Intel’s upcoming Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has quietly appeared in benchmark databases, offering a glimpse into the company’s Arrow Lake Refresh lineup ahead of its expected debut next month. The new CPU marks a significant evolution over its predecessor, the Core Ultra 5 245K, by introducing an 18-core design—comprising 6 performance cores and 12 efficiency cores—a four-core increase that could appeal to power users and content creators demanding higher thread counts.
The 250K Plus also sets a new bar for clock speeds, with a boost frequency of 5.3 GHz for its performance cores, up by 100 MHz from the 245K. Efficiency cores maintain their previous peak at 4.7 GHz, while base clocks remain steady at 4.2 GHz. Despite the additional cores and higher turbo speeds, Intel has kept power consumption in check, with a 125W base TDP and 159W turbo limit, identical to the 245K. This suggests Intel has optimized power delivery without sacrificing performance, a critical balance for desktop enthusiasts.
Cache allocations reflect the CPU’s design priorities, with 6MB of L2 cache and 30MB of L3 cache, unchanged from the 245K. Early Geekbench results show strong multi-threaded performance, scoring 15,251 points in the multicore test—a figure that could translate to noticeable gains in rendering, video editing, and virtualization tasks. Single-core performance, while not groundbreaking at 3,113 points, aligns with Intel’s focus on efficiency-driven workloads.
The 250K Plus is slated to compete in the sub-$300 segment, positioning it as a premium upgrade over the Core Ultra 5 245K, which currently retails around $200–$215. It will remain compatible with LGA 1851 motherboards, though Intel’s transition to LGA 1954 with the Nova Lake architecture later this year may limit its long-term viability. For now, the 250K Plus represents a compelling option for users seeking to maximize core count before the shift to a new socket.
Key Specifications
- Core Configuration: 18 cores (6P + 12E)
- Base Clock: 4.2 GHz
- Boost Clock: 5.3 GHz (P-cores), 4.7 GHz (E-cores)
- Cache: 6MB L2, 30MB L3
- TDP: 125W (base), 159W (turbo)
- Socket: LGA 1851
- Expected Price: Under $300
- Launch: Next month (CES 2026 follow-up)
The 250K Plus’s expanded core count and modest clock speed increases hint at a design optimized for productivity rather than raw single-threaded performance. While it may not surpass AMD’s latest Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 in gaming or lightly threaded applications, its multi-core strength could make it a standout choice for workloads like 3D rendering, AI acceleration, and server-like tasks. Early adopters should note that performance may improve with final firmware and retail silicon, but the CPU’s power efficiency suggests it won’t overheat or drain power excessively in demanding scenarios.
For those already invested in LGA 1851 platforms, the 250K Plus offers a compelling reason to upgrade before Intel’s socket transition. However, buyers should weigh whether the additional cores justify the price premium over the 245K, especially if they’re not yet ready to commit to a Nova Lake-ready system. The CPU’s arrival underscores Intel’s push to refine its hybrid architecture, even as competitors like AMD continue to innovate in 3D V-Cache and AI-focused designs.
