As the launch for Intel Core Ultra 200 series processors draws closer, the number of benchmark leaks for the chips grows. Now, we have our first look at two of three the K SKU CPUs, Core Ultra 7 265KF and 5 245K. Compared to 14th Gen Core and Ryzen 7000/9000 alternatives, performance looks mixed.
Sadly, we’re short a look at the best CPU in the lineup, Core Ultra 9 285K. Despite its absence, these two chips still tell us plenty about the potential gains Intel has to offer via its Arrow Lake architecture. A lot rides on this launch, with Intel undoubtedly hoping Arrow Lake can give its finances a much-needed boost. Early signs suggest it may not be the slam dunk Team Blue so desperately needs right now.
Core Ultra 7 265KF
| CPU | Geekbench 6 SC score | Diff. | Geekbench 6 MC score | Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 7 265KF | 3,219 | – | 19,433 | – |
| Ryzen 7 9700X | 3,391 | +5% | 17,076 | -12% |
| Core i7-14700K | 3,014 | -6% | 20,528 | +6% |
First up, Core Ultra 7 265KF performance measured with Geekbench 6. While the processor has a mix of 20 cores at its disposal, none support multithreading. This shift undoubtedly plays a part in the CPU’s inability to catch up to Core i7-14700K, which pips the Arrow Lake chip by 6% in multi-core scores. However, it decidedly crushes Ryzen 7 9700X by a respectable 12%.
Switching to single core, we see podium positions for competing chips shift. Core Ultra 7 265KF takes the silver once again, but beats Core i7-14700K and loses to Ryzen 7 9700X this time around. However, the differences between the Arrow Lake CPU and the other processors are a measly 5-6%. Not exactly an earth-shattering progression from Raptor Lake, instabilities aside. These results are using 65W TDPs for Zen 5 too, which could soon rise.
Core Ultra 5 245K
| Geekbench 5 SC score | Diff. | Geekbench 5 MC score | Diff. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 5 245K | 2,248 | – | 18,355 | – |
| Ryzen 5 7600X | 2,120 | -6% | 11,592 | -37% |
| Core i5-13600K | 1,997 | -11% | 17,344 | -6% |
Core Ultra 5 245K results are at least a little more promising. Unfortunately, the processor was benched using Geekbench 5, meaning our points of comparison are limited to slightly older chips. When the CPU launches later this year, we’ll have Geekbench 6 results to share in our reviews.
To the scores we have to hand, though, Core Ultra 5 245K comes up roses relative to Core i5-13600K and Ryzen 5 7600X. The most exciting result for Intel is the 37% gap between the mainstream AMD chip in multi-core performance. We’d expect the gap to be smaller compared to Ryzen 5 9600X, but still in the double digits nonetheless.
It’s important to note that all the comparisons above are not apples-to-apples. We don’t know what speed the RAM for these Core Ultra 200 series processors ran at, only that it had 32GB at its disposal. That’s to say nothing of headroom afforded by robust cooling and other potential variables. As such, treat these comparisons as an estimate and season with salt, as with all leaks.
It’s difficult to tell how Core Ultra 9 285K will fare against Ryzen 9 9950X and Ryzen 9 9900X, inside and outside Geekbench. From these results, though, it looks as though Intel could retain its multi-core crown. Better still, it should be much more efficient than Core i9-14900K if rumours of reduced power consumption hold true.
