Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
Also called intel core ultra 5 250k plus, core ultra 5 250k plus, 250k plus, core-ultra-5-250k-plus
Intel Core Ultra 5 desktop processor on Arrow Lake, with 18 cores and 18 threads and 30720 KB L2, 30 MB L3 at 125 W TDP on a 3 nm process addressing up to 256 GB and Intel Graphics.
What you need to know
Still a capable Core Ultra 5 desktop chip.
Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus launched in January 1, 2026., It has 18 cores and 18 threads on Arrow Lake, dropping into the FCLGA1851 socket. It is no longer the newest SKU in every store, but the chip is still useful when the rest of the PC keeps up.
- Still good?
- Yes, for most work this class is sold for
- Product age
- Less than a year old
- Upgrade pressure
- Low
What this hardware means today
Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.
- Performance today
- Excellent. Excellent for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
- Product age 0 years old
- Current generation. Launched January 1, 2026. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
- Support status
- Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
- Upgrade pressure
- Low. Upgrade pressure is low unless you need a different platform feature.
Where does it sit?
Arrow Lake sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.
Performance context
These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.
Gaming: Very Good
Plenty for current games when the GPU is the limit, which it often is.
Productivity: Excellent
18 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.
Multithreaded workloads: Good
18 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.
General use: Excellent
Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.
Efficiency: Average
Rated 125 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.
Should you upgrade?
Probably not if this chip already matches your work.
Upgrade makes more sense if
- Your workload is strongly CPU limited
- You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
- You need substantially more multicore performance
- You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer
Upgrade makes less sense if
- The GPU is the real bottleneck
- Current applications are already responsive
- The CPU rarely limits your workload
Specifications
Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is built on Arrow Lake using a 3 nm process.
| Manufacturer | Intel |
|---|---|
| Family | Core Ultra 5 |
| Architecture | Arrow Lake |
| Generation | Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2) |
| Manufacturing process | 3 nm |
| Segment | Desktop |
Cores and threads
Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads.
| Cores | 18 (6 P-cores + 12 E-cores) |
|---|---|
| P-cores | 6 |
| E-cores | 12 |
| Threads | 18 |
| Hybrid architecture | Yes |
Clock speeds
Base clock is 4.2 GHz. Boost reaches 5.3 GHz.
| Base frequency | 4.2 GHz |
|---|---|
| Max boost | 5.3 GHz |
Cache
Cache on this sheet is 30 MB L3.
| L2 cache | 30720 KB |
|---|---|
| L3 cache | 30 MB |
| Total cache | 60 MB |
Memory
Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus addresses 256 GB across 2 memory channels.
| Supported types | DDR5 |
|---|---|
| Max capacity | 256 GB |
| Channels | 2 |
| ECC support | Yes |
Package and power
Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses the FCLGA1851 socket and a 125 W TDP.
| Socket | FCLGA1851 |
|---|---|
| TDP | 125 W |
| PCIe | Revision 5.0, 24 lanes |
Integrated graphics
Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus includes Intel Graphics.
| Integrated graphics | Intel Graphics |
|---|
Market
Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus launched January 1, 2026 at USD 219 (suggested price at launch).
| Launch date | January 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Launch MSRP | USD 219 (suggested price at launch) |
| Model | 250K PLUS |
Features
Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus records 6 instruction sets on this sheet.
| Instruction sets | AES-NIAVX2CET64-bit (x86-64)SSE4.1SSE4.2 |
|---|---|
| Security | Control-flow Enforcement (CET)Boot GuardHardware RNGOS GuardMode-Based Execute Control |
| Virtualization | Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization) |
| AI acceleration | Gaussian Neural Accelerator |
Independent scores
These are PassMark CPU figures. They are not Feex measurements.
| Single-core score | 4,874 |
|---|---|
| Multi-core score | 53,140 |
| Overall score | 16,094 |
| Productivity score | 41,365 |
| Creator score | 38,000 |
| Engineering score | 62,772 |
| Gaming score | 27,907 |
| Performance per watt | 425.1 |
Compatibility
| Socket | FCLGA1851 |
|---|---|
| Board | A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision. |
| Memory | DDR5, up to 256 GB |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics |
A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.
Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name.
Read the memory list on the board. The CPU can list more standards than one motherboard will accept.
No post after a CPU swap
Clear CMOS only after you confirm the board list includes this SKU and the BIOS is new enough. A supported name on a box is not the same as a flashed board.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.
- Feex Hardware Database · Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0.
- PassMark Software · CPU benchmark page for Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
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