Intel Core 7 253PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Comparison
Intel Core 7 253PE
Core Ultra 5 245K
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 7 253PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
The Verdict
The recorded data splits these two Intel desktop processors into distinct roles. The Intel Core 7 253PE is a 10-core, 20-thread part on Socket 1700 with a 65 W TDP. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is a 14-core, 14-thread part on Socket 1851 with a 125 W TDP. The benchmark suite shows the Core Ultra 5 245K winning 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Core 7 253PE takes 3 wins. The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 245K is 54053, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. The Core 7 253PE averages 40557, placing it in the 87th percentile. The Core Ultra 5 245K is the stronger all-around performer in multi-threaded and most single-threaded workloads. The Core 7 253PE is the choice for specific integer math and certain Cinebench R15/R23 single-core tests, where its higher boost clock and different core topology deliver measurable advantages. The data indicates that users prioritizing raw multi-core throughput and modern platform features should select the Core Ultra 5 245K. Users with a Socket 1700 platform, a preference for DDR4 memory support, or workloads that heavily favor integer math should consider the Core 7 253PE. The Core 7 253PE also offers a lower 65 W TDP, which is advantageous for power-constrained builds.
Where Each One Wins
The Core Ultra 5 245K dominates the multi-threaded benchmark landscape. It wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 34.9%, Cinebench R20 multicore by 32%, and Cinebench R23 multicore by 0.7%. The PassMark suite shows similar dominance: multithread wins by 32%, data compression by 26.1%, data encryption by 44.8%, extended instructions by 42%, find prime numbers by 66.7%, floating point math by 38.1%, physics by 40.1%, random string sorting by 40.5%, and single-thread by 16.1%. The Core Ultra 5 245K also wins Cinebench R20 singlecore by 32%. These wins span both integer and floating-point heavy tasks, indicating a broad performance advantage.
The Core 7 253PE wins three tests. Its most significant victory is Cinebench R23 singlecore, where it scores 3512 against 2132, a 64.7% lead. It also wins Cinebench R15 singlecore by 9.9% (354 vs 322) and PassMark integer math by 15.9% (114158 vs 98524). The R23 single-core result is particularly striking, suggesting the Core 7 253PE has a substantial single-thread advantage in that specific workload. The integer math win points to a different execution characteristic in arithmetic-heavy code. The data shows these two processors are not direct substitutes; they excel in different workload families.
Architecture Differences
The Core 7 253PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It has 10 cores and 20 threads, indicating Hyper-Threading support. The Core Ultra 5 245K uses the Arrow Lake-S codename on a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. It has 14 cores and 14 threads, with no Hyper-Threading. The Core Ultra 5 245K uses the Arrow Lake architecture, while the Core 7 253PE belongs to the Core 7 generation. The Core Ultra 5 245K has a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while the Core 7 253PE does not have recorded transistor or die size data.
Cache configurations differ significantly. The Core 7 253PE has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 33 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 245K has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 245K has more L1 and L2 per core, but the Core 7 253PE has more L3 cache overall. Memory support also differs: the Core 7 253PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 only. The Core Ultra 5 245K has a higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s, while the Core 7 253PE records 89.6 GB/s. Both are dual-channel, and both support ECC memory.
PCIe connectivity differs: the Core 7 253PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 245K provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 7 253PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 245K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Core Ultra 5 245K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 7 253PE does not. The Core Ultra 5 245K uses Socket 1851, while the Core 7 253PE uses Socket 1700. The Core Ultra 5 245K has a launch MSRP of $319, while the Core 7 253PE has a launch MSRP of $384. The Core Ultra 5 245K was released on 2024-10-23, while the Core 7 253PE was released on 2026-03-08.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has an average benchmark score of 54053, while the Intel Core 7 253PE has an average benchmark score of 40557. The Core Ultra 5 245K also has a higher percentile rank at 91 versus 87 for the Core 7 253PE.
Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 single-core?
A: The Intel Core 7 253PE wins this test with a score of 3512, which is 64.7% higher than the Core Ultra 5 245K's score of 2132.
Q: What is the core and thread configuration for each processor?
A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads. The Core 7 253PE supports Hyper-Threading, while the Core Ultra 5 245K does not.
Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?
A: The Intel Core 7 253PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 only.
Q: What are the boost clock speeds for each processor?
A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz.
Q: Which processor has the higher TDP?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has a TDP of 125 W, while the Intel Core 7 253PE has a TDP of 65 W.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The largest win for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 414 against 138, a 66.7% advantage. This test is highly sensitive to the Core Ultra 5 245K's core count and architecture. The next biggest win is in PassMark data encryption, with a score of 33286 versus 18385, a 44.8% delta. PassMark extended instructions shows a 42% lead (37617 vs 21806). PassMark physics shows a 40.1% lead (3081 vs 1845). PassMark random string sorting shows a 40.5% lead (55098 vs 32777). PassMark floating point math shows a 38.1% lead (130678 vs 80870). Cinebench R15 multicore shows a 34.9% lead (3850 vs 2507). Cinebench R20 multicore and PassMark multithread both show a 32% lead (15368 vs 10449 and 43047 vs 29271, respectively). Cinebench R20 singlecore shows a 32% lead (2169 vs 1475). PassMark data compression shows a 26.1% lead (458817 vs 339133). PassMark single-thread shows a 16.1% lead (4714 vs 3955). Cinebench R23 multicore shows a narrow 0.7% lead (25066 vs 24880).
The Intel Core 7 253PE wins three tests. Its biggest win is Cinebench R23 singlecore, with a 64.7% lead (3512 vs 2132). This result is remarkable given that the Core Ultra 5 245K wins PassMark single-thread by 16.1%. The discrepancy suggests the Cinebench R23 single-core workload favors the Core 7 253PE's specific frequency and cache behavior. The Core 7 253PE also wins PassMark integer math by 15.9% (114158 vs 98524). This indicates that the Core 7 253PE handles integer arithmetic more efficiently than the Core Ultra 5 245K, despite the latter having more physical cores. The smallest win for the Core 7 253PE is Cinebench R15 singlecore, with a 9.9% lead (354 vs 322). The overall win count is 14 for the Core Ultra 5 245K and 3 for the Core 7 253PE, but the single-core Cinebench results show that the Core 7 253PE is not universally slower.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. Core count: 10 for the Core 7 253PE, 14 for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Thread count: 20 for the Core 7 253PE, 14 for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Base clock: 2.50 GHz for the Core 7 253PE, 4.20 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Boost clock: 5.50 GHz for the Core 7 253PE, 5.20 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 245K. TDP: 65 W for the Core 7 253PE, 125 W for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Socket: Socket 1700 for the Core 7 253PE, Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Codename: Bartlett Lake for the Core 7 253PE, Arrow Lake-S for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Process node: 10 nm for the Core 7 253PE, 3 nm for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Foundry: Intel for the Core 7 253PE, TSMC for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Transistor count: not recorded for the Core 7 253PE, 17,800 million for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Die size: not recorded for the Core 7 253PE, 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 5 245K. L1 cache: 80 KB per core for the Core 7 253PE, 192 KB per core for the Core Ultra 5 245K. L2 cache: 2 MB per core for the Core 7 253PE, 3 MB per core for the Core Ultra 5 245K. L3 cache: 33 MB shared for the Core 7 253PE, 24 MB shared for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Memory support: DDR4 and DDR5 for the Core 7 253PE, DDR5 only for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s for the Core 7 253PE, 102.4 GB/s for the Core Ultra 5 245K. PCIe lanes: 16 for the Core 7 253PE, 20 for the Core Ultra 5 245K, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 7 253PE, Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Multiplier unlocked: false for the Core 7 253PE, true for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Release date: 2026-03-08 for the Core 7 253PE, 2024-10-23 for the Core Ultra 5 245K. Launch MSRP: $384 for the Core 7 253PE, $319 for the Core Ultra 5 245K.