Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245 Comparison

Intel Core 7 251TE and Intel Core Ultra 5 245 are both desktop processors from Intel, but they target different segments of the market. The Core 7 251TE is a 24-core, 32-thread part built on the 10 nm Bartlett Lake architecture, while the Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread part using the 3 nm Arrow Lake-S design. Benchmark data shows a clear overall winner, but the Core 7 251TE has one notable advantage that could matter for specific workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 dominates the head-to-head comparison, winning 16 of 17 recorded benchmarks. The Core 7 251TE wins only a single test, but that win is substantial.

In Cinebench testing, the Core Ultra 5 245 holds a consistent lead across all versions. In Cinebench R15, the Ultra 5 scores 3318 in multi-core versus 2572 for the Core 7, a delta of -22.5% (meaning the Core 7 trails by that margin). The single-core R15 result shows 468 versus 362, also a -22.6% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 13828 versus 10717, again -22.5%, and single-core is 1952 versus 1512, at -22.5%. The pattern continues in Cinebench R23, with the Ultra 5 delivering 32924 multi-core and 4648 single-core, against 25518 and 3602 for the Core 7, both at -22.5% deltas.

PassMark results show a similar story, though the margins vary by workload. In data compression, the Ultra 5 scores 400942 versus 334399, a -16.6% delta. Data encryption shows 30236 versus 22176, a -26.7% gap. The largest single benchmark gap comes in extended instructions, where the Ultra 5 scores 33304 versus 16974, a massive -49% delta. Prime number finding also heavily favors the Ultra 5: 365 versus 140, a -61.6% difference. Floating-point math goes to the Ultra 5 at 120548 versus 85607, a -29% delta. Multi-threaded performance shows 38706 versus 30022, a -22.4% gap, and physics tests show 2569 versus 1938, a -24.6% difference. Random string sorting favors the Ultra 5 at 49140 versus 39643, a -19.3% delta. Single-thread performance is also in the Ultra 5's favor: 4394 versus 3568, an -18.8% gap.

The sole win for the Core 7 251TE is in PassMark integer math. Here the Core 7 scores 125739 against 91187 for the Ultra 5, a 37.9% advantage. This is a substantial lead and indicates a specific strength in integer-heavy computation.

Average benchmark scores reinforce the overall picture. The Core Ultra 5 245 has an average benchmark score of 48995, while the Core 7 251TE averages 41650. The Ultra 5 sits at the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 7 is at the 88th percentile. In the nearest rivals comparison, the Core Ultra 5 245 sits between the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G at -0.4% and the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H at 0.6%, with the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 at -0.5% and the Intel Core i5-14600K at 0.8% nearby. The Core 7 251TE, meanwhile, is closely matched with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H at 0.1%, the Intel Core i7-14650HX at 0.2%, and the Intel Core i7-12850HX at -0.3%, with the Intel Core i7-14700T at -0.6%.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is the stronger processor across the vast majority of workloads. Its consistent 22.5% lead in Cinebench multi-core tests suggests that rendering and content creation tasks will run noticeably faster on this chip. The single-core advantage of 22.5% also carries over to general responsiveness and lightly threaded applications.

The Ultra 5's dominance extends to several specialized PassMark tests. Data compression, with a 16.6% lead, indicates faster archive handling and file operations. Data encryption at 26.7% faster points to better security and VPN performance. The extended instructions test, where the Ultra 5 is 49% ahead, shows a major advantage in SIMD and vectorized workloads. Prime number finding, a 61.6% gap, is a clear indicator of raw integer throughput in certain algorithmic tasks. Floating-point math at 29% faster covers scientific and engineering calculations. Physics simulation at 24.6% faster benefits gaming and modeling applications. Random string sorting at 19.3% faster helps database and text processing.

The Core 7 251TE's only victory, integer math at 37.9% ahead, points to a specific niche. Workloads that are heavily dependent on integer operations, such as certain types of cryptography, financial calculations, or legacy codebases, could see better performance on this chip despite its overall slower results elsewhere.

The Core 7 251TE does bring more cores and threads to the table, with 24 cores and 32 threads versus 14 cores and 14 threads for the Ultra 5. However, the benchmark results show that the Ultra 5's architectural efficiency more than compensates for the lower core count in every measured test except integer math.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 for nearly all use cases. Its 90th percentile ranking versus the Core 7's 88th, combined with a 48995 average score versus 41650, shows a processor that is simply faster in the measurements recorded. For users engaged in rendering, video encoding, scientific computing, or general productivity, the Ultra 5's 22.5% lead in multi-core Cinebench tests and its dominance across PassMark workloads make it the obvious choice.

The Core 7 251TE offers its own strengths. With 24 cores and 32 threads, it has more parallel resources, and its 37.9% lead in integer math is significant. However, this advantage appears only in one specific benchmark. Users who know their software is heavily weighted toward integer operations might find the Core 7 worthwhile, but the evidence suggests this is a narrow niche.

The Ultra 5 also offers a better single-threaded experience, with an 18.8% lead in PassMark single-thread tests and a 22.5% edge in Cinebench R23 single-core. This translates to faster day-to-day operation in most applications that do not scale perfectly across all cores.

For the majority of buyers, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is the superior processor based on the recorded data. The Core 7 251TE only makes sense for specialized workloads that specifically benefit from its integer math performance or its higher core count in scenarios not represented by these benchmarks.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is faster across all recorded multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 32924 versus 25518 for the Core 7 251TE, a 22.5% advantage. PassMark multi-thread shows 38706 versus 30022, also a 22.4% gap.

Q: Does the Core 7 251TE win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Core 7 251TE wins PassMark integer math with a score of 125739 versus 91187 for the Ultra 5, a 37.9% advantage. This is the only benchmark it wins out of 17 recorded tests.

Q: How do their single-core performances compare?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245 leads in single-core performance. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 4648 versus 3602, a 22.5% delta. PassMark single-thread shows 4394 versus 3568, an 18.8% gap.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 5 245 scores 365 versus 140 for the Core 7 251TE, a 61.6% difference. The extended instructions test also shows a large gap at 49%.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 has an average benchmark score of 48995, while the Intel Core 7 251TE averages 41650. The Ultra 5 ranks at the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 7 ranks at the 88th.

Q: Are there specific workloads where the Core 7 251TE might be preferable?

A: Based on the data, the Core 7 251TE could be preferable for integer-heavy workloads, given its 37.9% lead in PassMark integer math. It also has more cores and threads, with 24 cores and 32 threads versus 14 cores and 14 threads, though this does not translate to benchmark wins in the recorded tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different designs. The Intel Core 7 251TE is based on the Bartlett Lake architecture and uses the 10 nm process node, manufactured by Intel. Its die size is 215 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 uses the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-S, and is built on the 3 nm process node at TSMC. Its die size is 243 mm² and it contains 17,800 million transistors.

Cache configurations differ notably. The Core 7 251TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 245 has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 has larger per-core caches but less total L3.

Memory support also diverges. The Core 7 251TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 245 supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Memory bandwidth is higher on the Ultra 5 at 102.4 GB/s, versus 89.6 GB/s for the Core 7. Both processors support ECC memory.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 7 251TE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 5 245 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. PCIe support also varies, with the Core 7 offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and the Ultra 5 offering Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

The processors use different sockets. The Core 7 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 245 uses Intel Socket 1851. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core 7 251TE and Intel Core Ultra 5 245 differ in several key specifications. The Core 7 has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Ultra 5 has 14 cores and 14 threads. Base clocks are 1.40 GHz for the Core 7 and 3.50 GHz for the Ultra 5. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz for the Core 7 and 5.10 GHz for the Ultra 5.

Thermal design power differs, with the Core 7 rated at 45 watts and the Ultra 5 at 65 watts. The Core 7 uses the Bartlett Lake codename from the Core 7 generation, while the Ultra 5 uses Arrow Lake-S from the Ultra 5 generation. Process nodes are 10 nm for the Core 7 (Intel foundry) and 3 nm for the Ultra 5 (TSMC foundry).

Die size is 215 mm² for the Core 7 and 243 mm² for the Ultra 5. The Ultra 5 has a transistor count of 17,800 million, while the Core 7 does not have a recorded transistor count. L1 cache is 80 KB per core for the Core 7 and 192 KB per core for the Ultra 5. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core versus 3 MB per core, and L3 cache is 36 MB shared versus 24 MB shared.

Memory support shows the Core 7 accepting both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 supports only DDR5. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for the Core 7 and 102.4 GB/s for the Ultra 5. PCIe lanes are 16 for the Core 7 and 20 for the Ultra 5, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 for the Core 7 and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for the Ultra 5. The Core 7 uses Socket 1700, the Ultra 5 uses Socket 1851. Part numbers are SRQAXQ5ZG for the Core 7 and SRVFE for the Ultra 5.