After two not very convincing reviews of the new Arrow Lake platform, I had the opportunity to look at the opposite half of the spectrum, namely the cheaper Intel Core Ultra 5 245K. Together with the Core Ultra 5 245KF, these are currently the cheapest processors offered by Intel for the new LGA1851 socket. However, with a price tag slightly below 9,000 CZK including VAT, the processor cannot be considered an affordable low-end.
The processor is more expensive than the competing eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, which also has lower consumption. In addition, the twelve-core AMD Ryzen 9 7900X or older Intel processors peek out dangerously at us. With the current price of the entire platform and the difficulties that accompany Arrow Lake, the Core Ultra 5 245K will have a rather difficult time in my opinion.
The processor was purchased in a Czech e-shop and sent to me by ASUS, so it is not a “golden sample”, but a normal piece from the store. We get the processor in a simple paper box, while we don’t find the cooler in the package.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has six large cores without HT and eight small cores, also without HT. Large cores can boost up to 5.2 GHz and small cores up to 4.6 GHz. The power limits of the processor are 125W PL1 and 159W PL2, however, the processor only consumes the full 159W under heavy multi-threaded load.
To please Tralalák, I am also adding a quick test from CPU-Z where the modern Core Ultra 5 245K can match up to five-year-old processors in multi-threaded performance. Interestingly, according to the CPU-Z benchmark, the six P cores have the same MT performance as the 2017 AMD Ryzen 7 1700X, but the single-threaded performance is significantly higher.
I used the motherboard again to test the processor ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 HEROwhich featured in the very first Core Ultra 9 285K review. I flashed the newer BIOS version 0902 to the board, hoping that would fix some of the issues. For more stability, I used the good old HyperX Fury RGB 2x16GB DDR5-6000 kit, which worked fine.
Even so, I came across a problem that trolled me unkindly, very often after turning on the computer it happened that the board complained about a malfunctioning VGA card with a diagnostic LED. Typically, it was enough to restart or turn off/on the computer 5 times and everything was OK. Of course, I tried blowing out the PCIe slot, removing/reseating the processor and cleaning the contacts of the test ASUS TUF GAMING GeForce RTX 4090 with isopropyl alcohol, but that didn’t help and sometimes the computer decided it couldn’t see the RTX 4090 at all.
This is my anecdotal experience and it is possible that this is some bug in the BIOS since this is a very fresh platform. At the time of writing I found out that there is a newer BIOS version 1002 on the board which also has newer microcode and the tested version 0902 is not even available for download anymore.
Let’s take another look at the ASUS hi-end board, it is very well equipped and I would say that in terms of port equipment, Intel with the Z890 chipset has the upper hand against AMD with the X870/X870E.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has a total of 24 PCIe lanes available, sixteen are Gen5 and intended for additional cards, we also have four Gen5 lanes for M.2 SSDs and four more Gen4 lanes for additional SSDs. In addition, the processor has a DMI interface to connect the Z890 south bridge, DMI connectivity corresponds to eight PCIe lanes of the fourth generation. The processor also has two native Thunderbolt 4 ports built in.
The Intel Z890 south bridge itself is fairly well equipped, offering a bunch of USB ports of various speeds, four SATA ports and another twenty fourth-generation PCIe lines, which are variously scattered around things like a WiFi module, Ethernet chipsets and the like. ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 HERO in addition, it uses four PCIe lines to the SlimSAS connector, through which it is possible to mux PCIe or other SATA ports, which is more the domain of server boards, but today miniSAS is not typically used for these purposes, but more modern solutions that extend eight PCIe Gen5 lines.
The board supports a total of six M.2 slots, which is quite a lot and the mainstream platform does not have enough connectivity to connect all SSDs natively. Two SSDs are natively connected to the processor and two M.2 slots are connected to the Intel Z890 south bridge. ASUS solved the remaining two M.2 slots by placing a MUX chip on the board, which divides the sixteen PCIe Gen5 lines into x8x4x4 mode if we install one of these two slots.
It is also worth noting that the motherboard has an additional eight-pin PCIe next to the ATX 24-pin connector, which is used to help with the 12V branch directly on the board, since the 24-pin alone would not support six M.2 slots and, for example, 75W via the main PCIe slot. If you plan to install more M.2 drives and PCIe cards, it is important to connect this connector to the power supply.
Of course, the board has a lot of OC goodies, four pins for fans, a diagnostic POST display, buttons, a metal backplate and a superbly equipped rear IO panel.
So I installed an Intel Core Ultra 5 245K processor on the board, HyperX Fury RGB 2x16GB DDR5-6000 memory, the cooling was exaggerated in the form ASUS ROG STRIX LC III 360 ARGB. ASUS TUF GAMING GeForce RTX 4090 24GB served as the graphics card, and I used Windows 11 Pro 24H2 as the operating system, which were installed on a Kingston KC3000 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD. Everything was then powered by the GIGABYTE UD1000GM as always.
As for the BIOS settings, I basically left the factory settings, of course I turned on the XMP profile and the Intel Default Settings power profile, which was only available in the Performance variant of the Core Ultra 5 245K.
After evaluating two underwhelming reviews of Intel’s new Arrow Lake platform, I was eager to examine its more budget-friendly counterpart, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K. Paired with the Core Ultra 5 245KF, these processors represent Intel’s most economical offerings currently available for the LGA1851 socket. However, with a price point hovering just below 9,000 CZK, including VAT, calling this processor a genuine low-end option would be misleading.
The Core Ultra 5 245K is priced higher than the competing AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, which also boasts better energy efficiency. Additionally, the more powerful twelve-core AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and older Intel processors loom as significant contenders in the market. Given the overall costs associated with the platform and the prevailing issues with Arrow Lake, I believe the Core Ultra 5 245K may struggle to find its footing among consumers.
The processor was acquired from a Czech e-shop and subsequently sent to me by ASUS. This ensures that what I received was a standard retail piece rather than a specially-selected “golden sample.” Unfortunately, the processor is packaged in a basic cardboard box, and notably, it does not include a cooler.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K features six sizable cores without Hyper-Threading, paired with eight smaller cores, also devoid of Hyper-Threading. The large cores can boost performance up to an impressive 5.2 GHz, while the smaller cores reach a maximum of 4.6 GHz. Concerning power consumption, the processor operates within a power limit of 125W for PL1 and 159W for PL2—but under heavy multi-threaded workloads, it is only under these full power limits that the processor utilizes the complete 159W.
To satisfy an inquiry from Tralalák, I’ve conducted a fast test with CPU-Z, revealing that the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K can indeed hold its own against processors that are five years old in terms of multi-threaded performance. Notably, the CPU-Z benchmark indicated that the six performance cores of the 245K achieve multi-threaded performance comparable to the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X from 2017, while delivering significantly enhanced single-threaded performance.
I employed the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 HERO motherboard again for this processor testing, which I had previously used in the initial Core Ultra 9 285K review. To enhance stability, I flashed the motherboard with the newer BIOS version 0902, hoping to rectify some earlier performance issues. For added reliability, I utilized the tried-and-true HyperX Fury RGB 2x16GB DDR5-6000 RAM, which functioned flawlessly during testing.
However, I faced an unexpected challenge where the motherboard frequently complained about a malfunctioning VGA card upon booting. This issue typically required a series of restarts—about five—before the system would recognize the graphics card fully. Despite attempts to clean the PCIe slot and reseat the processor, including using isopropyl alcohol to clean the contacts on the ASUS TUF GAMING GeForce RTX 4090, the problem persisted, leading to instances where the computer outright failed to detect the RTX 4090.
This anecdotal experience suggests a possible BIOS bug, especially considering this is a relatively new platform. Interestingly, upon further research during my write-up, I discovered a more recent BIOS version 1002 available for the board that includes updated microcode, with version 0902 no longer accessible for download.
Turning back to the high-end ASUS board, it impressively showcases an abundance of ports, suggesting that Intel’s Z890 chipset holds a competitive edge against AMD’s X870 and X870E offerings.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K processor boasts a total allocation of 24 PCIe lanes, with sixteen lanes operating at Gen5 speeds dedicated to add-in cards. Additionally, there are four Gen5 lanes reserved for M.2 SSDs and another four Gen4 lanes available for additional SSDs. The processor also includes a DMI interface connecting to the Z890 south bridge, which corresponds to eight PCIe lanes of fourth-generation connectivity. Moreover, it is equipped with two native Thunderbolt 4 ports.
The Intel Z890 south bridge itself is well-appointed, featuring numerous USB ports with varying speeds, four SATA ports, and an additional twenty PCIe lines for various uses, including support for WiFi modules and Ethernet chipsets. The ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 HERO further benefits from utilizing four PCIe lines for the SlimSAS connector, allowing for flexible configuration options, although miniSAS is increasingly being substituted for newer technologies capable of extending eight PCIe Gen5 lines.
The motherboard supports up to six M.2 slots, a notable feature, as mainstream platforms typically lack the connectivity required to natively accommodate all SSDs. Out of the six, two SSDs connect directly to the processor while the other two are linked to the Intel Z890 south bridge. ASUS innovatively addressed the additional two M.2 slots by incorporating a MUX chip, which proficiently segments the sixteen PCIe Gen5 lines into an x8x4x4 configuration based on installation preferences.
It is critical to note that an additional eight-pin PCIe connector is located next to the ATX 24-pin connector on the motherboard. This connector aids the 12V branch powered directly on the board, since relying solely on the 24-pin connector may not adequately support all six M.2 slots alongside a typical 75W requirement through the main PCIe slot. If you intend to install multiple M.2 drives and PCIe components, connecting this supplementary power connector is essential.
The board features an extensive array of overclocking tools, including four fan headers, a diagnostic POST display, operational buttons, a durable metal backplate, and a remarkably equipped rear I/O panel.
I concluded the assembly by installing the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K processor on the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 HERO, accompanied by the HyperX Fury RGB 2x16GB DDR5-6000 memory. For cooling, I opted for the robust ASUS ROG STRIX LC III 360 ARGB cooler. The system’s graphical prowess rested with the ASUS TUF GAMING GeForce RTX 4090 featuring 24GB of VRAM, and the Windows 11 Pro 24H2 operating system was installed on a Kingston KC3000 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD. Power was reliably supplied by the GIGABYTE UD1000GM, as per usual.
In terms of BIOS settings, I predominantly retained the factory defaults, activating the XMP profile and the Intel Default Settings power profile, which was only available in the Performance mode for the Core Ultra 5 245K.
How does the extra eight-pin PCIe connector enhance the performance of high-wattage PCIe cards and multiple M.2 drives?
An be directly connected to the processor, while two M.2 slots connect to the Intel Z890 south bridge. To accommodate the remaining two M.2 slots, ASUS cleverly incorporated a MUX chip, enabling the division of the sixteen PCIe Gen5 lines into configurations of x8/x4/x4, allowing for installation of M.2 drives while maintaining optimal performance.
Moreover, the motherboard features an extra eight-pin PCIe connector situated next to the standard ATX 24-pin connector. This additional power connector supports the 12V branch directly on the board, ensuring that the power demands of the six M.2 slots and potentially high-wattage PCIe cards can be sufficiently met. It’s critical for users planning to install multiple high-performance storage devices or graphics cards to connect this power supply to ensure stable operation.
In terms of other features, the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 HERO boasts a plethora of overclocking (OC) options, including multiple fan headers, a diagnostic POST display, and dedicated buttons for easy system tuning. The board also comes with a robust rear I/O panel, featuring an array of ports to cater to diverse connectivity needs, including high-speed USB ports, Ethernet, and audio outputs.
For my test setup, I paired the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K with HyperX Fury RGB 2x16GB DDR5-6000 memory and indulged in some overkill cooling using the ASUS ROG STRIX LC III 360 ARGB liquid cooler. The graphics card of choice was the ASUS TUF GAMING GeForce RTX 4090 with 24GB of VRAM, and the system was booted using Windows 11 Pro 24H2 installed on a Kingston KC3000 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD. Powering the setup was a GIGABYTE UD1000GM power supply, which has proven reliable in previous builds.
As for my BIOS configuration, I largely retained the factory settings, with the XMP profile activated to ensure optimal memory performance. I also selected the Intel Default Settings power profile for the processor, which is only available in the Performance variant of the Core Ultra 5 245K.
the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K, despite its positioning in the market, brings a commendable performance profile and the advantageous pairing with the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 HERO motherboard makes for a potent platform. However, the competitive landscape—including AMD’s strong offerings—poses significant challenges for Intel’s pricing strategy and energy efficiency claims. As such, while the performance aspects of this combination are promising, potential consumers may still need to weigh their options carefully amidst the current offerings in both the Intel and AMD camps.