As we speak we’re testing Intel’s Core Extremely 5 245K, the successor to the mainstream Core i5-14600K. With a present retail worth of $320, it competes instantly with the not too long ago launched Ryzen 7 9700X, so we’re desperate to see how these components stack up in each productiveness and gaming workloads.
Earlier than diving into the benchmark information, let’s briefly assessment a few of the key specs for the Core Extremely 5 245K. We’ll omit a lot of the platform and testing particulars already coated in our Core 9 285K assessment. For extra particulars in regards to the platform modifications in Intel’s newest CPU household, please take a look at that article first.
The 245K options 6 P-Cores, every with a single thread, as Hyper-Threading is not used. These P-Cores function at a base frequency of 4.2 GHz, boosting as much as 5.2 GHz – a minor 2% frequency discount in comparison with the 14600K.
| Processor | Launch worth | P-core (efficiency) | E-core (effectivity) | L3 cache | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cores (threads) | Freq. | Turbo | L2 cache | Cores (threads) | Freq. | Turbo | L2 cache | |||
| Core Extremely 9 285K | $600 | 8 (8) | 3.7 GHz | 5.6 GHz | 24 MB | 16 (16) | 3.2 GHz | 4.6 GHz | 16 MB | 36 MB |
| Core Extremely 7 265K | $395 | 8 (8) | 3.9 GHz | 5.5 GHz | 12 (12) | 3.3 GHz | 12 MB | 30 MB | ||
| Core Extremely 5 245K | $310 | 6 (6) | 4.2 GHz | 5.2 GHz | 18 MB | 8 (8) | 3.6 GHz | 8 MB | 24 MB | |
| Core i9-14900K | $600 | 8 (16) | 3.2 GHz | 6.0 GHz | 16 MB | 16 (16) | 2.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz | 16 MB | 36 MB |
| Core i7-14700K | $420 | 8 (16) | 3.4 GHz | 5.6 GHz | 12 (12) | 2.5 GHz | 4.3 GHz | 12 MB | 33 MB | |
| Core i5-14600K | $330 | 6 (12) | 3.5 GHz | 5.3 GHz | 12 MB | 8 (8) | 2.6 GHz | 4.0 GHz | 8 MB | 24 MB |
For the E-Cores, there are 8 in complete, additionally with 8 threads as there isn’t a SMT help. These cores run at a base frequency of three.6 GHz, with a most clock of 4.6 GHz, which represents a 15% improve over the E-Core frequency on the 14600K.
In complete, there’s 24 MB of L3 cache and 26 MB of L2 cache. Every P-core has 3 MB of L2 cache, whereas the E-cores share 4 MB per cluster, with every cluster containing 4 E-cores. The bottom TDP is 125W, with a max turbo TDP of 159W. Intel is pricing this mannequin at $310 per 1,000 models.
It is also noteworthy that each one Ok-SKU fashions – presently the one ones introduced – help dual-channel DDR5-5600 UDIMM reminiscence or DDR5-6400 CUDIMM reminiscence. CUDIMM reminiscence incorporates a small clock driver circuit on the module itself, which permits the exact timings vital for increased reminiscence speeds.
Every mannequin offers 20 PCIe 5.0 lanes and 4 PCIe 4.0 lanes, together with a Direct Media Interface 4.0 with 8 lanes connecting to the chipset. As with different Ok-suffix processors, these fashions function an unlocked multiplier for overclocking capabilities.
Take a look at System Specs
| CPU | Motherboard | Reminiscence |
| AMD Ryzen 7000 Collection | Gigabyte X670E Aorus Grasp [BIOS F33d] | G.Talent Trident Z5 RGB 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30-38-38-96 Home windows 11 24H2 |
| AMD Ryzen 5000 Collection | MSI MPG X570S Carbon MAX WiFi [BIOS 7D52v19] | G.Talent Ripjaws V Collection 32GB DDR4-3600 CL14-15-15-35 Home windows 11 24H2 |
| Intel Core Extremely 200S | Asus ROG Maximus Z890 Hero [BIOS 0805] | G.Talent Trident Z5 CK 32GB DDR5-8200 CL40-52-52-131 G.Talent Trident Z5 RGB 32GB DDR5-7200 CL34-45-45-115 Home windows 11 23H2 [24H2 = Slower] |
| Intel twelfth, thirteenth & 14th | MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi [BIOS 7D89v1E] | G.Talent Trident Z5 RGB 32GB DDR5-7200 CL34-45-45-115 Home windows 11 23H2 [24H2 = Slower] |
| Graphics Card | Energy Provide | Storage |
| Asus ROG Strix RTX 4090 OC Version | Kolink Regulator Gold ATX 3.0 1200W | TeamGroup T-Pressure Cardea A440 M.2 PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD 4TB |
| GeForce Recreation Prepared Driver 565.90 WHQL | ||
Productiveness Benchmarks
Cinebench Clock Habits
First, let’s look at how the 265K behaves underneath load. For cooling, we’re utilizing the brand new MSI MAG Coreliquid I360, supplied in our assessment equipment, which is particularly designed and optimized for these new Arrow Lake CPUs. MSI has developed a singular bracket that shifts the chilly plate barely north, leading to a 3-degree temperature discount by higher focusing on the recent spot on these CPUs.
With the Coreliquid I360 put in, we loaded up the 265K with Cinebench and noticed a median clock frequency of 4.6 GHz on the E-Cores and 5.0 GHz on the P-Cores. This efficiency stayed throughout the inventory 159W energy restrict, and the CPU’s peak core temperature reached simply 66°C – properly beneath the 105°C TjMAX.
Cinebench 2024, Multi-Core
Within the Cinebench multi-core take a look at, the 245K is 9% sooner than the 14600K, making it 26% sooner than the 9700X, a powerful consequence contemplating it is barely extra inexpensive than the Ryzen 7 processor.
Cinebench 2024, Single Core
In single-core efficiency, the 245K matched the 9700X with a rating of 137 factors – a 12% improve over the 14600K.
Cinebench 2024 Energy Consumption
Whereas the 245K was 26% sooner than the 9700X within the multi-core take a look at, it additionally consumed 46% extra energy at 139 watts, which aligns with the facility draw of fashions just like the 7700X. Nonetheless, this nonetheless represents a 37% discount in energy utilization in comparison with the 14600K.
7-Zip File Supervisor Compression
In the case of compression efficiency, the 245K underperforms barely, being slower than the 14600K and solely 8% sooner than the 9700X, which is modest for a next-generation product.
7-Zip File Supervisor Decompression
Decompression efficiency is even much less spectacular, with the 245K solely matching older fashions such because the 12700K and 5800X3D. It’s 12% slower than the 9700X and 13% slower than the 14600K.
Blender Open Information
Blender Open Information outcomes present some enchancment: the 245K is 7% sooner than the 14600K and 16% sooner than the 9700X, making it a stable possibility for budget-conscious rendering.
Corona 10 Benchmark
Within the Corona 10 Benchmark, the 245K performs properly, outperforming the 14600K by 7% and the 9700X by 11%. Though the margin is not huge, it is nonetheless a efficiency achieve.
Adobe Photoshop 2025
After just a few tweaks, we have improved the efficiency of the Arrow Lake CPUs in Photoshop, bringing them nearer to anticipated ranges as soon as Home windows 11 updates improve help. Regardless of these changes, the 245K stays solely 8% sooner than the 14600K, and 10% slower than the 9700X, indicating room for enchancment.
Adobe Premiere Professional 2024
The Premiere Professional outcomes are a lot stronger; right here, the 245K matches the 14700K, providing an 11% improve over the 14600K and a 14% enchancment over the 9700X.
Gaming Benchmarks
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Beginning with the gaming benchmarks, we start with Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Right here, the 245K delivers underwhelming efficiency, reaching a median of solely 142 fps with DDR5-7200 reminiscence, which makes it 7% slower than the 14600K and 12% slower than the 9700X.
The Final of Us Half 1
The 245K performs considerably higher in The Final of Us Half 1, matching the 9700X with a median of round 180 fps. The 1% lows had been additionally notably improved. In comparison with the 14600K, the 245K presents only a 2% efficiency achieve.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Even with the “Prioritize P-Cores” possibility enabled in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, the 245K lags, trailing even the 12600K. This leads to it being 16% slower than the 14600K and 17% slower than the 9700X – a disappointing consequence for a next-generation product. Ideally, Intel will tackle this efficiency hole in future updates.
Hogwarts Legacy
The leads to Hogwarts Legacy are higher however nonetheless modest. The 245K matches the 14600K, making it 8% slower than the 9700X.
Assetto Corsa Competizione
In Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC), the 245K falls quick once more, trailing the 14600K by 5% and the 9700X by a major 24%. Sadly, the 245K delivers efficiency extra akin to the 12700K on this title.
Remnant II
The 245K additionally struggles in Remnant II, averaging 112 fps – the identical efficiency stage because the previous-generation 14600K and 11% slower than the 9700X.
Homeworld 3
Intel CPUs persistently carry out poorly in Homeworld 3, notably with 1% lows, throughout all fashions from the twelfth era onward. The 245K isn’t any exception, falling simply behind the 14600K. Its common body charge is 13% decrease than the 9700X, and its 1% lows are down by 43%, marking one other weak exhibiting.
A Plague Story: Requiem
The 245K additionally underperforms in A Plague Story: Requiem, falling behind even the 12600K. It trails the 14600K by 17% and the 9700X by a considerable 27%, one other space the place Intel might have to analyze and tackle efficiency points.
Counter-Strike 2
In Counter-Strike 2, the 245K once more delivers efficiency just like the 12700K, with a median of 400 fps. It’s 13% slower than the 14600K and 24% slower than the 9700X.
Starfield
Starfield is without doubt one of the few video games the place the 245K performs moderately properly. Whereas it solely matches the 14600K – hardly spectacular – that is certainly one of its higher outcomes to date, even outpacing the 9700X by 10%. Zen 5 processors notably underperform on this title, which can clarify the margin.
Warhammer 40,000: House Marine 2
In House Marine 2, the 245K lags behind each the 14600K and 9700X by about 6%, including to the record of less-than-stellar outcomes.
Hitman 3
Usually, Intel CPUs carry out properly in Hitman 3, however the Arrow Lake structure doesn’t maintain up as properly. The 245K is 9% slower than the 14600K and 4% slower than the 9700X.
Watch Canines: Legion
Watch Canines: Legion outcomes are notably poor for the 245K. It finishes final by a notable margin, trailing the 14600K by 20% and the 9700X by 23%.
Star Wars Outlaws
The 245K performs adequately in Star Wars Outlaws, reaching a 2% achieve over the 14600K. Whereas not outstanding, that is a minimum of an enchancment.
Gaming Energy Consumption
Now for a fast take a look at energy consumption when gaming. In Cyberpunk 2077, the 245K consumes simply 73 watts – a 13% discount in comparison with the 9700X. Nonetheless, bear in mind it’s also 17% slower, so the Ryzen 7 half is extra power-efficient right here.
In The Final of Us Half 1, the 9700X and 245K eat related ranges of energy, yielding roughly equal efficiency. The 245K edges out the 14600K by just a few proportion factors whereas lowering energy consumption by a substantial 38%, making it notably extra environment friendly than the earlier era.
14 Recreation Common
Throughout the 14 video games examined, the 245K was, on common, 8% slower than the 14600K and 14% slower than the 9700X – disappointing outcomes for a next-generation product. This efficiency stage was achievable way back to the 12700K launch, whereas considerably higher gaming efficiency might be discovered with the 5800X3D or a number of different Ryzen processors from each earlier and present generations.
Value Per Body
The price per body additionally fails to impress. The 245K presents simply 9% higher worth than the 7800X3D at its present inflated price ticket of $475, although that CPU was accessible for as little as $340 not way back, leading to a value per body of simply $1.65.
Presently, the 245K prices 14% greater than the 9700X per body and a considerable 36% greater than the 14600K and 7700X, making it a poor worth for gaming regardless of being a greater worth than the 265K and 285K.
What We Realized
Intel’s newest CPU era has proven disappointing outcomes total, notably for PC players. We had hoped the Core Extremely 5 245K is perhaps a hidden gem, however sadly no. Like the remainder of the lineup, it presents a combined bag, with arguably extra drawbacks than advantages at this level.
By way of efficiency, productiveness outcomes had been certainly higher than in gaming, however even right here, they weren’t distinctive. Outdoors of Cinebench and some different rendering benchmarks, there’s little to get enthusiastic about. Compression and decompression efficiency lagged behind the Core i5-14600K, although we did see cheap positive factors in most different workloads, although the 245K did not at all times beat the 9700X.
Productiveness efficiency is unquestionably a powerful level for the 245K, and its energy effectivity can be aggressive, practically matching AMD’s effectivity, so now they are much the identical in that regard.
The place the 245K really struggled was in gaming efficiency. Whereas Arrow Lake has usually underperformed right here, the 245K was much more inconsistent. In some titles, it might roughly match the 265K, however in others, like Cyberpunk 2077, Counter-Strike 2, Hitman 3, and Watch Canines: Legion, it lagged noticeably, usually rating close to or on the backside of our charts.
In consequence, the Core Extremely 5 245K represents poor worth, and you would be a lot better off with a Core i5-14600K or, ideally, the Ryzen 7 7700X. For players, the 245K merely is not a viable possibility and not using a substantial worth discount and extra constant efficiency. Realistically, the value would wish to drop to $250 to make it a consideration, and even then, “a consideration” is probably a extra correct description than “a pretty possibility.”
Primarily, it will want to achieve the present worth of the 14600K, and even then, it isn’t an apparent selection over the sometimes sooner Core i5. The ability financial savings are a pleasant profit, however the 14600K’s effectivity is not overly regarding – actually much less so when in comparison with a mannequin just like the 7700X. In areas with reasonable energy prices, most customers would not discover the 14600K’s energy draw problematic, because it’s nonetheless comparatively simple to chill.
That mentioned, we not often really useful the 14600K anyway; for related pricing, the 7700X usually presents higher gaming efficiency with considerably decrease energy consumption.
However in a world the place neither the 7700X nor the 14600K exist, the Core Extremely 5 245K would nonetheless need to compete with the Ryzen 7 9700X. AMD’s chip usually presents sooner and extra constant gaming efficiency. In productiveness, the 245K has a slight edge, particularly in core-heavy workloads, although the distinction is not at all times vital. For strictly core-heavy productiveness duties, the 245K does look extra interesting.
Nonetheless, these particularly inquisitive about core-heavy productiveness are prone to look past the 245K.
For $320, the 245K does signify respectable productiveness efficiency though there are higher options accessible. Hopefully, Intel can tackle Arrow Lake’s points quickly, as there appears to be untapped potential right here, however till we see enhancements, these CPUs stay troublesome to advocate.
