CPU vs CPU
Core Ultra 5 245K vs Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is 9% faster in games for 5% more money for the whole platform (processor, board, 32GB of memory and a cooler if needed), so it's the better buy for gaming.
Key facts· updated
- The Core Ultra 5 245K scores 67.1 and the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 73.3 for 1080p gaming in the Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy, Oct 2026 (RTX 5090, fastest chip = 100).
- The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is 9% faster in games than the Core Ultra 5 245K (Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy, Oct 2026).
- The Core Ultra 5 245K costs $180 and the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus costs $220 (PC Atlas price check, Nov 3, 2026; catalog estimates, not live store prices).
- With the cheapest compatible board and 32GB of memory, it's $816 for the Core Ultra 5 245K platform vs $856 for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus platform (PC Atlas price check, Nov 3, 2026; catalog estimates, not live store prices).
- Both use the LGA1851 socket. LGA1851: Core Ultra 200S Plus is the newest chip for it; Intel hasn't announced more.
| Spec | Core Ultra 5 245K | Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score (1080p) | 67.1 | 73.3 |
| Price today | $180Sample | $220Sample |
| Platform cost today | $816Sample | $856Sample |
| Cores | 14 | 18 |
| Gaming power (approx.) | ~159 W | ~159 W |
| Socket | LGA1851 | LGA1851 |
| Memory | DDR5 | DDR5 |
| Cooler in the box | No | No |
| Built-in graphics | Yes | Yes |
Gaming score: Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy, “Gaming CPU Benchmarks Rankings 2026” (Oct 2026; 1080p, mix of High and Ultra settings, geometric mean of 17 games, relative to the Ryzen 7 9850X3D (= 100); NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition). Specs from maker pages (checked 2026-10-29). Platform cost = processor + cheapest compatible board + cheapest 32GB kit + cheapest cooler rated for the chip when none is in the box. Highlighted = better. Prices last checked ; Sample = PC Atlas catalog estimate, not a live store price.
Good to know
- Core Ultra 5 250K Plus on the MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi (mATX): May need a BIOS update (Build a PC shows the fix).
Questions
Is the Core Ultra 5 245K better than the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus for gaming?
The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is 9% faster in games for 5% more money for the whole platform (processor, board, 32GB of memory and a cooler if needed), so it's the better buy for gaming.
How much faster is the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus in games?
9% in the Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy (Oct 2026): a 1080p gaming score of 73.3 vs 67.1, tested with an RTX 5090 so the processor is the limit. At 1440p and 4K with a mid-range card the gap shrinks, often to nothing.
What does each one cost with a motherboard and memory?
Core Ultra 5 245K: about $816 with the MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi (mATX) and G.Skill Flare X5 32GB (2x16) DDR5-6000 CL30 plus the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black. Core Ultra 5 250K Plus: about $856 with the MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi (mATX) and G.Skill Flare X5 32GB (2x16) DDR5-6000 CL30 plus the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black.
Can I upgrade the Core Ultra 5 245K or Core Ultra 5 250K Plus later?
LGA1851: Core Ultra 200S Plus is the newest chip for it; Intel hasn't announced more.