Intel Core 7 253PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data records 17 head-to-head comparisons between the Intel Core 7 253PE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF. The Core Ultra 5 245KF wins 16 of those tests, while the Core 7 253PE takes a single victory. The magnitude of the Core Ultra 5 245KF's advantage varies widely depending on the workload.

In Cinebench testing, the Core Ultra 5 245KF posts consistently higher scores across all three versions of the benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 3693 against 2507 for the Core 7 253PE, a delta of -32.1% from the perspective of the Core 7. The single-core R15 test shows the same pattern: 521 versus 354, also a -32.1% delta. Cinebench R20 multicore delivers 15391 against 10449, and R20 single-core shows 2172 versus 1475. Cinebench R23 multicore reaches 36647 versus 24880, with R23 single-core at 5173 versus 3512. Every Cinebench result carries the exact same -32.1% delta, indicating a consistent generational performance gap across the entire benchmark suite.

PassMark results tell a more varied story. The largest single deficit for the Core 7 253PE appears in the find prime numbers test, where it scores 138 against 416 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a -66.8% delta. Data encryption shows 18385 versus 33381, a -44.9% gap. Extended instructions follow at 21806 versus 37912, a -42.5% delta. Random string sorting delivers 32777 versus 55206, a -40.6% gap. Floating point math and physics both show -38.5% deltas, with scores of 80870 versus 131546 and 1845 versus 2998 respectively. Data compression shows 339133 versus 460123, a -26.3% gap. Multithread performance sits at 29271 versus 43110, a -32.1% delta. Single-thread results show 3955 versus 4715, a -16.1% gap, the smallest deficit for the Core 7 253PE in any PassMark test.

The one test the Core 7 253PE wins is PassMark integer math. It scores 114158 against 98854 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a +15.5% advantage. This result stands out because it contradicts the overall trend. The Core 7 253PE's higher thread count appears to benefit integer-heavy workloads, even though its architectural lineage is older.

The average benchmark score in the database places the Core Ultra 5 245KF at 55093, compared to 40557 for the Core 7 253PE. The Core Ultra 5 245KF also holds a higher percentile rank against all CPUs at 91, versus 87 for the Core 7 253PE. The nearest rival data for the Core Ultra 5 245KF includes the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D at 54762 with a +0.6% delta, the Intel Core 7 253PQE at 55919 with a -1.5% delta, the Intel Core i9-14900HX at 56004 with a -1.6% delta, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K at 54053 with a +1.9% delta. For the Core 7 253PE, nearest rivals include the Intel Core 5 223PE at 40585 with a -0.1% delta, the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H at 40518 with a +0.1% delta, the Intel Xeon 6357P at 40630 with a -0.2% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7940H at 40431 with a +0.3% delta.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 245KF dominates nearly every measured workload category. Its wins span Cinebench rendering tests, PassMark data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, multithread performance, physics simulation, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. The consistency of these wins suggests a broad performance advantage rather than specialization in a narrow niche.

The Core 7 253PE's single win in integer math indicates a specific strength in workloads that rely heavily on integer operations. With 20 threads versus 14 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF, the Core 7 253PE can distribute integer work across more simultaneous threads. The +15.5% delta in that test is substantial and indicates that the extra threads provide real benefit in this particular workload.

The largest gaps favor the Core Ultra 5 245KF. The find prime numbers test shows a -66.8% delta, meaning the Core 7 253PE scores roughly one-third of the Core Ultra 5 245KF's result. Data encryption and extended instructions also show very large gaps at -44.9% and -42.5% respectively. These workloads appear to benefit heavily from the newer architecture and higher per-core throughput of the Core Ultra 5 245KF.

Single-thread performance shows the smallest gap at -16.1%. The Core 7 253PE's boost clock of 5.50 GHz is higher than the Core Ultra 5 245KF's 5.20 GHz, which helps close the per-core gap. However, the newer architecture still prevails in single-thread workloads, albeit by a narrower margin than in multithreaded tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use different manufacturing processes. The Core 7 253PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel. The Core Ultra 5 245KF uses the Arrow Lake-S codename and a 3 nm process node manufactured by TSMC. The Core Ultra 5 245KF belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, while the Core 7 253PE has no series designation in the database.

The core and thread counts differ significantly. The Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF has 14 cores and 14 threads. The Core Ultra 5 245KF has more physical cores but no hyperthreading, resulting in fewer total threads. The Core 7 253PE uses hyperthreading to double its thread count.

Cache layouts also differ. The Core 7 253PE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 245KF has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 245KF has more L1 and L2 cache per core, while the Core 7 253PE has more total L3 cache.

Clock speeds favor the Core 7 253PE in boost frequency. The Core 7 253PE has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 245KF has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 245KF has a much higher base clock, while the Core 7 253PE has a slightly higher boost clock.

Power and thermal design differ substantially. The Core 7 253PE has a TDP of 65, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF has a TDP of 125. The Core 7 253PE is a locked processor with no unlocked multiplier, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF has an unlocked multiplier.

Memory support and bandwidth differ. The Core 7 253PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel access and a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 245KF supports only DDR5 with dual-channel access and a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The Core 7 253PE supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF does not.

PCIe connectivity differs: the Core 7 253PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The Core 7 253PE includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF has no integrated graphics.

Sockets differ as well. The Core 7 253PE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses Intel Socket 1851. Release dates show the Core 7 253PE launching later in the database record, with the Core Ultra 5 245KF having an earlier release date.

The Core Ultra 5 245KF carries a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm². The Core 7 253PE has no recorded transistor count or die size in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF's boost clock of 5.20 GHz.

Q: Does the Core 7 253PE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Core 7 253PE supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 245KF does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Core 7 253PE has 20 threads across 10 cores, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF has 14 threads across 14 cores.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors in the recorded benchmarks?

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 5 245KF scores 416 against 138 for the Core 7 253PE, a -66.8% delta.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core 7 253PE includes UHD Graphics 730. The Core Ultra 5 245KF has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245KF has an average benchmark score of 55093, while the Core 7 253PE has an average benchmark score of 40557.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification field. The Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF has 14 cores and 14 threads. Base clock speeds are 2.50 GHz for the Core 7 253PE and 4.20 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 245KF. Boost clocks are 5.50 GHz and 5.20 GHz respectively. TDP values are 65 for the Core 7 253PE and 125 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF.

Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 7 253PE versus Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF. The Core 7 253PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm Intel process. The Core Ultra 5 245KF uses the Arrow Lake-S codename on a 3 nm TSMC process. The Core Ultra 5 245KF records 17,800 million transistors and a 243 mm² die size; the Core 7 253PE has no recorded values.

Cache configurations differ per core. The Core 7 253PE has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 33 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 245KF has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3.

Memory support shows the Core 7 253PE accepting DDR4 and DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF accepts only DDR5 with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the Core 7 253PE but not on the Core Ultra 5 245KF. PCIe lanes from the CPU number 16 for the Core 7 253PE and 20 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF, both Gen 5.

Integrated graphics are present on the Core 7 253PE as UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF has none. The Core 7 253PE has a locked multiplier; the Core Ultra 5 245KF is unlocked. Release dates differ, with the Core Ultra 5 245KF appearing earlier in the database. The launch MSRP for the Core 7 253PE is $384. The launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 5 245KF is $294. Part numbers also differ: SA4QE for the Core 7 253PE and SRQCY for the Core Ultra 5 245KF. Both processors target the desktop market segment and both are listed as active in production status.