multicore shows 25066 versus 12613, a 49.7% difference. The narrowing of the gap from R15 to R23 is notable: the Core 3 201E closes some relative distance as the workload scales, but it still loses by nearly half in the longest multi-threaded render.

Data compression and encryption workloads amplify the disparity. The PassMark data compression score for the Core Ultra 5 245K is 458817 versus 164160, a 64.2% lead. Data encryption shows 33286 against 8931, a 73.2% lead. Extended instructions score 37617 versus 11035, a 70.7% gap. These results indicate that the Core Ultra 5 245K's larger core count and newer microarchitecture translate directly into throughput gains for data-intensive operations.

Floating point math delivers one of the clearest separations: 130678 for the Core Ultra 5 245K against 33260 for the Core 3 201E, a 74.5% advantage. Integer math is closer in relative terms but still lopsided, with 98524 versus 43894, a 55.4% gap. The PassMark multithread score follows the same pattern, 43047 versus 14839, a 65.5% lead for the Core Ultra 5 245K.

Single-thread performance is the closest category, but the Core Ultra 5 245K still wins comfortably. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 2132 against 1780, a 16.5% margin. Cinebench R15 singlecore shows 322 versus 179, a 44.4% gap, and Cinebench R20 singlecore shows 2169 versus 747, a 65.6% gap. PassMark single thread shows 4714 versus 3482, a 26.1% lead. The extra clock headroom, the Core Ultra 5 245K boosts to 5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz, explains part of this, but the R20 singlecore result suggests the newer architecture carries a substantial instructions-per-clock advantage as well.

Physics and sorting workloads round out the sweep. PassMark physics scores 3081 for the Core Ultra 5 245K and 1141 for the Core 3 201E, a 63% lead. Random string sorting shows 55098 versus 17783, a 67.7% gap. No test in the recorded data favors the Core 3 201E; the win count is 0 for the Core 3 201E and 17 for the Core Ultra 5 245K when counting both duplicate single-thread entries.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 3 201E does not win a single benchmark in the head-to-head set. Its only relative strength is that the Cinebench R23 multicore deficit, 49.7%, is smaller than most other multi-threaded gaps, which suggests that its 4 cores and 8 threads scale reasonably well in that specific render workload. Still, the absolute score of 12613 is far below the Core Ultra 5 245K's 25066.

The Core Ultra 5 245K wins across every category. Its largest advantages appear in integer-heavy prime number finding, encryption, extended instructions, and floating point math, where deltas range from 70.7% to 86.2%. Its smallest advantage is in Cinebench R23 singlecore at 16.5%, which remains a clear margin. The data indicates that the Core Ultra 5 245K is the appropriate choice for any workload that benefits from more cores, higher clocks, or newer instruction support.

From a use-case perspective, the Core 3 201E fits scenarios where the workload is light and the platform cost is the primary constraint. Its 60 W TDP, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, and Intel Socket 1700 compatibility make it a straightforward drop-in for existing systems. The Core Ultra 5 245K, with its 14 cores, 14 threads, 3 nm process node, and TSMC foundry, is positioned for demanding desktop tasks that can exploit parallel execution and higher memory bandwidth.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear verdict: the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is the superior processor in every measured category. Buyers who need maximum multi-core throughput for rendering, compression, encryption, or floating point workloads should select the Core Ultra 5 245K. Its 91st percentile standing and average benchmark score of 54053 place it in a different performance class than the Core 3 201E, which sits at the 73rd percentile with an average of 19056.

The Core 3 201E remains a viable option only for users with strict platform or power constraints. Its 60 W TDP, smaller 163 mm² die, and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory allow for lower-cost builds on Intel Socket 1700. The Core Ultra 5 245K requires the newer Intel Socket 1851 and DDR5-only memory support, which raises platform costs, but the performance delta justifies that investment in any scenario where benchmark scores matter.

The Core Ultra 5 245K also offers an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the Core 3 201E is locked. The Core Ultra 5 245K carries a launch MSRP of $319. The Core 3 201E has a launch MSRP of $134.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has an average benchmark score of 54053, while the Intel Core 3 201E scores 19056.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 5 245K scores 414 versus 57 for the Core 3 201E, a delta of 86.2%.

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245K leads in all single-thread tests. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 2132 versus 1780, a 16.5% gap, and PassMark single thread shows 4714 versus 3482, a 26.1% gap.

Q: Does the Core 3 201E win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows 0 wins for the Core 3 201E and 17 wins for the Core Ultra 5 245K across all recorded tests.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Core Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Core 3 201E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 only.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design generations. The Core 3 201E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, which indicates Hyper-Threading support. Its cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3.

The Core Ultra 5 245K uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-S codename, built on a 3 nm process node at TSMC. It has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning no Hyper-Threading, and relies on a larger core count for multi-threaded performance. Its cache includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The transistor count is 17,800 million, and the die size is 243 mm², compared to 163 mm² for the Core 3 201E.

The Core Ultra 5 245K integrates Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, while the Core 3 201E uses UHD Graphics 730. Both support ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 245K has an unlocked multiplier; the Core 3 201E does not. The production status for both is Active.

Specification Differences

The Core Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks differ: 4.20 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 245K versus 3.60 GHz for the Core 3 201E. Boost clocks differ: 5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. TDP is 125 W for the Core Ultra 5 245K and 60 W for the Core 3 201E.

The sockets are different: Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 5 245K, Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 3 201E. Process node is 3 nm for the Core Ultra 5 245K and 10 nm for the Core 3 201E. The foundry is TSMC for the Core Ultra 5 245K and Intel for the Core 3 201E.

Memory support differs: the Core Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 only, while the Core 3 201E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s for the Core Ultra 5 245K and 76.8 GB/s for the Core 3 201E. PCIe lanes are Gen 5 with 20 lanes for the Core Ultra 5 245K and Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the Core 3 201E.

The integrated graphics differ: Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for the Core Ultra 5 245K, UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 3 201E. The Core Ultra 5 245K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 3 201E is locked. The Core Ultra 5 245K released on 2024-10-23, and the Core 3 201E released on 2025-01-12. The Core Ultra 5 245K has a launch MSRP of $319, and the Core 3 201E has a launch MSRP of $134.