Intel Core 7 251E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF Comparison

Intel Core 7 251E and Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF are two distinct desktop processors from Intel, separated by a generation gap and a significant architectural shift. The data shows a clear divergence in design philosophy, with the 251E emphasizing a high core count on a mature process, while the 245KF focuses on efficiency and single-thread performance using a newer fabrication node. Benchmark results indicate that these differences translate into a clear performance hierarchy, with the 245KF holding a substantial advantage in the recorded tests.

FAQ

Q: What is the most significant difference in their design?

A: The most significant difference is the process node and core architecture. The Intel Core 7 251E is built on Intel's 10 nm process and uses the Bartlett Lake architecture, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF is fabricated on a 3 nm process by TSMC and uses the Arrow Lake architecture. This leads to very different core counts and power characteristics.

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: The Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, whereas the Core Ultra 5 245KF has 14 cores and 14 threads. This means the 251E offers more than double the thread count, which is a key factor in its design.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has a higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz, compared to the 5.20 GHz boost clock of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF. However, the 245KF has a higher base clock of 4.20 GHz versus the 251E's 2.10 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory and socket?

A: No, they are on different platforms. The Core 7 251E uses Intel Socket 1700 and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses Intel Socket 1851 and supports only DDR5 memory.

Q: Is there a significant difference in their benchmark performance?

A: Yes, the recorded data shows a large gap. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has a percentile rank of 91 against all CPUs, while the Core 7 251E sits at the 50th percentile. The 245KF also has an average benchmark score of 55093, whereas the 251E has a score of 0 in the database.

Q: What is the difference in their launch MSRP?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has a launch MSRP of $384, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has a launch MSRP of $294.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two processors is profound. The Intel Core 7 251E is based on the Bartlett Lake codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². In contrast, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF uses the Arrow Lake-S codename, fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm process with a die size of 243 mm² and a transistor count of 17,800 million. The shift to a 3 nm process from a 10 nm process represents a major generational leap in manufacturing technology.

The core configurations are starkly different. The 251E packs 24 cores and 32 threads, a configuration that suggests heavy multi-threading capability. The 245KF offers 14 cores and 14 threads, which indicates a design without hyper-threading. This is a fundamental difference in how the processors handle workloads. The cache hierarchy also varies. The 251E features an 80 KB L1 cache and a 2 MB L2 cache per core, with a shared 36 MB L3 cache. The 245KF has a larger per-core cache, with 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2, but a smaller shared L3 cache of 24 MB.

Memory support further separates the platforms. The 251E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, providing a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and supporting ECC memory. The 245KF is limited to DDR5, also dual-channel, but offers a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s and does not support ECC memory. The PCIe capabilities also differ: the 251E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 245KF provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Another notable difference is the integrated graphics. The Core 7 251E includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF has no integrated graphics (N/A). The power envelopes are also distinct, with the 251E rated at a 65 W TDP and the 245KF at a 125 W TDP. The unlock status differs as well, with the 251E having a locked multiplier and the 245KF having an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The benchmark data overwhelmingly favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF. The 245KF achieves a 91st percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the 251E is at the 50th percentile. In the recorded tests, the 245KF delivers an average benchmark score of 55093, which places it in a competitive tier with processors like the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D, which is only 0.6% ahead, and the Intel Core 7 253PQE, which is 1.5% behind.

The data indicates that the Core 7 251E offers no recorded benchmark scores, making a direct performance comparison on specific tests impossible. However, the 245KF's strong scores across Cinebench and Passmark tests demonstrate a clear performance advantage in the database's measurements. The 251E's high core count and thread count suggest it is designed for specific multi-threaded workloads, but the available data does not show it delivering competitive results in the same tests. The 245KF is the clear choice based on recorded performance, offering a higher boost clock, a more advanced process node, and a superior benchmark profile.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet reveals a long list of differences between the two Intel processors. The Intel Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has 14 cores and 14 threads. The base clock is 2.10 GHz for the 251E and 4.20 GHz for the 245KF. The boost clock favors the 251E at 5.60 GHz, compared to the 245KF's 5.20 GHz.

The TDP is another major divider, with the 251E rated at 65 W and the 245KF at 125 W. They use different sockets: the 251E uses Intel Socket 1700, and the 245KF uses Intel Socket 1851. The process node is 10 nm for the 251E and 3 nm for the 245KF. The foundry is Intel for the former and TSMC for the latter. The die size is 257 mm² for the 251E and 243 mm² for the 245KF, with the 245KF having a transistor count of 17,800 million.

Cache sizes differ at every level. The L1 cache is 80 KB per core for the 251E and 192 KB per core for the 245KF. The L2 cache is 2 MB per core for the 251E and 3 MB per core for the 245KF. The shared L3 cache is 36 MB for the 251E and 24 MB for the 245KF. Memory support shows the 251E supporting DDR4 and DDR5, while the 245KF supports only DDR5. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for the 251E and 102.4 GB/s for the 245KF. ECC memory support is present on the 251E but absent on the 245KF. PCIe lanes are 16 for the 251E and 20 for the 245KF. The 251E has integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the 245KF has none. The 251E has a locked multiplier, while the 245KF is unlocked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison is one-sided, as the database contains no benchmark scores for the Intel Core 7 251E. All recorded benchmark data belongs to the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF. The Cinebench tests for the 245KF are particularly strong. In Cinebench R15, it scores 3693 in multi-core and 521 in single-core. In Cinebench R20, the scores are 15391 multi-core and 2172 single-core. The Cinebench R23 results show 36647 in multi-core and 5173 in single-core.

The Passmark tests for the 245KF also show a wide range of performance. Data compression scores 460123, data encryption scores 33381, and extended instructions score 37912. The 245KF also records 416 in the find prime numbers test, 131546 in floating point math, and 98854 in integer math. The multithread score is 43110, physics scores 2998, and random string sorting scores 55206. The single-thread score is 4715.

Since the 251E has no recorded scores in the database, the head-to-head benchmark section cannot show a direct comparison. The absence of data for the 251E is itself a significant finding. The 245KF's scores, such as the 36647 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, represent a high level of performance, and its 91st percentile ranking confirms this. The 251E's 50th percentile ranking, with no benchmark scores, suggests it occupies a different performance tier entirely.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF is the winner in every measured category. Its benchmark scores across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, as well as all Passmark tests, demonstrate superiority in both single-threaded and multi-threaded scenarios. The 245KF's high single-core scores, such as 5173 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 4715 in Passmark single-thread, indicate it is well-suited for tasks that rely on fast single-core performance. Its multi-core scores, including 36647 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, also show strong performance in heavily threaded workloads.

The Intel Core 7 251E, with no recorded benchmark scores, cannot be said to win in any category based on the data. Its higher core count of 24 and thread count of 32 suggest a theoretical advantage in heavily parallel workloads, but the database does not provide evidence of this. The 251E also has a higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz and a lower TDP of 65 W, which could be advantageous in specific scenarios, but these are not reflected in benchmark wins.

The 245KF also wins in platform features, offering a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, more PCIe lanes (20 versus 16), and a smaller die size on a more advanced 3 nm process. The 251E's advantages are limited to its support for DDR4 memory, ECC memory, and integrated graphics, none of which translate into benchmark performance. The data clearly shows the 245KF as the superior processor in terms of recorded performance and overall capability.