Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus vs Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against desktop processors at a similar price

The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus scores 6.5/10 overall, ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus at 6.0/10.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus leads on single-core performance and integrated graphics.

They score the same on multi-core performance, efficiency and platform.

Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus

6.0/10verdict: good, not the best

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus suits developers and homelabbers who want a lot of cores for builds, rendering and parallel workloads. It also suits anyone who needs ECC memory support on a desktop socket. It is a weaker fit for always-on servers where idle power matters, or for buyers whose main aim is gaming.

Typically about £216.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus

6.5/10verdict: buy

The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is for builders who want many cores for compiling, VMs and rendering on a desktop budget. It also suits media server owners who value HEVC hardware encoding from the integrated graphics. It is a poorer fit for always-on machines where idle power matters, or for gaming-first builds.

Typically about £273.59 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus	Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus
Multi-core performance	25%	9/10	9/10
Single-core performance	20%	6/10	7/10
Efficiency	20%	3/10	3/10
Platform	20%	6/10	6/10
Integrated graphics	15%	5/10	7/10
Overall		6.0/10	6.5/10

Specifications

Spec	Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus	Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus
Cores / threads	18 total (6 performance + 12 efficient), 18 threads	24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores), 24 threads
Base / boost clock	P-core base 4.2 GHz, P-core max turbo 5.3 GHz; E-core base 3.3 GHz, E-core max turbo 4.6 GHz	P-core base 3.7 GHz, E-core base 3.2 GHz; max turbo 5.5 GHz (P-core 5.4 GHz, E-core 4.7 GHz)
Socket	FCLGA1851	LGA 1851
TDP	Processor Base Power 125 W; Maximum Turbo Power 159 W	Processor Base Power 125 W; Maximum Turbo Power 250 W
Cache	30 MB Intel Smart Cache; total L2 cache 30 MB	36 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3); 40 MB total L2
Integrated graphics	Intel Graphics, 4 Xe-cores, 300 MHz base, 1.9 GHz max dynamic, 8 GPU peak TOPS	Intel Graphics, 4 Xe-cores, max dynamic frequency 2 GHz; HEVC hardware encode/decode; AV1 hardware encode not confirmed
Memory support	Up to DDR5-7200 MT/s; 2 memory channels; max 256 GB; ECC supported	Max 256 GB; up to DDR5 7200 MT/s; 2 memory channels; ECC supported

Strengths and weaknesses

Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus

+ 18 cores and 18 threads for parallel work
+ ECC memory supported, up to 256 GB DDR5
+ Reviewers praised its low price and multi-core performance
− Reviewers criticised high idle power draw
− 125 W base power, 159 W maximum turbo
− Reviewers noted gaming shortfalls and limited Gen 5 SSD speeds

Skip it if:

Homelabbers building a low-power server that stays on around the clock
Gamers who want the best gaming results above all
Buyers planning around the fastest Gen 5 SSD speeds

Read the full Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus review ›

Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus

+ 24 cores and 24 threads for compiling and VMs
+ Reviewers praised its price-to-performance
+ ECC support listed, plus HEVC hardware encode and decode
− Highest idle power in Tom's Hardware's test pool
− Reviewers report heat and high power draw
− Gaming trails AMD X3D chips, per reviewers

Skip it if:

Homelabbers building a low-power, always-on server
Gamers who want the fastest gaming chip, such as an AMD X3D part
Anyone who needs confirmed AV1 hardware encoding

Read the full Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus review ›

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