Intel Core Ultra 5 245K

Name: Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
Brand: Intel
SKU: 35714

Manufacturer: Intel

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is a desktop processor designed for the LGA 1851 socket, compatible with Z890 chipset motherboards. Built on a 3 nm semiconductor process with 17,800 million transistors, it uses big.LITTLE technology to combine six performance cores clocked at 4.2 GHz with eight efficient cores running at 3.6 GHz, reaching a turbo frequency of 5.2 GHz across 14 threads.

The processor carries a 125W TDP and supports PCIe 5.0, along with a maximum operating temperature of 105 °C. On the memory side, it provides dual-channel DDR5 support at speeds up to 6400 MHz, a maximum capacity of 192 GB, and a peak bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. Integrated graphics are included, with a base GPU clock of 300 MHz boosting to 1900 MHz, supporting up to four displays via DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.5. Cache configuration consists of 26 MB of L2 and 24 MB of L3, complemented by instruction set support for AVX2, AES, FMA3, and related extensions.

Pros

Supports DDR5 memory at speeds up to 6400 MHz with a peak bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, enabling fast data throughput for memory-intensive workloads
The big.LITTLE core configuration combines six performance cores and eight efficiency cores across 14 threads, allowing the chip to distribute tasks by workload demand
Integrated graphics with a turbo clock of 1900 MHz supports up to four displays simultaneously and is compatible with DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, and OpenCL 3
Built on a 3 nm process with 17,800 million transistors, reflecting a high degree of circuit density for a desktop chip
PCIe 5.0 support allows connection to high-bandwidth expansion devices
Maximum memory capacity of 192 GB provides substantial headroom for memory-heavy desktop workloads

Cons

The multiplier is locked, removing the option to manually overclock the chip through that method
ECC memory is not supported, limiting use in environments where memory error correction is a requirement
With a 125W TDP, the chip produces a considerable amount of heat, placing meaningful demands on the cooling solution
L3 cache is limited to 24 MB, which is relatively modest given the total core and thread count
Single-threaded PassMark score of 4,682 suggests limited headroom for tasks that depend heavily on single-core throughput

Who is this for?

This desktop processor suits users who need a capable multi-threaded chip for demanding everyday workloads, thanks to its 14-thread big.LITTLE configuration and DDR5 support reaching up to 6400 MHz. The integrated graphics with four-display output and DirectX 12 compatibility make it a reasonable fit for users who want a functional display setup without a dedicated GPU. Those building a Z890-based desktop system who also need up to 192 GB of addressable memory will find the platform accommodating for content creation, data processing, or productivity-heavy environments.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who intend to push the chip beyond its stock settings will find it limiting, as the multiplier is locked and does not support manual overclocking through that route. Workstation builders or professionals working in environments that require ECC memory for error correction will need to look elsewhere, since this processor does not support it. Additionally, those prioritizing tasks that lean heavily on single-core throughput may find the single-threaded benchmark score insufficient for the most demanding latency-sensitive applications.

General info:

Type	Desktop
CPU socket	LGA 1851
chipset	Z890
Has integrated graphics	✓
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	125W
semiconductor size	3 nm
CPU temperature	105 °C
PCI Express (PCIe) version	5
number of transistors	17800 million
Supports 64-bit	✓

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is a desktop processor built on a 3 nm semiconductor process housing 17,800 million transistors, and it fits the LGA 1851 socket with compatibility limited to Z890 chipsets. It carries a 125W Thermal Design Power rating and can operate at temperatures up to 105 °C. The chip supports PCIe 5.0, includes integrated graphics, and is fully 64-bit compatible.

Performance:

CPU speed	6 x 4.2 & 8 x 3.6 GHz
CPU threads	14 threads
turbo clock speed	5.2GHz
Has an unlocked multiplier	✕
L2 cache	26 MB
L3 cache	24 MB
Uses big.LITTLE technology	✓
clock multiplier	42
Turbo Boost version	2

This processor uses big.LITTLE technology to combine six performance cores running at 4.2 GHz with eight efficiency cores at 3.6 GHz, spread across 14 threads in total. With Turbo Boost version 2, the chip can reach a turbo clock speed of 5.2 GHz, driven by a clock multiplier of 42. The cache setup includes 26 MB of L2 and 24 MB of L3, while the multiplier is locked, meaning manual overclocking through that method is not supported.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result	42561
PassMark result (single)	4682
PassMark result (overclocked)	43974

In PassMark testing, this processor achieves a multi-threaded score of 42,561 and a single-threaded result of 4,682, reflecting its per-core responsiveness in lightly threaded workloads. When pushed beyond stock settings, the overclocked PassMark score reaches 43,974, indicating a modest but measurable gain over the standard multi-core result.

Integrated graphics:

GPU clock speed	300 MHz
GPU turbo	1900 MHz
DirectX version	DirectX 12
supported displays	4
OpenGL version	4.5
OpenCL version	3

The integrated graphics unit has a base clock of 300 MHz and can boost up to 1900 MHz, with support for up to four displays simultaneously. It is compatible with DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, and OpenCL 3, covering a solid range of graphics and compute APIs for general use.

Memory:

RAM speed (max)	6400 MHz
maximum memory bandwidth	102.4 GB/s
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
maximum memory amount	192GB
Supports ECC memory	✕

This processor supports DDR5 memory across two channels, with a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz and a peak bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. It can address up to 192 GB of system memory in total, though ECC memory is not supported.

Features:

instruction sets	MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
Has NX bit	✓

The processor supports a broad set of instruction sets including AVX2, AES, FMA3, F16C, MMX, AVX, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2, covering vectorized math, hardware-accelerated encryption, and extended multimedia operations. It also includes the NX bit, which enables hardware-level memory protection against certain classes of malicious code execution.

Final Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is a well-specified desktop processor that brings together a dense 3 nm build, DDR5 memory support, and a versatile big.LITTLE core layout into a platform anchored by the Z890 chipset. Its 14-thread hybrid architecture paired with DDR5 bandwidth up to 102.4 GB/s makes it a capable choice for users running memory-intensive or multi-threaded workloads on a modern desktop build. The locked multiplier and absence of ECC support do set boundaries on its flexibility for certain advanced use cases, but within its intended scope — a feature-rich, mainstream desktop platform with integrated graphics and broad API support — it delivers a coherent and well-rounded specification set worth serious consideration.