Intel Core 5 330 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K records an average benchmark score of 54053, while the Intel Core 5 330 records 18345. The Ultra 5 245K also sits in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 72nd percentile for the Core 5 330.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K boosts to 5.20 GHz, which is higher than the 4.60 GHz boost clock of the Intel Core 5 330. Base clocks are 4.20 GHz for the Ultra 5 245K and 1.50 GHz for the Core 5 330.

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

A: In the PassMark single-thread test, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K scores 4714 against 4088 for the Intel Core 5 330, a 13.3% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 5 245K scores 2132 versus 1856, a 12.9% lead.

Q: What memory configurations do the two support?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are the processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core 5 330 does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 5 330 and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K share the same 3 nm process node but are built by different foundries. The Core 5 330 is fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 245K is fabricated by TSMC. The Core 5 330 is based on the Wildcat Lake codename with a Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) generation label. The Core Ultra 5 245K uses the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-S, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation.

Core counts differ substantially. The Core 5 330 provides 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 245K provides 14 cores and 14 threads, with no hyperthreading in either part based on the thread counts matching core counts. Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Core 5 330 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 245K lists 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

The integrated graphics differ. The Core 5 330 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe units. The Core Ultra 5 245K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. Memory support is another divider: the Core 5 330 accepts DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core Ultra 5 245K accepts DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the Ultra 5 245K but not on the Core 5 330.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The Core 5 330 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 245K provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. The sockets are not interchangeable: the Core 5 330 uses Intel BGA 1516, and the Core Ultra 5 245K uses Intel Socket 1851.

Power and thermal envelopes are far apart. The Core 5 330 is rated at 15 W TDP and targets the mobile market segment. The Core Ultra 5 245K is rated at 125 W TDP and targets the desktop market segment. The Ultra 5 245K also carries a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², figures not listed for the Core 5 330.

Release timing and pricing also differ. The Core 5 330 launched on 2026-04-15 with a launch MSRP of $309. The Core Ultra 5 245K launched on 2024-10-23 with a launch MSRP of $319. Part numbers are SAE3G for the Core 5 330 and SRQCT for the Ultra 5 245K.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 5 330. The largest margin appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 5 245K scores 414 versus 114, a 72.5% advantage. PassMark data compression shows the Ultra 5 245K at 458817 against 145287, a 68.3% lead. PassMark random string sorting follows with 55098 versus 17771, a 67.7% gap. PassMark data encryption delivers 33286 against 11076, a 66.7% difference. PassMark floating point math shows 130678 versus 43885, a 66.4% edge. PassMark integer math records 98524 versus 33258, a 66.2% gap. PassMark extended instructions shows 37617 versus 12808, a 66% difference. PassMark multithread records 43047 versus 15471, a 64.1% lead. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 3850 versus 1325, a 65.6% advantage. Cinebench R20 multicore records 15368 versus 5523, a 64.1% gap. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 2169 versus 779, also a 64.1% difference. PassMark physics records 3081 versus 1201, a 61% lead.

The single-thread results are closer. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2132 versus 1856, a 12.9% advantage for the Ultra 5 245K. PassMark single-thread records 4714 versus 4088, a 13.3% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 322 versus 186, a 42.2% gap. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 25066 versus 13150, a 47.5% difference.

The nearest rivals in the database put these scores in context. The Core 5 330 sits within 0.2% of the Intel Core 3 305, within 0.1% of the Intel Core i3-14100, and 0.2% below the Intel Core 7 360 and Intel Core i3-13100. The Core Ultra 5 245K sits 0.7% above the Intel Xeon 6505P, 0.8% above the Intel Core i7-14700F, and 1.1% above the Intel Xeon Phi 7290, while trailing the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D by 1.3%.

The data indicates the Ultra 5 245K dominates in heavily threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25066 is nearly double the Core 5 330's 13150. In memory-sensitive tests such as data compression, the dual-channel memory bus and higher bandwidth appear to contribute to the substantial gap. The single-thread margins, while smaller, still favor the Ultra 5 245K across every recorded test.

The Verdict

The benchmark results clearly separate these two processors by workload and platform. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is the stronger processor in every measured category. Its 14 cores, 24 MB of shared L3 cache, dual-channel memory, and 5.20 GHz boost clock produce a 91st percentile ranking and an average score of 54053. The Intel Core 5 330, with 6 cores, 6 MB of shared L3 cache, single-channel memory, and 4.60 GHz boost clock, lands at the 72nd percentile with an average score of 18345.

For multi-threaded desktop workloads, the choice is unambiguous. The Ultra 5 245K delivers 64.1% higher Cinebench R20 multicore scores and 47.5% higher Cinebench R23 multicore scores. It also carries an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, supports ECC memory, and uses a Gen 5 PCIe interface with 20 lanes. These features align with a desktop platform on Socket 1851.

The Core 5 330 fits a different profile. Its 15 W TDP and mobile market segment indicate a low-power part on a BGA socket. It uses fewer cores, a smaller cache, single-channel memory, and Gen 4 PCIe with 6 lanes. Its integrated Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe units is not comparable in execution unit count to the Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics of the Ultra 5 245K.

The data does not show any benchmark category where the Core 5 330 wins. The closest margins are in single-thread tests, but even there the Ultra 5 245K leads by 12.9% to 13.3%. The Core 5 330's nearest rivals are the Core i3-14100, Core i3-13100, Core 7 360, and Core 3 305, all within 0.2% of its average score. The Core Ultra 5 245K competes in a higher performance band against the Xeon 6505P, Core i7-14700F, Xeon Phi 7290, and Ryzen 9 9900X3D.

Users with desktop performance requirements should look to the Ultra 5 245K. The recorded data shows it outperforms the Core 5 330 across all 17 comparisons, with the largest gaps in compute-heavy and memory-heavy tasks. The Core 5 330 is positioned for mobile or low-power scenarios where its 15 W TDP and compact platform matter more than raw throughput.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 330 | Intel Core Ultra 5 245K |

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

| Cores | 6 | 14 |

| Threads | 6 | 14 |

| Base clock | 1.50 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.60 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| 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 |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

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

| Integrated graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2026-04-15 | 2024-10-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | $319 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SAE3G | SRQCT |