{"id":73387,"date":"2024-10-24T23:00:29","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T15:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tech-critter.com\/?p=73387"},"modified":"2024-10-24T23:00:29","modified_gmt":"2024-10-24T15:00:29","slug":"intel-core-ultra-review-285k-265kf-245kf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tech-critter.com\/intel-core-ultra-review-285k-265kf-245kf\/","title":{"rendered":"Intel Core Ultra Desktop Processors (Series 2) Review – Core Ultra 9 285K, Core Ultra 7 265KF, and Core Ultra 5 245KF Tested"},"content":{"rendered":"

The long-awaited Core Ultra Desktop Processors (Series 2) have finally hit the market, and we\u2019ve gathered extensive performance data from three models: the Core Ultra 9 285K, Core Ultra 7 265KF, and Core Ultra 5 245KF. Built on Intel’s 15th-generation “Arrow Lake” architecture, these processors utilize a new LGA1851 socket, necessitating an upgrade to Intel\u2019s 800-series chipset motherboards. A significant change in this generation is the removal of HyperThreading, a decision driven by feedback from the gaming community, which has long expressed concerns about how it impacts gaming performance.<\/p>\n

Intel has shifted its focus towards enhancing power efficiency without compromising gaming and compute performance, making the Core Ultra desktop processor Series 2 a notable upgrade for users seeking both power and energy conservation. Furthermore, the inclusion of a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) highlights Intel’s commitment to AI-driven workloads, allowing for better performance in video streaming and other AI-related tasks, although its immediate utility for gamers is still unfolding.<\/p>\n

Overview<\/h2>\n

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The Intel Core Ultra desktop processors have undergone significant changes, particularly with a slimmer integrated heat spreader (IHS) compared to the previous-generation LGA1700 CPUs. These processors now require a new Intel 800-series chipset motherboard.<\/p>\n

One thing to point out is that the Core Ultra 7 265K we have here is an engineering sample unit<\/strong> that is meant to provide an early preview of what kind of performance to expect from it and the actual retail unit might have a different performance than this by the time when it’s available in the market.<\/p>\n

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Additionally, there are also reports indicating that the thermal hotspot has shifted slightly upwards for the Core Ultra CPUs<\/a>, which may potentially affect the performance of some cooling solutions<\/a>. As the new Core Ultra CPUs become available, we anticipate announcements from cooling brands, likely including offset mounting brackets to address these changes.<\/p>\n

For now, we’ve applied thermal paste slightly offset to the speculated new hotspot location on the CPU, hoping it will improve cooling efficiency with the cooler we’re using for this test. This is a temporary workaround while we wait for official solutions like offset mounting brackets, from cooling brands to address the shifted thermal hotspot in the new Core Ultra processors.<\/p>\n

Test System Setup<\/h2>\n

For our testing, we utilized the following hardware setup, configured with the Intel Default Performance profile in the BIOS settings. This profile adheres to the baseline power limits specified for each respective Core Ultra Series 2 CPU, reflecting the configuration most users are likely to adopt. While you can lift the power limit for enhanced performance, especially with the\u00a0Core Ultra 9 285K, an adequate cooling solution is essential to handle the increased power draw, which can exceed 250W during turbo boost and result in higher temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nTestbench #1<\/td>\nTestbench #2<\/td>\nTestbench #3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Processor<\/td>\nIntel Core Ultra 9 285K<\/p>\n

Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF<\/p>\n

Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF<\/td>\n

Intel Core i9-14900K<\/td>\nAMD Ryzen 9 9950X<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CPU Cooler<\/td>\nCooler Master MasterLiquid 360 ION<\/td>\nDeepcool LS720<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Motherboard<\/td>\nASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex<\/td>\nASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore<\/td>\nASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E Hero<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RAM<\/td>\nKLEVV CRAS V RGB ROG<\/td>\nCertified DDR5-7200 (2x24GB)<\/td>\nKingston Fury Renegade DDR5 RGB DDR5-7200 (2x24GB)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Storage (OS)<\/td>\nKingston KC3000 2TB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Operating system<\/td>\nWindows 11 Pro 24H2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power supply<\/td>\nCooler Master M2000 Platinum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
GPU<\/td>\nNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 10G<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Synthetic Benchmarks<\/h2>\n

\"7zip

Starting with synthetic benchmarks, our findings align with expectations. Initial leaks suggested that the Core Ultra 9 285K might underperform compared to the Core i9-14900K, but our tests reveal that it often surpasses its predecessor in several key areas. In the 7zip file compression and decompression benchmark, for instance, while the Ryzen 9 7950X and 9950X excel in decompression due to their additional cores, the Core Ultra 9 285K leads in compression performance, showcasing its efficiency despite having fewer cores and no HyperThreading.<\/p>\n

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In benchmarks such as Cinebench R23 and Geekbench 3, the Core Ultra 9 285K shines, outperforming many competitors, including the Ryzen 9 7950X and 9950X. Surprisingly, the Core Ultra 7 265KF and Core Ultra 5 245KF also demonstrate impressive single-core performance, often matching or exceeding the Core i9-14900K.<\/p>\n

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In creative applications, including video and photo editing tests, the Core Ultra 9 285K frequently rivals or outperforms the Core i9-14900K and occasionally matches the Ryzen 9 9950X. However, benchmarks leveraging all cores and threads, like the Corona Renderer, still favor the Core i9-14900K and Ryzen 9 9950X due to their higher core counts.<\/p>\n

\"3DMark

In 3DMark tests, while the Ryzen 9 7950X and 9950X remain the top performers, the Core Ultra 9 285K and Core Ultra 7 265KF show competitive performance, often matching or exceeding the Core i9-14900K, with the Core Ultra 5 245KF also performing admirably.<\/p>\n

Gaming Benchmarks<\/h2>\n

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Transitioning to gaming benchmarks, our selected titles reflected patterns consistent with Intel’s expectations. The Core Ultra 9 285K outperformed both the Core i9-14900K and the Ryzen 9 9950X in games like\u00a0Far Cry 6<\/em>,\u00a0Dirt 5<\/em>, and\u00a0Horizon Zero Dawn<\/em>, although it fell slightly behind in more demanding titles like\u00a0Shadow of the Tomb Raider<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Cyberpunk 2077<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The Core Ultra 7 265KF exhibited a similar performance trend, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF remained competitive with the Core i9-14900K in select titles, even if it didn\u2019t always maintain that pace across the board.<\/p>\n

Power Draw and Temperature<\/h2>\n

\"Power

Intel claims that the power draw of these new Core Ultra CPUs is significantly lower than previous generations, particularly during gaming sessions. Our tests confirmed this, with the Core Ultra 9 285K reaching a maximum power draw of 273W under load and 141W during gaming. The Core Ultra 7 265KF recorded a peak of 210W, with gaming power draw at just 84W, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF reached 150W at maximum load and 71W during gaming sessions.<\/p>\n

\"CPU

Thermal performance also impresses. While the Core i9-14900K can hit temperatures around 96\u00b0C under heavy load, the Core Ultra 9 285K typically stays below 90\u00b0C, hovering around 86-87\u00b0C during intensive tasks. The Core Ultra 7 265KF and 5 245KF maintained even lower maximum temperatures of 74\u00b0C and 80\u00b0C, respectively.<\/p>\n

Memory Overclocking Support<\/h2>\n

\"AIDA64\"

With the introduction of Intel\u2019s new CPU architecture and motherboard chipset, memory overclocking capabilities have seen noticeable improvements. During testing, DDR5 memory speeds of 8000 MHz or higher were frequently achieved, with the highest recorded being DDR5-8600 using the Core Ultra 9 285K paired with the ROG Maximus Z890 Apex motherboard.<\/p>\n

The improvement in memory overclocking is partly due to architectural enhancements which can now support up to 6400MT\/s natively. This means that the Core Ultra series, particularly when paired with high-performance motherboards like the ROG Maximus Z890 Apex, can handle higher speeds with greater stability, pushing the limits of DDR5 memory technology.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also important to note that the cooling system and BIOS settings play crucial roles in achieving these higher memory speeds. However, the actual performance may vary depending on the specific motherboard, CPU, and memory kit used. Older DDR5 kits may not consistently hit those speeds, but newer CU-DIMM modules are expected to provide more stable overclocking results.<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n

\"Intel

At the end of the day, the new Intel Core Ultra Desktop Processors Series 2 shows great power efficiency, great temperatures, and also great performance.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Core Ultra 9 285K\u00a0excels in efficiency and thermal performance, making it a solid upgrade for users on older platforms like the Core i9-12900K. However, if you\u2019re already using the i9-13900K or 14900K, the gains may not be substantial unless efficiency is a priority.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Core Ultra 7 265KF<\/strong> offers powerful performance at a more affordable price, making it ideal for those with budget constraints, especially if you’re upgrading from a 12th Gen CPU or older. It\u2019s a great middle-ground for users seeking a solid performance boost for both work and gaming.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the\u00a0Core Ultra 5 245KF\u00a0shines as the most balanced option in terms of price and performance, maintaining Intel\u2019s tradition of delivering great value for mainstream users. Its predecessor dominated recommendations, and the 245KF continues this trend.<\/p>\n

Overall, the Intel Core Ultra Series 2 is an interesting step forward from what we have seen from Intel this time, offering a range of options that cater to both budget-conscious users and those seeking top-tier performance. Whether you\u2019re upgrading from an older generation or looking for efficient, modern computing power, Intel\u2019s new lineup deserves serious consideration.<\/p>\n

\"Tech

The long-awaited Core Ultra Desktop Processors (Series 2) have finally hit the market, and we\u2019ve gathered extensive performance data from three models: the Core Ultra 9 285K, Core Ultra 7 265KF, and Core Ultra 5 245KF. Built on Intel’s 15th-generation “Arrow Lake” architecture, these processors utilize a new LGA1851 socket, necessitating an upgrade to Intel\u2019s 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