Intel Core Ultra 5 245 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX are two closely related processors that share a surprising amount of DNA, yet they are aimed at fundamentally different platforms. Both are 14-core parts built on the same Arrow Lake architecture and TSMC 3 nm process, but the data reveals a clear split: the desktop-oriented 245 wins the majority of benchmark comparisons, while the mobile 245HX counters in a few specific workloads. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the 245 at 48995 and the 245HX at 48287, a gap of just over 1%. This suggests that the choice between them is less about raw performance and more about the platform, power envelope, and specific workload characteristics that each chip brings to the table.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is the better performer in the vast majority of tested scenarios. It wins 13 out of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including every single Cinebench test across R15, R20, and R23. The desktop chip leads by a consistent margin of 1.7% to 1.8% in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests, showing a uniform advantage in rendering and CPU-intensive tasks. For users prioritizing all-around compute performance, particularly in professional rendering or multi-threaded workloads, the 245 is the clear choice based on benchmark results.

However, the 245HX is not without its merits. It wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 4481 compared to the 245's 4394, a 1.9% advantage. It also edges out the desktop part in PassMark integer math (92150 vs 91187, a 1% lead) and floating-point math (120735 vs 120548, a 0.2% lead). These wins suggest that the mobile chip has a slight edge in specific arithmetic and single-threaded integer operations, which could translate to snappier response in certain lightly-threaded applications. The 245HX also features an unlocked multiplier, offering overclocking potential that the locked 245 lacks, making it an intriguing option for enthusiasts on mobile platforms. For a laptop user who values single-thread responsiveness and is willing to tweak settings, the 245HX presents a compelling case. For everyone else, the 245's broader benchmark dominance makes it the safer bet.

Architecture Differences

Despite sharing the Arrow Lake architecture, the "S" and "HX" variants diverge in several key ways. Both chips are built on the same 3 nm TSMC process and feature identical transistor counts of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm². The core configuration is also the same: 14 cores and 14 threads, with no hyperthreading. Cache hierarchies are identical as well, with 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

The critical architectural difference lies in the platform and power delivery. The 245 is a desktop processor for Intel Socket 1851, with a 65 W TDP, while the 245HX is a mobile part for Intel BGA 2114, with a lower 55 W TDP. The desktop chip has a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz compared to the mobile part's 3.10 GHz, although both share the same 5.10 GHz boost clock. The integrated graphics also differ: the 245 features an Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, while the 245HX comes with a 48EU variant. Interestingly, the desktop 245 supports ECC memory, while the mobile 245HX does not. Both support DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth and offer the same PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The 245HX has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the 245 is locked, and the release dates are close, with the 245 launching on 2025-01-06 and the 245HX on 2025-01-12.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz, which is higher than the 245HX's 3.10 GHz. Both parts share the same 5.10 GHz boost clock.

Q: Do both chips support the same amount of L3 cache?

A: Yes, both the 245 and 245HX feature 24 MB of shared L3 cache, along with identical per-core L1 and L2 cache configurations.

Q: Is there a difference in ECC memory support?

A: Yes, the desktop Intel Core Ultra 5 245 supports ECC memory, while the mobile Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX does not.

Q: Which chip offers overclocking capabilities?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking, whereas the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is multiplier-locked.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The 245 features an Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, while the 245HX comes with a less powerful Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU.

Q: What are the market segments for these two processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is designated for the Desktop market segment, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX is designated for the Mobile market segment.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 5 245 | Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX |

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

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1851 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Codename | Arrow Lake-S | Arrow Lake-HX |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU |

| ECC Memory Support | Yes | No |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2025-01-06 | 2025-01-12 |

| Launch MSRP | $270 | N/A |

| Part Number | SRVFE | SRVFM |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a pattern of narrow but consistent wins for the desktop chip. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 245 scores 32924 against the 245HX's 32358, a 1.7% advantage. The single-core R23 test shows a similar gap: 4648 vs 4568, a 1.8% lead. This consistency extends across the older Cinebench versions, with R20 multi-core showing 13828 vs 13590 (1.8%) and R15 multi-core showing 3318 vs 3261 (1.7%). The desktop part also wins PassMark multi-thread (38706 vs 38069, 1.7%) and physics (2569 vs 2526, 1.7%).

The largest single victory for the 245 comes in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 33304 against the 245HX's 31212, a substantial 6.7% lead. This suggests a significant advantage in workloads that utilize advanced SIMD and other extended instruction sets. The desktop chip also shows a notable win in random string sorting, scoring 49140 vs 47616, a 3.2% margin. Data compression also favors the 245, with a score of 400942 vs 393071, a 2% lead.

The 245HX's victories are fewer but notable. Its biggest win is in PassMark single-thread, where it scores 4481 vs 4394, a 1.9% advantage. It also wins in integer math (92150 vs 91187, 1%) and floating-point math (120735 vs 120548, 0.2%). These wins are smaller in magnitude than the 245's largest victory, but they indicate that the mobile chip is not simply a downgrade in every respect. The data shows a nuanced picture: the desktop part dominates in most multi-threaded and instruction-heavy workloads, while the mobile part has a slight edge in certain single-threaded arithmetic tests.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is the winner in rendering, multi-threaded productivity, and instruction-heavy tasks. Its sweep of all Cinebench tests makes it the recommended choice for video editing, 3D rendering, and software compilation, where multi-core performance is paramount. The massive 6.7% lead in extended instructions further cements its position for scientific computing, cryptography, and other workloads that leverage advanced CPU instructions. The desktop chip's wins in data compression and random string sorting also point to advantages in database operations and file archiving.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX, while losing the overall benchmark war, claims victory in specific areas that matter for certain users. Its 1.9% lead in PassMark single-thread performance suggests it may offer slightly better responsiveness in everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and light coding, where single-core speed is often the bottleneck. The wins in integer and floating-point math, while marginal, indicate that the mobile chip holds its own in numerical simulations and financial modeling. The unlocked multiplier is a significant qualitative advantage, allowing enthusiasts to potentially close or reverse the performance gap through overclocking, though the benchmark data does not reflect this potential. For a mobile user who values single-thread responsiveness and overclocking headroom over multi-core brute force, the 245HX is the data-backed choice.