Intel Core 7 251E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Comparison
Intel Core 7 251E
Core Ultra 5 245K
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 7 251E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
Where Each One Wins
The benchmark data splits these two processors into clearly distinct roles. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is the only one of the pair with recorded benchmark results in the database, and those results place it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs tested. The Intel Core 7 251E, by contrast, has no recorded benchmark scores and sits at the 50th percentile based on its specifications alone. This means the 245K is the performance leader in every measured category, while the 251E offers a different set of structural advantages.
The 245K delivers its strengths across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. In single-core tests, it posts a Cinebench R23 score of 2132, a PassMark single-thread score of 4714, and a Cinebench R15 single-core score of 322. These numbers indicate strong per-core performance that benefits lightly threaded applications. In multi-threaded work, the 245K produces a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25066 and a PassMark multithread score of 43047, showing that its 14 cores and 14 threads can handle substantial parallel loads despite lacking hyper-threading.
The 251E, with 24 cores and 32 threads, is structured for throughput-oriented tasks. Its core count is substantially higher than the 245K's 14 cores, and its 32 threads double the 245K's thread count. The 251E also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the 245K supports only DDR5. This makes the 251E a more flexible platform for systems with existing DDR4 memory inventories. The 251E carries a 65 TDP, which positions it as a power-conscious option, while the 245K has a 125 TDP and is built for higher sustained performance.
The 245K wins on raw performance metrics, as its benchmark scores confirm. The 251E wins on core count, thread count, memory flexibility, and power efficiency. These are different design philosophies: one aimed at maximum compute capability, the other at scalability and compatibility.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different manufacturing and design generations. The Intel Core 7 251E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K uses the Arrow Lake-S codename and is built on TSMC's 3 nm process with a die size of 243 mm². The 245K contains 17,800 million transistors, while the 251E has no transistor count listed in the database.
Core organization differs significantly. The 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, indicating a mix of performance and efficiency cores where some cores support two threads. The 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning every core operates on a single thread with no hyper-threading. The 245K's L1 cache is 192 KB per core, and its L2 cache is 3 MB per core, while the 251E has 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core. The 251E compensates with a larger L3 cache: 36 MB shared, compared to the 245K's 24 MB shared.
Memory support diverges. The 251E supports DDR4 and DDR5 across a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The 245K supports only DDR5 across a dual-channel bus but achieves 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth. Both processors support ECC memory, which is unusual for desktop parts and useful for error-sensitive workloads.
PCIe connectivity differs in lane count. The 251E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the 245K provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The 245K therefore has more headroom for multiple high-bandwidth devices such as NVMe storage or GPUs.
The integrated graphics solutions differ as well. The 251E uses UHD Graphics 770, a familiar Intel iGPU design. The 245K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, a newer architecture that typically delivers stronger graphics performance.
Socket compatibility separates the two. The 251E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the 245K uses Intel Socket 1851. These are not interchangeable, so platform choice locks in one processor or the other.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
Because the 251E has no recorded benchmark scores, the head-to-head comparison relies entirely on the 245K's results and the structural differences between the two parts. The 245K's average benchmark score is 54053, which places it 0.7% above the Intel Xeon 6505P, 0.8% above the Intel Core i7-14700F, and 1.1% above the Intel Xeon Phi 7290. It trails the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D by 1.3%. These nearest rival deltas show that the 245K sits in a tightly contested performance band where small percentage differences separate the top contenders.
The 245K's Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 3850 and single-core score of 322 show a balanced profile. Its Cinebench R20 results continue that pattern: 15368 multi-core and 2169 single-core. The Cinebench R23 results of 25066 multi-core and 2132 single-core confirm that the processor scales well when all cores are active.
PassMark results for the 245K cover specialized workloads. Data compression scores 458817, data encryption scores 33286, and extended instructions score 37617. Integer math scores 98524, floating point math scores 130678, and find prime numbers scores 414. Random string sorting scores 55098, and physics scores 3081. The single-thread PassMark score of 4714 appears twice in the database under slightly different test names, confirming consistency.
The 251E's lack of benchmark data means no direct score comparison is possible. However, the 245K's 91st percentile ranking versus the 251E's 50th percentile ranking indicates that the 245K is expected to outperform the 251E in most measured workloads. The 251E's advantage lies in its 24 cores and 32 threads, which could benefit heavily parallel workloads if the software scales beyond 14 threads, but no recorded data confirms this.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores?
A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads. The 251E offers a 10-core advantage and 18 additional threads.
Q: What is the performance ranking of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K?
A: The 245K holds the 91st percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 54053. It 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%.
Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?
A: Yes. Both the Intel Core 7 251E and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K support ECC memory, a feature typically associated with workstation or server platforms.
Q: What memory types does each processor support?
A: The Intel Core 7 251E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, with the 251E offering 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth and the 245K offering 102.4 GB/s.
Q: Which processor uses a more advanced manufacturing process?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is built on TSMC's 3 nm process. The Intel Core 7 251E is built on Intel's 10 nm process. The 245K also contains 17,800 million transistors, while the 251E has no listed transistor count.
Q: Are the two processors socket-compatible?
A: No. The Intel Core 7 251E uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K uses Intel Socket 1851. They require different motherboards.
Specification Differences
The following specifications differ between the Intel Core 7 251E and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K:
Cores and threads: The 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads. The 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads.
Clock speeds: The 251E has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The 245K has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz.
TDP: The 251E is rated at 65 watts. The 245K is rated at 125 watts.
Socket: The 251E uses Intel Socket 1700. The 245K uses Intel Socket 1851.
Process node: The 251E uses Intel's 10 nm process. The 245K uses TSMC's 3 nm process.
Transistors: The 251E has no listed transistor count. The 245K has 17,800 million transistors.
Die size: The 251E measures 257 mm². The 245K measures 243 mm².
L1 cache: The 251E has 80 KB per core. The 245K has 192 KB per core.
L2 cache: The 251E has 2 MB per core. The 245K has 3 MB per core.
L3 cache: The 251E has 36 MB shared. The 245K has 24 MB shared.
Memory support: The 251E supports DDR4 and DDR5. The 245K supports only DDR5.
Memory bandwidth: The 251E provides 89.6 GB/s. The 245K provides 102.4 GB/s.
PCIe lanes: The 251E provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The 245K provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.
Integrated graphics: The 251E uses UHD Graphics 770. The 245K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 EU.
Unlocked multiplier: The 251E is multiplier-locked. The 245K has an unlocked multiplier.
Release date: The 251E launched on 2025-01-12. The 245K launched on 2024-10-23.
Launch MSRP: The 251E has a launch MSRP of $384. The 245K has a launch MSRP of $319.