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

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF records an average benchmark score of 55093, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 7 253PTE averages 34962, which corresponds to the 84th percentile.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF scores 36647 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 41.9% higher than the Intel Core 7 253PTE's 21276. This is the single largest multi-threaded gap between the two in the Cinebench suite.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Intel Core 7 253PTE wins?

A: Yes, the Core 7 253PTE wins PassMark integer math with a score of 119552, beating the Core Ultra 5 245KF's 98854 by 20.9%. It also holds a narrow 0.2% advantage over the AMD Ryzen 5 150 in the overall nearest-rival comparison.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PTE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PTE reaches a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, which is higher than the Core Ultra 5 245KF's 5.20 GHz. The Core 7 also has a lower base clock at 1.80 GHz versus 4.20 GHz.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PTE is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF uses TSMC's 3 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 also integrates 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, whereas the Core 7 does not list transistor or die size data.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different architectural generations and underlying design philosophies. The Intel Core 7 253PTE belongs to the Bartlett Lake family and uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform. Its codename is Bartlett Lake, and it is part of the Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) generation. The Core Ultra 5 245KF is built on the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-S, and uses the newer Intel Socket 1851. It belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation.

The core and thread configurations differ substantially. The Core 7 253PTE provides 10 cores and 20 threads, indicating Hyper-Threading support. The Core Ultra 5 245KF provides 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning it operates without simultaneous multi-threading. Despite having fewer threads, the Core Ultra 5 delivers significantly higher multi-threaded scores in the database.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 7 253PTE uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 245KF uses 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 3 MB of L2 cache per core, but only 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the Core Ultra 5 help with single-threaded responsiveness, while the Core 7's larger shared L3 may benefit workloads that rely on a bigger unified pool.

The manufacturing process separates the two clearly. The Core 7 253PTE is built on Intel's 10 nm node, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses TSMC's 3 nm node. The Core Ultra 5 also reports 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, whereas the Core 7 lists no transistor count or die size. This process advantage contributes to the Core Ultra 5's higher clock efficiency and lower latency per instruction.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core 7 253PTE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, giving it flexibility for older platforms. The Core Ultra 5 245KF supports DDR5 exclusively. The Core Ultra 5 has a higher memory bandwidth rating at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for the Core 7. The Core 7 supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 5 does not.

PCIe connectivity is another differentiator. The Core 7 253PTE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 245KF provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics also vary: the Core 7 includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 has no integrated graphics (N/A).

The Core Ultra 5 245KF has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking. The Core 7 253PTE has a locked multiplier. The Core 7 carries a launch MSRP of $384, while the Core Ultra 5 was launched at $294. The Core 7 draws a 45 W TDP, while the Core Ultra 5 draws a 125 W TDP.

The Verdict

The database points to the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF as the stronger performer in nearly every recorded workload. It wins 16 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with victories across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, plus PassMark data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, multi-thread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. Its average benchmark score of 55093 places it in the 91st percentile, and it sits close to the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D, which scores 54762, a 0.6% difference. The Core Ultra 5 also leads the Intel Core 7 253PQE by 1.5% and trails the Intel Core i9-14900HX by only 1.6%.

The Intel Core 7 253PTE wins exactly one head-to-head test: PassMark integer math, where its 119552 score beats the Core Ultra 5's 98854 by 20.9%. Outside of that, its best relative showing is in PassMark single-thread, where it trails by 19.5%. Its average score of 34962 puts it in the 84th percentile, near the Intel Core i7-13800H and Intel Core i9-12900HX, both within 0.1%.

For buyers choosing between these two, the Core Ultra 5 245KF is the clear choice for compute-heavy tasks, rendering, encryption, and multi-threaded productivity. The Core 7 253PTE makes sense only for configurations that require DDR4 compatibility, ECC memory support, or a much lower TDP of 45 W versus 125 W. Its integrated graphics could also matter for systems without a discrete GPU. The Core Ultra 5 has no integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is mandatory. The unlocked multiplier on the Core Ultra 5 adds flexibility for overclocking, while the Core 7 is locked.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 253PTE | Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 10 | 14 |

| Threads | 20 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 1.80 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

| Generation | Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) | Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 33 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | N/A |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | $294 |

| Part Number | SA4QK | SRQCY |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 3693 against the Core 7's 2144, a 41.9% margin. The single-core R15 result is 521 versus 302, also a 42% gap. R20 multi-core follows the same pattern: 15391 versus 8935, a 41.9% difference, and R20 single-core shows 2172 versus 1261, again 41.9%. R23 multi-core delivers 36647 versus 21276, and R23 single-core delivers 5173 versus 3003. Both R23 gaps are 41.9%. These consistent margins across all three Cinebench versions indicate a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

PassMark tests reveal where each chip excels. The Core Ultra 5 wins data compression with 460123 against 275828, a 40.1% lead. Data encryption goes to the Core Ultra 5 by a wider margin: 33381 versus 15500, a 53.6% difference. Extended instructions show 37912 versus 17099, a 54.9% gap. The largest single delta is in prime number finding, where the Core Ultra 5 scores 416 versus the Core 7's 82, a massive 80.3% difference. Floating point math favors the Core Ultra 5 at 131546 versus 67209, a 48.9% gap. The Core Ultra 5 also wins multi-thread with 43110 versus 25031, a 41.9% margin, and physics with 2998 versus 1318, a 56% gap. Random string sorting goes to the Core Ultra 5 at 55206 versus 28227, another 48.9% gap.

The Core 7 253PTE's only head-to-head victory is PassMark integer math, where it posts 119552 against the Core Ultra 5's 98854. That 20.9% margin is substantial and indicates that the Core 7's thread configuration, 20 threads versus 14, helps in this specific integer-heavy workload. The Core Ultra 5 still holds a 19.5% lead in PassMark single-thread, scoring 4715 versus 3794, which underscores its per-core efficiency advantage despite the Core 7's higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz versus 5.20 GHz.

Overall, the data shows a processor that wins 16 of 17 tests by margins ranging from 19.5% to 80.3%, versus one that wins a single test by 20.9%. The Core Ultra 5's 91st percentile ranking and its proximity to the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D (0.6% difference) place it in a higher performance tier. The Core 7 253PTE, at the 84th percentile, sits alongside mobile H-series chips like the Intel Core i7-13800H and Intel Core i9-12900HX, both within 0.1% of its average score.