Intel

Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 245K 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) up to 5.2 GHz

Name: Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 245K 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) up to 5.2 GHz
Brand: Intel
SKU: B0DFK2P311

4.6(138 reviews)

mid range$150-$29950+ bought in past month

#55 in Computer CPU Processors

ghz

5.2 GHz

brand

Intel

cores

model

Core i5

speed

5.2 GHz

socket

FCLGA1851

weight

2.8 ounces

threads

14 thread

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AI Verdict

A 14-core (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) 5.2 GHz unlocked processor for LGA1851 motherboards, best for multi-threaded productivity, not gaming.

Situational Fit

This processor is a situational fit, offering strong multi-threaded performance and improved efficiency over its predecessor, making it suitable for productivity tasks. However, its disappointing gaming performance and the requirement for a new LGA1851 motherboard limit its appeal for many users.

If gaming is your priority, look for CPUs with stronger gaming benchmarks, even if they have fewer cores or a slightly lower clock speed.

Regret Score™

Medium Risk

Lower is better — measures purchase-regret risk from real buyer complaints, review credibility, and product maturity

31/100

vs. 160 Processors we've analyzedSafer than 60%

Hidden Defects

15/35

Issues discovered after purchase

Achilles' Heel

0/25

Critically weak dimension

Expectation Gap

7/20

Amazon rating vs actual quality

Fit Risk

9/20

Chance this product isn't for you

BuyChoice Score

3.6

Pros

Features 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) for handling multiple tasks simultaneously
Achieves up to 5.2 GHz boost frequency for single-core performance
More energy efficient and runs cooler than its 14th Gen Core predecessor
Supports PCIe 5.0 & 4.0 and DDR5 memory for modern system builds
Demonstrates strong performance in multi-threaded productivity benchmarks like Cinebench
Compatible with Intel 800 series chipset-based motherboards, offering a new platform

Cons

Gaming performance is generally disappointing, often slower than the 14600K and Ryzen 7 9700X
Requires a new LGA1851 motherboard, making it a costly upgrade for users on older Intel platforms
Does not include a thermal solution, necessitating an additional cooler purchase
P-cores lack Hyper-Threading, limiting thread count to 14 despite 14 physical cores
Power consumption is higher than some AMD competitors like the Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 5 9600X

Dimension Scores

Single-Thread Performance7/10

Achieves up to 5.2 GHz boost frequency and almost reaches Core i9-13900K single-core performance.

Multi-Thread Performance8/10

With 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores), it shows strong gains in multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench over its predecessor.

Power Efficiency7/10

It is more energy efficient and runs cooler than its 14th Gen Core predecessor, consuming 26% less power than the 14600K at load.

Platform Longevity7/10

Supports modern standards like PCIe 5.0 & 4.0 and DDR5 memory, and uses the new LGA1851 socket, offering a current-generation platform.

Best For

Users building a new system focused on multi-threaded productivity applications like video editing or rendering
Compact PC builds where lower power consumption and cooler operation are priorities
Upgrades from Intel CPUs 5+ years old, offering a significant performance leap in productivity
Server builds needing efficient multi-core processing and QuickSync capabilities, like Unraid servers

Not Recommended For

Dedicated gamers seeking top-tier frame rates, as its gaming performance is subpar compared to alternatives
Budget-conscious upgraders from recent Intel generations (13th or 14th gen), due to minimal performance gains and platform cost
Users expecting an included cooler, as it requires a separate thermal solution

Watch Out For

Gaming performance is 8% slower than the 14600K and 14% slower than the 9700X in a 14-game average.
Requires a new LGA1851 motherboard, meaning you can't drop it into existing LGA1700 systems.
No thermal solution is included in the box, so you'll need to buy a CPU cooler separately.
Despite having 14 cores, the P-cores do not feature Hyper-Threading, resulting in only 14 threads.
Power consumption at load can be 46% higher than a Ryzen 7 9700X in multi-core tests, despite similar efficiency in some scenarios.

Full Specifications

RAM	1 GB
ASIN	B0DFK2P311
Brand	Intel
Series	BX80768245K
Voltage	28 Volts
Language	English
Batteries	1 AAAA batteries required.
CPU Model	Core i5
CPU Speed	5.2 GHz
Processor	5.2 GHz core_i5
CPU Socket	FCLGA1851
Item Weight	2.8 ounces
Manufacturer	Intel
Processor Brand	Intel
CPU Manufacturer	Intel
Item model number	Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
Product Dimensions	9.17 x 4.65 x 0.04 inches
Number of Processors	1
Item Dimensions LxWxH	9.17 x 4.65 x 0.04 inches

What Buyers Say

This processor has generated mixed reactions since its October 2024 release. While it delivers a noticeable boost in multi-threaded productivity tasks and runs cooler than the previous generation, its gaming performance is a consistent point of disappointment, often lagging behind older Intel chips and current AMD offerings. Many reviewers highlight the necessity of a new LGA1851 motherboard and the additional cost of a separate cooler as significant factors. Some users, however, find it a compelling option for specific use cases like server builds due to its efficiency and QuickSync capabilities.

“Honestly, I bought this for my new build thinking it would be a gaming beast, but my old 14600K actually pushed more frames in some games. It's fast for my video editing, but man, the gaming is just… meh. And I had to buy a whole new motherboard and cooler, which stung.”

Common Praise

Improved energy efficiency and cooler operating temperatures compared to 14th Gen Core.
Strong performance in multi-threaded applications and benchmarks like Cinebench.
A significant upgrade for users coming from much older Intel CPUs (5+ years old).
Good for server applications like Unraid due to low idle power and QuickSync.

Common Complaints

Subpar gaming performance, often worse than the 14600K and AMD Ryzen 7 9700X.
Requires a new LGA1851 motherboard, adding to the total upgrade cost.
No thermal solution included, requiring an extra purchase.
P-cores do not have Hyper-Threading, limiting the total thread count to 14.
Can be hard to recommend due to its price point compared to alternatives offering better gaming value.

Ownership Tips

The new LGA1851 socket means a complete platform overhaul (CPU, motherboard, RAM) is often necessary, not just a CPU swap.
Despite being more efficient than its predecessor, it still benefits from a robust aftermarket cooler due to its unlocked nature and 125W base power.
Users report it runs relatively cool, which is a plus for system stability and noise levels, especially in productivity tasks.
The lack of Hyper-Threading on P-cores is a notable change that impacts how some applications utilize its core count.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K come with a cooler?

No, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K does not include a thermal solution. You will need to purchase a compatible CPU cooler separately.

What motherboard do I need for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K?

This processor requires an Intel 800 series chipset-based motherboard with an LGA1851 socket.

Is this processor good for gaming?

Reviewers generally found its gaming performance to be subpar, often falling behind previous generation Intel chips and current AMD competitors. It's not considered a gaming champion.

How many cores and threads does the Core Ultra 5 245K have?

It features 14 cores (6 Performance-cores and 8 Efficient-cores) and 14 threads. The P-cores do not use Hyper-Threading.

Is the Core Ultra 5 245K power efficient?

It is more energy efficient and runs cooler than its 14th Gen Core predecessor. While it can consume more power than some AMD CPUs, its efficiency per performance in certain multi-core tasks is competitive.

Buying Guide

When looking at a CPU like this, you need to think about what you'll actually be doing most of the time. If you're building a new PC for heavy multi-tasking, video editing, or other creative work, the core count and efficiency here are a big deal. But if you're mainly gaming, the raw clock speed and core architecture for games matter more than just the number of cores, and this chip might not be your best bet.

14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores)

Think of P-cores as the big, strong workers for demanding tasks, and E-cores as the smaller, efficient workers handling background stuff. More of these means your computer can juggle more applications and complex tasks without slowing down, like having more hands to do different jobs at once.

Up to 5.2 GHz unlocked

This is how fast the processor can run. A higher GHz means faster individual task execution. 'Unlocked' means you can manually push it even faster (overclocking) if you have the right cooling, like giving a car a turbo boost for extra speed.

LGA1851 socket

This is the physical connection type for the CPU to the motherboard. It's like a specific plug shape. If your motherboard doesn't have an LGA1851 socket, this CPU won't fit, meaning you'll need a new motherboard to use it.

No thermal solution included

This means the CPU doesn't come with a fan or heatsink to keep it cool. You'll need to buy one separately, which is an extra cost and a necessary component, like needing to buy tires for a new car chassis.

Alternatives

If gaming is your main focus, search for CPUs with strong single-core performance and gaming benchmarks, even if they have fewer cores. For a more budget-friendly upgrade path, consider options that don't require a new motherboard and RAM.