Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K: The Future of Mid-Range Performance in 2025
Introduction: Why the Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K Is a Game-Changer
The tech world is buzzing with the release of Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K, Intel’s latest entry in the Ultra 5 series for 2025. Built on the advanced Intel 4 (7nm EUV) architecture and designed for hybrid workloads, the Ultra 5 245K offers impressive performance gains, cutting-edge integrated AI, and top-tier gaming support — all at a mid-range price.
If you’re a gamer, content creator, or just looking to build a modern PC with excellent multitasking capabilities, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is one of the most balanced and efficient chips you can buy this year.
Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K: Key Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Intel 4 (Meteor Lake) Hybrid |
| Cores / Threads | 14 Cores (6P + 8E) / 18 Threads |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz |
| Max Turbo Boost | Up to 5.0 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24MB |
| Integrated GPU | Intel Arc Xe-LPG (8 Xe-cores) |
| AI Engine | Intel NPU 1.0 |
| Socket Type | LGA 1851 |
| TDP (Base/Max Turbo) | 65W / ~125W |
| Overclockable | Yes (Unlocked “K” SKU) |
| Memory Support | DDR5-5600 / LPDDR5x |
| PCIe Version | PCIe 5.0 + 4.0 |
| Launch Date | Q2 2025 |
Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K Performance Benchmarks
The Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K has been benchmarked across various real-world scenarios, and the results are impressive for its class.
Cinebench R23 Scores:
- Single-Core: ~1970 pts
- Multi-Core: ~17200 pts
Geekbench 6:
- Single-Core: ~2850
- Multi-Core: ~13500
Gaming Performance (paired with RTX 4070):
- GTA 6 (1080p Ultra): 100–120 FPS
- Call of Duty: MW3 (1440p): 90–110 FPS
- Cyberpunk 2077 (Ray Tracing Ultra, DLSS): 80–95 FPS
Thanks to the hybrid core design, the Ultra 5 245K delivers both high single-core speed for gaming and efficient multi-threading for productivity.
Intel Core i5 14400F vs AMD Ryzen 5
AI and NPU Integration in Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K
One of the standout features in the Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K is the integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI workloads. This marks a significant evolution, making it the first mid-range CPU to bring native AI acceleration for:
- Real-time video upscaling
- Background blur & noise reduction in Zoom/Teams
- AI-assisted photo editing (Adobe, Topaz AI)
- Local AI models and LLMs (e.g., ChatGPT-based apps)
The Intel NPU offloads AI inference tasks from CPU/GPU, improving battery efficiency and thermal management — ideal for future AI-integrated apps.
Integrated Graphics: Intel Arc Xe-LPG
For users without a discrete GPU, the Intel Arc integrated graphics inside the Core Ultra 5 245K offers surprisingly capable performance:
- Counter-Strike 2 (1080p Medium): 75–90 FPS
- Valorant (1080p High): 100+ FPS
- League of Legends: 120+ FPS
It’s not a replacement for an RTX 4060, but it’s more than capable for light gaming, video playback, and casual esports.
Power Efficiency and Thermal Management
Thanks to the Intel 4 process, the Ultra 5 245K achieves higher performance per watt than the previous generation. The chip intelligently shifts between Performance cores (P-Cores) and Efficient cores (E-Cores) depending on the workload.
- Idle Power Usage: ~12W
- Gaming Load: ~90W
- Productivity Load (Premiere Pro, Blender): ~105–115W
The thermal output is manageable with a mid-tier air cooler or any 240mm AIO. No need for extreme cooling unless you’re overclocking.
Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K vs AMD Ryzen 7 8700F
| Feature | Intel Ultra 5 245K | AMD Ryzen 7 8700F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14C / 18T | 8C / 16T |
| Base / Boost Clock | 3.4 / 5.0 GHz | 3.8 / 5.1 GHz |
| Integrated GPU | Arc Xe | None (dGPU required) |
| AI Engine | Intel NPU | Ryzen AI (limited) |
| Overclocking | Yes | Limited |
| Power Draw | 65W – 125W | 65W – 120W |
| Performance (Gaming) | Slightly higher | Comparable |
Verdict: For AI and iGPU users, the Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K provides better value and features. If you’re gaming with a discrete GPU only, the two are close — but Intel leads with NPU support.
Who Should Buy the Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K?
✅ Gamers – Excellent single-thread performance, supports high FPS with RTX 4000 or Radeon 7000 GPUs.
✅ Content Creators – Renders and encodes fast, ideal for Adobe and Blender users.
✅ Developers – Multi-threading, AVX512, and AI acceleration make it a strong option.
✅ Streamers – Can stream and game simultaneously without stutter.
✅ Future-Proof Builders – With LGA 1851 socket and PCIe 5.0, you’re covered for upcoming GPUs and SSDs.
Compatible Motherboards for Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K
The Ultra 5 245K uses the LGA 1851 socket, and it works with Intel 800-series chipsets, such as:
- Z890 – Ideal for overclockers and gamers.
- B860 – Budget-friendly, supports most features.
- H810 – Entry-level, limited IO.
For full performance, go with Z890 motherboards that support DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5 SSDs and GPUs.
Best RAM and GPU Pairing Suggestions
- RAM:
- 32GB DDR5 6000MHz CL36 is the sweet spot
- Brands: Corsair, G.SKILL, Kingston Fury
- GPU Pairings:
- RTX 4060 Ti / RX 7700 XT for 1080p/1440p
- RTX 4070 / 7800 XT for max settings at 1440p
- RTX 4080 Super if you’re pushing 4K with ray tracing
Price and Availability
As of mid-2025, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is available globally at:
- MSRP: ~$299
- Real Market Price: $280–$320
- Available on: Amazon, Newegg, Micro Center, Best Buy, and AliExpress.
Conclusion: Is Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K Worth It in 2025?
Absolutely. The Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K offers a rare combination of performance, efficiency, AI acceleration, and gaming support at a competitive price. Whether you’re building a budget-friendly gaming rig or a creator workstation, this CPU delivers rock-solid performance and future-readiness.
With its strong integrated GPU, unlocked multiplier, and support for next-gen platforms, the Ultra 5 245K is not just another mid-tier chip — it’s a smart investment for anyone looking to build or upgrade a PC in 2025.
FAQ: Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K
Q1: Does Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 245K support overclocking?
Yes. Being a “K” series CPU, it is fully unlocked and supports manual overclocking.
Q2: Can I use DDR4 RAM with the 245K?
No. It supports DDR5 and LPDDR5x only, for better bandwidth and power efficiency.
Q3: Is the integrated GPU good for gaming?
It handles 1080p esports titles and media tasks well, but for AAA gaming, pair it with a dedicated GPU.
Q4: Is this CPU good for AI tools like local ChatGPT or Stable Diffusion?
Yes. The integrated Intel NPU accelerates AI workloads while reducing CPU/GPU strain.
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