Intel Core i5-11600K vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark record shows a near-even split: the Intel Core i5-11600K wins 10 of 19 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V wins 9. Yet the margin patterns reveal two very different performance philosophies. The i5-11600K’s victories are often dominant, sometimes lopsided; the Ultra 7 258V’s wins are typically narrower, though they cover a distinct set of workloads.

The largest single gap belongs to the i5-11600K in Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,552 versus 10,301, a 60.7% advantage. That is a massive delta, and it is not an isolated case. The i5-11600K also leads PassMark integer math by 50.8% (64,664 versus 42,889) and data compression by 37.4% (242,740 versus 176,686). In extended instructions, the i5-11600K is 19.7% ahead (17,615 versus 14,717), and in random string sorting it wins by 29.1% (27,870 versus 21,580). These are throughput-heavy tasks: compression, integer crunching, sorting, and instruction-level parallelism. The i5-11600K’s 12 threads and higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz appear to translate directly into sustained multi-threaded output.

The Ultra 7 258V, by contrast, claims its wins in single-thread and memory-sensitive domains. Its largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers: 185 versus 58, a 68.6% advantage. That is not a typo; the Ultra 7 is nearly three times faster in that specific test. Floating-point math also favors the Ultra 7 by 33.3% (57,372 versus 38,269), and physics simulation by 39.7% (1,565 versus 944). In single-thread PassMark, the Ultra 7 is 16.8% ahead (4,018 versus 3,344), matching its Cinebench R15 single-core win by 17.5% (285 versus 235). Geekbench single-core shows a 6% lead (2,100 versus 1,973), and the Ultra 7 edges out the i5-11600K in Geekbench multi-core by 0.9% (9,325 versus 9,238). Data encryption is another narrow win for the Ultra 7, 9.8% ahead (13,534 versus 12,212).

Notice the asymmetry: the i5-11600K’s wins average much larger deltas, while the Ultra 7 258V’s wins are often small (0.9%, 6%, 9.8%). The only exception is the prime number test, where the Ultra 7 dominates. This suggests the i5-11600K is the stronger all-around compute engine, while the Ultra 7 has specialized strengths in scalar, single-threaded, and floating-point workloads. The net effect on average benchmark score is close: the Ultra 7 258V sits at 20,454 versus the i5-11600K’s 19,786, a difference of about 3.4%, and both CPUs occupy similar percentiles (74th versus 73rd). The average score slightly favors the Ultra 7, but the distribution of wins tells a more complex story.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins more head-to-head tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-11600K wins 10 of 19 tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V wins 9. The overall benchmark record is nearly tied, though the magnitude of wins differs sharply.

Q: What is the single biggest performance gap in the comparison?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 7 258V scores 185 versus 58 for the i5-11600K, a 68.6% advantage. The i5-11600K’s biggest win is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it leads by 60.7% (16,552 versus 10,301).

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in multi-threaded rendering?

A: The i5-11600K wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests: R15 by 4.5% (1,668 versus 1,596.5), R20 by 3.1% (6,951 versus 6,739), and R23 by 60.7%. The R23 gap is enormous and suggests a fundamental difference in sustained multi-core capability.

Q: Does the Ultra 7 258V have any single-thread advantage?

A: Yes, but it is inconsistent. The Ultra 7 leads PassMark single-thread by 16.8% (4,018 versus 3,344) and Cinebench R15 single-core by 17.5% (285 versus 235), but it loses Cinebench R20 single-core by 3.2% (951 versus 981) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 24.8% (1,872 versus 2,336). The i5-11600K actually wins the newer Cinebench single-core tests.

Q: Which CPU performs better in Geekbench?

A: The Ultra 7 258V wins both Geekbench tests: single-core by 6% (2,100 versus 1,973) and multi-core by 0.9% (9,325 versus 9,238). The margins are modest, especially in multi-core.

Q: What does the average benchmark score indicate?

A: The Ultra 7 258V has a higher average benchmark score at 20,454 versus 19,786 for the i5-11600K. Both CPUs rank near the 74th percentile among all CPUs, so they are broadly comparable in overall performance, despite their very different workload profiles.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-11600K is the clear choice for multi-threaded, integer-heavy, and data-processing workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16,552 is 60.7% ahead, and its PassMark integer math score of 64,664 is 50.8% ahead. Data compression (242,740 versus 176,686) and random string sorting (27,870 versus 21,580) also favor the i5-11600K by 37.4% and 29.1%, respectively. Extended instructions (17,615 versus 14,717) round out a portfolio of compute-heavy tasks. If the workload involves rendering, batch processing, compression, or heavy integer arithmetic, the i5-11600K is the stronger performer.

The Ultra 7 258V wins in single-threaded responsiveness, floating-point math, and specialized scalar tasks. Its prime number finding score of 185 is 68.6% ahead, and its floating-point math score of 57,372 is 33.3% ahead. Physics simulation shows a 39.7% edge (1,565 versus 944). PassMark single-thread (4,018 versus 3,344) and Cinebench R15 single-core (285 versus 235) confirm the Ultra 7’s advantage in lightly threaded scenarios. Geekbench single-core (2,100 versus 1,973) and multi-core (9,325 versus 9,238) also fall to the Ultra 7, though by smaller margins. For interactive workloads, scientific floating-point calculations, or encryption (13,534 versus 12,212), the Ultra 7 is the better fit.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ at the most basic level. The i5-11600K has 6 cores and 12 threads; the Ultra 7 258V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are far apart: 3.90 GHz for the i5-11600K versus 2.20 GHz for the Ultra 7. Boost clocks are closer, 4.90 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. The i5-11600K carries a 125 W TDP, while the Ultra 7 258V is rated at 17 W, a massive efficiency gap. Sockets differ entirely: the i5-11600K uses Intel Socket 1200, the Ultra 7 uses Intel BGA 2833. The i5-11600K supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s; the Ultra 7 supports LPDDR5X with dual-channel bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. PCIe lanes also differ: the i5-11600K provides Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while the Ultra 7 provides Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes. The i5-11600K has an unlocked multiplier; the Ultra 7 does not. The i5-11600K is end-of-life and launched with an MSRP of $262; the Ultra 7 is active and has no recorded launch MSRP. Integrated graphics differ as well: UHD Graphics 750 versus Arc 140V.

Architecture Differences

The i5-11600K is built on Rocket Lake, a 14 nm node manufactured by Intel, with a die size of 276 mm². The Ultra 7 258V uses Lunar Lake, a 3 nm node manufactured by TSMC, with no recorded die size. Cache structures diverge significantly. The i5-11600K has 80 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 258V has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and also 12 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the Ultra 7 likely contribute to its single-thread wins, while the shared L3 capacity is identical. The i5-11600K is a desktop part designed for high power and raw throughput; the Ultra 7 is a mobile part designed for low power and efficiency. The process node difference (14 nm versus 3 nm) is stark and explains the TDP gap. The i5-11600K’s 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes support expansion, while the Ultra 7’s 4 Gen 5 lanes are minimal, reflecting its mobile focus. Memory bandwidth is 2.7 times higher on the Ultra 7 (136.5 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s), which aligns with its LPDDR5X support and likely drives its floating-point and encryption wins.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct buyers. The Intel Core i5-11600K is for those who prioritize multi-threaded compute: its Cinebench R23 multi-core lead of 60.7% and PassMark integer math lead of 50.8% are decisive. It wins 10 of 19 tests, and its wins are often large. The 125 W TDP and desktop socket make it suited for a stationary build where power is not a constraint. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for enthusiasts, and its 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes support a full expansion setup.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V is for those who need single-thread responsiveness and efficiency. Its 17 W TDP and 3 nm process node are transformative for mobile workloads, and its 136.5 GB/s memory bandwidth gives it an edge in memory-intensive tasks. It wins 9 of 19 tests, including all PassMark single-thread tests and both Geekbench tests, but its advantages are often smaller than the i5-11600K’s. The prime number test (68.6% ahead) and floating-point math (33.3% ahead) show where it excels, but its Cinebench R23 multi-core deficit of 60.7% is a clear limitation.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (20,454 versus 19,786), and both CPUs sit near the 74th percentile. This is a tie in overall performance, but the tie breaks along workload lines. The i5-11600K is the high-throughput desktop engine; the Ultra 7 258V is the efficient, single-thread-focused mobile processor. Choose the i5-11600K for rendering, compression, and integer-heavy batch work. Choose the Ultra 7 258V for portable use, floating-point calculations, and tasks that reward low power consumption and high memory bandwidth.