Intel Core 5 320 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX Comparison

The Intel Core 5 320 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX are both mobile processors from Intel, but the benchmark data shows they occupy very different performance tiers. The Core Ultra 5 245HX wins all seventeen recorded head-to-head comparisons, often by enormous margins. The data confirms a clear hierarchy, with the Ultra 5 245HX delivering desktop-class multi-threaded performance in a laptop package, while the Core 5 320 targets efficient, everyday computing.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The widest single margin in the entire comparison appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core Ultra 5 245HX scores 32,358 against the Core 5 320's 6,197. That is a delta of -80.8%, meaning the Ultra part delivers more than five times the multi-threaded rendering performance. This result is the most dramatic separation between the two chips and underscores the fundamental difference in their core counts and power envelopes.

The single-core results are closer, but the Ultra 5 245HX still leads decisively. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra scores 4,568 versus 1,926 for the Core 5 320, a -57.8% delta. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Ultra posts 1,918 against 771, a -59.8% difference. Even in PassMark's single-thread test, the gap narrows to just -9.7% (4,481 vs 4,045), indicating that the Core 5 320's single-core efficiency is respectable, but the Ultra's higher boost clock and newer architecture still win.

Multi-threaded workloads beyond Cinebench show similar dominance. In PassMark integer math, the Ultra 5 245HX scores 92,150 versus 32,323, a -64.9% delta. Floating-point math shows 120,735 against 42,440, a -64.8% gap. Data compression yields 393,071 versus 148,779, a -62.1% difference, and data encryption shows 30,022 versus 10,984, a -63.4% margin. These results indicate that the Ultra 5 245HX is not just faster in synthetic rendering tests but also in real-world compute tasks like compression and encryption.

The smallest multi-threaded margin appears in PassMark physics, where the Ultra scores 2,526 against 1,221, a -51.7% delta. Still a substantial win, but it shows that the Core 5 320's six cores can hold their own in physics simulations better than in purely parallel integer workloads. The PassMark multi-thread overall score confirms the trend: 38,069 for the Ultra versus 15,450 for the Core 5 320, a -59.4% gap.

Across all seventeen recorded benchmarks, the Core Ultra 5 245HX wins every single one. The average benchmark score tells the same story: 48,287 for the Ultra versus 18,023 for the Core 5 320. The Ultra sits in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 320 sits in the 72nd. In the database, the Core 5 320's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (0.2% ahead) and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (0.7% ahead), while the Ultra 5 245HX trades places with the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A (0.2% ahead) and the AMD EPYC 4345P (0.4% behind). This places the two processors in entirely different performance classes, with no overlap in their competitive sets.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge sharply in their core configurations. The Intel Core 5 320 uses 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX uses 14 cores and 14 threads. Neither chip uses simultaneous multithreading, so threads equal cores in both cases. The Ultra 5 245HX's 14 cores give it a 133% core-count advantage, which directly explains its massive lead in multi-threaded benchmarks.

The process node is the same for both: 3 nm. However, the foundry differs. The Core 5 320 is fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 245HX is fabricated by TSMC. The transistor counts and die sizes also differ significantly. The Ultra 5 245HX packs 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the Core 5 320 has no recorded transistor or die size data. This suggests the Ultra part is a much larger, more complex silicon design.

Clock speeds tell a clear story. The Core 5 320 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 245HX starts at 3.10 GHz base and reaches 5.10 GHz boost. The Ultra's higher boost clock, combined with its greater core count, gives it advantages in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The base clock difference is particularly stark: 3.10 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, indicating the Ultra runs at a much higher sustained frequency.

Cache hierarchies are also very different. The Core 5 320 has 192 KB of L1 cache total, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 245HX has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The per-core L2 design on the Ultra means each of its 14 cores gets dedicated 3 MB of L2, whereas the Core 5 320's 2.5 MB L2 is shared across all 6 cores. The L3 advantage is also pronounced: 24 MB versus 6 MB, a fourfold difference.

Memory support further separates the two. The Core 5 320 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the Core Ultra 5 245HX supports only DDR5. The Core 5 320 uses a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ultra 5 245HX uses a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. This doubling of memory bandwidth is critical for memory-intensive workloads and contributes to the Ultra's lead in data compression and encryption tests. Neither chip supports ECC memory.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The Core 5 320 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 6 CPU-only lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 245HX uses PCIe Gen 5 with 20 CPU-only lanes. The Ultra's newer PCIe generation and vastly higher lane count enable faster connectivity to GPUs and NVMe storage. Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 5 320 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Ultra 5 245HX includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 48 execution units. The Ultra's graphics solution is substantially more capable on paper.

The sockets are incompatible. The Core 5 320 uses Intel BGA 1516, while the Core Ultra 5 245HX uses Intel BGA 2114. The Core 5 320's codename is Wildcat Lake, while the Ultra 5 245HX uses Arrow Lake-HX architecture. The Ultra 5 245HX is also multiplier unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the Core 5 320 is locked. The Ultra 5 245HX carries a 55 W TDP, while the Core 5 320 has a 15 W TDP, a difference that explains the Ultra's higher sustained performance but also implies greater power draw.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates a clear choice for users prioritizing raw performance. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX wins every one of the seventeen recorded comparisons, with margins ranging from -9.7% in single-thread to -80.8% in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Its 14 cores, 24 MB of L3 cache, dual-channel memory, and PCIe Gen 5 support make it the superior processor for rendering, data compression, and heavy compute workloads. The 90th percentile ranking versus the 72nd percentile for the Core 5 320 confirms that the Ultra part belongs to a higher performance class.

The Intel Core 5 320, however, shows strength in efficiency-oriented metrics. Its 15 W TDP is dramatically lower than the Ultra's 55 W, and it supports LPDDR5X memory for power-sensitive designs. In single-threaded PassMark tests, the Core 5 320 trails by only -9.7%, indicating that its 4.60 GHz boost clock delivers competitive responsiveness for everyday tasks. Its 6 MB L3 cache and single-channel memory are adequate for office productivity, web browsing, and light media consumption.

For a user who needs maximum multi-threaded throughput, the Core Ultra 5 245HX is the only rational choice from this data. The -80.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core means rendering jobs finish in a fraction of the time. For a user who prioritizes battery life and light weight, the Core 5 320 offers a viable alternative, especially given its support for LPDDR5X and much lower TDP. The data does not support any scenario where the Core 5 320 wins a performance comparison, but it does occupy a distinct low-power niche.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 320 | Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 6 | 14 |

| Threads | 6 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Arrow Lake-HX |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB | 192 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB | 3 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $340 | Not recorded |

| Release Date | 2026-04-15 | 2025-01-12 |

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX wins every multi-core benchmark in the data. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 32,358 versus 6,197 for the Core 5 320, a -80.8% delta. PassMark multi-thread shows 38,069 versus 15,450, a -59.4% difference.

Q: How close are the two in single-threaded performance?

A: The Ultra 5 245HX leads in single-threaded tests, but the margin is smaller. PassMark single-thread shows 4,481 versus 4,045, a -9.7% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 4,568 versus 1,926, a -57.8% delta.

Q: Do both processors have the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both use a 3 nm process node. However, the Core 5 320 is fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 245HX is fabricated by TSMC. The Ultra part also has a much larger die at 243 mm² with 17,800 million transistors.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245HX has higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s using dual-channel DDR5, compared to the Core 5 320's 59.7 GB/s with single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X. The Core 5 320 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the Ultra supports only DDR5.

Q: Can either processor be overclocked?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking. The Intel Core 5 320 does not have an unlocked multiplier, so its clock speeds are fixed.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245HX provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 5 320 provides 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only). The Ultra's higher lane count and newer PCIe generation allow for faster expansion connectivity.