Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus vs Intel Processor 300 Comparison

Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus vs Intel Processor 300

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and the Intel Processor 300 occupy opposite ends of the desktop spectrum. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is a high-core-count Arrow Lake Refresh part aimed at demanding workloads, while the Intel Processor 300 is a dual-core Raptor Lake-S chip for basic computing. Benchmark data reveals a massive performance gulf, but each processor has a clear purpose based on architectural priorities and platform support.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins in every measurable performance category. It records a 93rd percentile score among all CPUs, while the Intel Processor 300 sits at the 50th percentile. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus delivers 18 cores and 18 threads, enabling heavy parallel workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 30,867 dwarfs what a dual-core part can manage. The Processor 300, with 2 cores and 4 threads, is designed for light tasks such as office productivity, web browsing, and media playback.

The Processor 300 wins only in platform simplicity and power efficiency. Its 46 W TDP is substantially lower than the 125 W TDP of the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. For systems where low heat output and modest cooling are priorities, the Processor 300 is the more practical choice. It also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving builders flexibility in memory selection. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports only DDR5, which may require a more expensive platform.

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus also wins in single-threaded performance. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,261 indicates strong per-core capability, while the Processor 300 has no recorded benchmark data in the database. The data shows that the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the clear choice for applications that benefit from both high core counts and fast individual cores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use entirely different designs. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is built on a 3 nm process from TSMC, while the Processor 300 uses Intel's 10 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus belongs to the Arrow Lake Refresh codename and the Core Ultra Series 2, whereas the Processor 300 is based on Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-S codename.

Core and cache configurations differ sharply. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores, 18 threads, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. Each core has 192 KB of L1 cache and 3 MB of L2 cache. The Processor 300 has 2 cores, 4 threads, and only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Its per-core L1 is 80 KB and per-core L2 is 1.25 MB. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus also has a higher base clock of 4.20 GHz versus 3.90 GHz, and it can boost to 5.30 GHz while the Processor 300 has no boost clock listed.

Memory support and bandwidth also diverge. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The Processor 300 supports DDR4 and DDR5 but has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported only on the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. PCIe lanes differ as well: the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus provides 20 CPU lanes of Gen 5, while the Processor 300 provides 16 Gen 5 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, a more capable iGPU. The Processor 300 uses UHD Graphics 710, which is suitable for basic display output but not for demanding graphics tasks. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the Processor 300 is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons between the two processors. However, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has extensive benchmark results, and its percentile ranking provides context. It scores 4,640 in Cinebench R15 multicore, 18,442 in Cinebench R20 multicore, and 30,867 in Cinebench R23 multicore. Single-core scores are 328, 2,603, and 2,261 in the same respective tests.

PassMark results reinforce the multicore dominance. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 515,96 in PassMark multithread, 568,721 in data compression, and 162,692 in floating point math. Integer math scores 125,091, and extended instructions reach 44,565. Single-thread PassMark is 4,757. The Processor 300 has no recorded benchmark scores, so direct numerical comparison is impossible.

The nearest rivals to the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus illustrate its competitive position. The AMD EPYC 4465P has an average score of 66,925, only 0.1% higher. The Intel Xeon 6515P averages 67,006, 0.2% higher. The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX averages 67,469, 0.9% higher. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, a slightly different variant, averages 66,159, which is 1.1% lower. These deltas show the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus sits within a tight cluster of high-end desktop and workstation processors.

The Processor 300's 50th percentile ranking places it in the middle of all CPUs, but the lack of benchmark data means its absolute performance cannot be quantified from the database. The architectural gap is clear: 18 cores versus 2 cores, 30 MB versus 6 MB L3 cache, and a 3 nm node versus 10 nm. These differences dictate the performance separation.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The Intel Processor 300 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the clock speed difference?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The Processor 300 has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and no listed boost clock.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports ECC memory. The Intel Processor 300 does not.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports DDR5 only. The Processor 300 supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Are the processors overclockable?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The Processor 300 has a locked multiplier.

Q: What are the integrated graphics solutions?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The Processor 300 uses UHD Graphics 710.

The Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the superior processor for any workload that scales with core count or demands high per-core performance. Its 93rd percentile ranking, 18 cores, and 5.30 GHz boost clock make it suitable for content creation, software compilation, and multi-threaded applications. The nearest rival data shows it is competitive with AMD EPYC and Intel Xeon workstation parts, trailing them by less than 1%. The 250K Plus also provides ECC memory support and a more capable integrated GPU.

The Intel Processor 300 is for users who prioritize low power consumption and platform flexibility. Its 46 W TDP is less than half that of the 250K Plus, and its DDR4 and DDR5 support allows reuse of existing memory. The 2-core, 4-thread configuration is adequate for basic desktop tasks, and the 50th percentile ranking confirms it performs at the median level. It is not designed for heavy parallel workloads.

The choice depends on workload type. For maximum compute throughput, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the clear winner. For a simple, low-power desktop system, the Processor 300 meets basic needs without the overhead of a high-core-count platform. The data does not support any other conclusion.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus | Intel Processor 300 |

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

| Cores | 18 | 2 |

| Threads | 18 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 4.20 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.30 GHz | Not listed |

| TDP | 125 W | 46 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1851 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

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

| L2 Cache | 3 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 30 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 115.2 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU | UHD Graphics 710 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $199 | $82 |