Intel Core 5 130HL vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Comparison

Intel Core 5 130HL and Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus occupy very different positions in the desktop processor landscape. The data shows a clear separation in core counts, process technology, and benchmark performance, with the Ultra 7 delivering substantially higher throughput across every recorded metric.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database contains no direct head-to-head test results between these two processors. However, the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has an extensive set of recorded benchmark scores, while the Intel Core 5 130HL has no benchmark entries. The Ultra 7's average benchmark score of 93785 places it at the 96th percentile among all CPUs, a strong indicator of top-tier performance. In contrast, the Core 5 130HL sits at the 50th percentile with an average benchmark score of 0, reflecting the absence of measured data rather than actual performance.

The Ultra 7's Cinebench results demonstrate its multi-core dominance. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 44253 points, while its single-core score reaches 2439 points. The Cinebench R20 run shows 24461 points multicore and 3453 points single-core. Cinebench R15 records 6656 points multicore and 354 points single-core. These figures indicate a processor that scales exceptionally well across threaded workloads, with the multicore scores outpacing single-core results by a factor of roughly 18 in R23.

PassMark results for the Ultra 7 further detail its capabilities. The multithread score of 68574 and single-thread score of 5068 show strong performance in both parallel and sequential tasks. Data compression scores 804322, while data encryption reaches 59097. Extended instructions hit 63506, and floating-point math scores 229491. Integer math records 175986 points. Find prime numbers scores 615, random string sorting reaches 96945, and physics simulation scores 4064.

Given the Core 5 130HL has no benchmark data, the nearest rivals for the Ultra 7 provide useful context. The Intel Xeon 6520P scores 93786, essentially matching the Ultra 7's 93785 average with a 0% delta. The AMD EPYC 4564P scores 95183, which is 1.5% higher than the Ultra 7. The AMD EPYC 9175F scores 95615, 1.9% higher, and the AMD EPYC 4565P scores 95764, 2.1% higher. These deltas are modest, indicating the Ultra 7 competes directly with server-class silicon in aggregate benchmark performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing approaches. The Intel Core 5 130HL uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It features 12 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. Its thermal design power is 45 watts.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, using the Arrow Lake Refresh codename with Arrow Lake generation. It is manufactured on a 3 nm process by TSMC, a notable shift from Intel's in-house fabrication for the Core 5. The Ultra 7 packs 24 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. Its thermal design power is 125 watts, substantially higher than the Core 5's 45 watts.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Core 5 130HL has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 270K Plus offers 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 also lists 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the Core 5 has no recorded transistor count or die size.

Memory support and PCIe capabilities diverge as well. The Core 5 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the Ultra 7 supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. ECC memory is not available on the Core 5 but is supported on the Ultra 7. PCIe lanes differ: the Core 5 offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 5 130HL uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. Both processors target the desktop market segment and are currently marked as Active production status.

The Verdict

The recorded data clearly favors the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus for any workload where raw performance matters. Its 24 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 5.50 GHz boost clock and 36 MB of L3 cache, provide a substantial structural advantage over the Core 5 130HL's 12 cores, 16 threads, 4.80 GHz boost, and 18 MB of L3 cache. The Ultra 7's 96th percentile standing among all CPUs, alongside its benchmark scores that rival server processors like the Intel Xeon 6520P and AMD EPYC 4564P, confirms its high-end positioning.

The Core 5 130HL offers a lower thermal design power of 45 watts versus 125 watts, which suggests it may fit into more power-constrained systems. Its support for DDR4 memory could also appeal to users with existing DDR4 platforms, and its 10 nm process and Intel Socket 1700 compatibility indicate an older but potentially more accessible platform. However, without benchmark data in the database, its performance cannot be quantified.

The Ultra 7 270K Plus is the choice for users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, and a higher memory bandwidth ceiling. Its unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, and its launch MSRP is $299. The Core 5 130HL, with its locked multiplier and 45-watt TDP, serves a different purpose: efficient operation on a mature platform with DDR4 flexibility.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification. Core count: 12 for the Core 5 130HL versus 24 for the Ultra 7 270K Plus. Threads: 16 versus 24. Base clock: 2.60 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. Boost clock: 4.80 GHz versus 5.50 GHz. Thermal design power: 45 watts versus 125 watts. Socket: Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel Socket 1851. Architecture: Raptor Lake versus Arrow Lake Refresh. Process node: 10 nm versus 3 nm. Foundry: Intel versus TSMC.

Cache amounts diverge at every level. L1 cache per core: 80 KB versus 192 KB. L2 cache per core: 2 MB versus 3 MB. L3 cache shared: 18 MB versus 36 MB. Memory support: DDR4 and DDR5 versus DDR5 only. ECC memory: false versus true. PCIe: Gen 4 with 8 lanes versus Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics: Iris Xe Graphics 80EU versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. Multiplier unlocked: false versus true. Part number: unknown versus SA4V6.

Additional differences include memory bandwidth, which is unrecorded for the Core 5 but 115.2 GB/s for the Ultra 7. Transistor count and die size are absent for the Core 5 but listed as 17,800 million and 243 mm² for the Ultra 7. Release dates also differ, with the Core 5 released on 2024-04-07 and the Ultra 7 released on 2026-03-10.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 5 130HL has 12 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus boosts to 5.50 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 130HL boosts to 4.80 GHz.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 130HL does not.

Q: What is the average benchmark score and percentile for the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has an average benchmark score of 93785 and sits at the 96th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has a higher L3 cache capacity?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 18 MB found on the Intel Core 5 130HL.

Q: What PCIe generations and lane counts do the two processors use?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus uses PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core 5 130HL uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).