Intel Core 7 360 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Comparison
Intel Core 7 360
Core Ultra 5 245K
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 7 360 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
Where Each One Wins
The benchmark database paints a strikingly one-sided picture in raw performance. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, with no benchmark victories recorded for the Intel Core 7 360. The single-threaded gaps are comparatively modest, while the multi-threaded and workload-specific gaps are enormous, confirming that the two chips occupy entirely different performance tiers.
The Intel Core 7 360 is a mobile part with 6 cores and 6 threads, a 1.50 GHz base clock, and a 4.80 GHz boost clock. Its 15 W TDP places it firmly in the low-power mobile segment. The data shows it delivers competitive single-thread performance for its class, trailing the Core Ultra 5 245K by only 9.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core and 9.3% in Passmark single-thread. In the Passmark single-thread test, the Core 7 360 scores 4274 against 4714, a small enough delta that in everyday lightly-threaded tasks the difference would be subtle.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K, by contrast, is a desktop part with 14 cores and 14 threads, a 4.20 GHz base clock, and a 5.20 GHz boost clock. It sits in the 91st percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Core 7 360 sits in the 72nd percentile. The average benchmark score difference is dramatic: 54053 for the Ultra 5 245K versus 18374 for the Core 7 360, a roughly 3x gap.
Where the Core 7 360 does have a role is in efficiency-focused mobile systems. The database records a 15 W TDP against the Ultra 5 245K's 125 W TDP, and the Core 7 360 uses single-channel memory with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth versus dual-channel 102.4 GB/s on the Ultra 5 245K. For thin-and-light laptops where sustained performance under power limits matters more than peak throughput, the Core 7 360's lower power envelope gives it an advantage in thermal headroom.
Architecture Differences
The architectural split between these two processors is fundamental. The Intel Core 7 360 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) generation, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K uses the Arrow Lake architecture and the Arrow Lake-S codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 2 generation.
Both chips are manufactured on a 3 nm process node, but the foundries differ. The Core 7 360 is fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 245K is fabricated by TSMC. The Ultra 5 245K has a disclosed transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm². The Core 7 360 has no recorded transistor or die size data.
Core counts diverge sharply: 6 cores and 6 threads for the Core 7 360 versus 14 cores and 14 threads for the Ultra 5 245K. Neither chip uses hyper-threading, so thread counts equal core counts. The L1 cache is identical at 192 KB per core, but the L2 cache differs: 2.5 MB per core on the Core 7 360 versus 3 MB per core on the Ultra 5 245K. The L3 cache gap is substantial, with 6 MB shared on the Core 7 360 versus 24 MB shared on the Ultra 5 245K.
Memory support differs as well. The Core 7 360 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus, while the Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 only but with a dual-channel bus. The memory bandwidth numbers reflect this: 59.7 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported on the Core 7 360 but is supported on the Ultra 5 245K.
PCIe capabilities are another major differentiator. The Core 7 360 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 5 245K provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). This gives the desktop part substantially more headroom for high-bandwidth peripherals and GPUs.
The integrated graphics also differ. The Core 7 360 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Ultra 5 245K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The sockets are incompatible: the Core 7 360 uses Intel BGA 1516 (mobile), and the Ultra 5 245K uses Intel Socket 1851 (desktop). The Ultra 5 245K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 7 360 does not.
The Verdict
The data supports a clear segmentation. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is the overwhelmingly stronger processor in every measured benchmark. Its 91st percentile ranking versus the 72nd percentile for the Core 7 360, combined with an average benchmark score nearly three times higher, indicates it is the correct choice for any desktop workload where performance is the priority.
The Intel Core 7 360, with its 15 W TDP and mobile socket, is positioned for a different use case entirely. Its 6 cores and single-channel memory are suited to power-constrained mobile devices where the 125 W TDP and desktop socket of the Ultra 5 245K are non-starters. The Core 7 360's relatively close single-thread scores, within 9.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core, suggest that for basic productivity on battery power, the experience would be acceptable.
The recent release date difference is notable: the Core 7 360 has a release date in April 2026, while the Ultra 5 245K was released in October 2024. The newer part is the mobile chip, but the desktop chip remains the performance leader. The launch MSRP of the Core 7 360 is $426, while the Ultra 5 245K has a launch MSRP of $319.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the Intel Core 7 360 has 6 cores and 6 threads.
Q: How do the single-thread performances compare?
A: The Ultra 5 245K leads by 9.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core (2132 versus 1924) and by 9.3% in Passmark single-thread (4714 versus 4274).
Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?
A: The Core 7 360 has 59.7 GB/s with single-channel memory, while the Ultra 5 245K has 102.4 GB/s with dual-channel memory.
Q: Do both processors use the same process node?
A: Both use a 3 nm process node, but the Core 7 360 is fabricated by Intel and the Ultra 5 245K is fabricated by TSMC.
Q: Are the sockets interchangeable?
A: No, the Core 7 360 uses Intel BGA 1516 (mobile) and the Ultra 5 245K uses Intel Socket 1851 (desktop).
Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?
A: The Ultra 5 245K supports ECC memory, while the Core 7 360 does not.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Ultra 5 245K dominates every recorded comparison, but the margins vary considerably by workload type. The largest single gap is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 5 245K scores 414 versus 120, a 71% difference. This indicates a massive advantage in integer-heavy computational loops.
Data compression shows a 68.9% gap, with 458817 versus 142877. Random string sorting follows at 68% (55098 versus 17636). Data encryption shows a 66.5% difference (33286 versus 11164). Extended instructions are 67.1% apart (37617 versus 12390). The floating-point math test shows a 65.6% gap (130678 versus 44963), while integer math is 65.2% apart (98524 versus 34238).
The Cinebench multi-core results show consistent gaps: R15 multicore is 64.3% apart (3850 versus 1374), R20 multicore is 62.7% apart (15368 versus 5726), and R23 multicore is 45.6% apart (25066 versus 13634). Physics in Passmark shows a 60.6% gap (3081 versus 1213), and multithread is 63.9% apart (43047 versus 15544).
The smallest gaps are in single-threaded tests. Cinebench R23 single-core shows only a 9.8% difference (2132 versus 1924), and Passmark single-thread shows 9.3% (4714 versus 4274). Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 40.1% gap (322 versus 193), and R20 single-core shows 62.7% (2169 versus 808). The R15 and R20 single-core deltas are larger than the R23 single-core delta, suggesting the older Cinebench versions amplify the per-core clock and IPC differences between the two chips.
The average benchmark score comparison reinforces the overall picture: 54053 for the Ultra 5 245K versus 18374 for the Core 7 360. The nearest rivals for the Ultra 5 245K include the Intel Xeon 6505P at 53701 (0.7% behind), the Intel Core i7-14700F at 53620 (0.8% behind), and the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D at 54762 (1.3% ahead). The Core 7 360's nearest rivals are clustered tightly: Intel Core i3-13100 at 18380 (0% delta), Intel Core 5 330 at 18345 (0.2% ahead), Intel Core i3-14100 at 18318 (0.3% ahead), and Intel Core 3 305 at 18302 (0.4% ahead).
Specification Differences
The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Core 7 360 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads. Base clocks are 1.50 GHz versus 4.20 GHz, and boost clocks are 4.80 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. TDP is 15 W versus 125 W.
The sockets are entirely different: Intel BGA 1516 for the mobile part and Intel Socket 1851 for the desktop part. The codenames are Wildcat Lake and Arrow Lake-S respectively. The foundry differs: Intel for the Core 7 360 and TSMC for the Ultra 5 245K. The Ultra 5 245K has a disclosed transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while the Core 7 360 has neither recorded.
Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3: L2 is 2.5 MB per core on the Core 7 360 versus 3 MB per core on the Ultra 5 245K, and L3 is 6 MB shared versus 24 MB shared. L1 cache is identical at 192 KB per core.
Memory support is narrower on the desktop part: DDR5 and LPDDR5X with single-channel on the Core 7 360 versus DDR5 only with dual-channel on the Ultra 5 245K. Memory bandwidth is 59.7 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. ECC support is absent on the mobile part and present on the desktop part.
PCIe capabilities are Gen 4 with 6 lanes on the Core 7 360 versus Gen 5 with 20 lanes on the Ultra 5 245K. Integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 with 2 Xe cores versus Arc Xe-LPG with 64 execution units. The market segments are Mobile and Desktop respectively. The Ultra 5 245K has an unlocked multiplier; the Core 7 360 does not. Release dates are April 2026 for the Core 7 360 and October 2024 for the Ultra 5 245K. The part numbers are SAE3E and SRQCT respectively.