Intel Core i5-13600K vs Intel Core Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 245K
You might think the Intel Core i5-13600K would take the crown, but the Intel Core Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 245K brings some serious competition with its 5.2 GHz boost clock. The real kicker? The Ultra 5 offers better power efficiency and modern connectivity options like Thunderbolt 4 and WiFi 7. In real-world usage, the i5-13600K excels at gaming with its 44MB cache, making it a powerhouse for gamers, while the Ultra 5's 50MB cache shines in multi-threaded tasks and AI workloads. However, the i5-13600K draws up to 181W, which can lead to higher electricity bills, while the Ultra 5 is more efficient at 159W, making it a smarter buy for those concerned about power consumption in 2026 and beyond.
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Intel Core i5-13600K
Intel Core Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 245K
Comparison: Intel Core i5-13600K vs Intel Core Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 245K
Intel Core i5-13600K
Intel Core Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 245K
| Criterion | Intel Core i5-13600K | Intel Core Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 245K |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(1,388)Amazon | ★4.5(111)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Raptor Lake (13th Gen Intel Core i5) | Arrow Lake-S (Core Ultra Series 2) |
Socket Platform | Socket LGA1700 (FCLGA1700) | LGA1851 |
Cores Threads | 14 Cores (6P + 8E) / 20 Threads | 14 Cores (6 Performance + 8 Efficient) / 14 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | P-Core: 3.5 / 5.1 GHz; E-Core: 2.6 / 3.9 GHz; Max Turbo: 5.1 GHz | P-core: 4.2–5.2 GHz / E-core: 3.6–4.6 GHz |
Cache L2 L3 | 20 MB L2 + 24 MB L3 (44 MB Total) | 24 MB Intel® Smart Cache (L3) + 26 MB L2 (50 MB Total) |
TDP Power | 125 W (Processor Base Power) | 125 W (Processor Base Power) |
Max Turbo Power | 181 W (Maximum Turbo Power) | 159 W (Maximum Turbo Power) |
Process Node | Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) | TSMC N3B (Compute Tile) / TSMC N6 (SoC Tile) |
Memory Support | DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200; Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support: Yes (W680 chipset required) | DDR5-6400 MT/s (Official); CUDIMM Support; Up to 192 GB |
Memory Bandwidth Max | 89.6 GB/s (DDR5-5600) | 102.4 GB/s (at DDR5-6400) |
Pcie Version | PCIe 5.0 (x16 lanes) + PCIe 4.0 (x4 lanes) | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 |
Pcie Lanes | 20 Total (16 CPU PCIe 5.0 + 4 CPU PCIe 4.0) | 24 (20 PCIe 5.0 + 4 PCIe 4.0 Direct from CPU) |
Igpu | Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs, 300 – 1500 MHz) | Intel® Graphics (4 Xe-cores, 1.9 GHz Max Dynamic) |
Instruction Features | Intel 64, AVX2, AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d, SSE4.1/4.2, Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0 | SSE4.2, AVX2, VNNI, Intel 64, VT-x/d; NPU (13 TOPS AI) |
Cooler Included | No (Air cooler with 180W+ TDP rating or 240mm AIO recommended) | No (Heatsink not included) |
Max Temp | 100°C (212°F) TjMax | 105°C (221°F) Max Operating Temperature |
Notes Limits | Unlocked multiplier. Known as the 'value king' of 13th Gen for gaming. Performance is virtually identical to the 14600K (~2-5% difference). LGA1700 platform is end-of-life. | Requires LGA1851 motherboard (800 Series). No Hyper-Threading. Includes dedicated NPU for AI workloads. |
Chipset Support | Intel 700 Series (Z790, B760, etc.) & 600 Series (BIOS update required) | Intel 800 Series (Z890, B860, H810, etc.) |
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Intel Core i5-13600K
✓ Pros:
- • Outstanding gaming and productivity performance for the price
- • Flexible memory support allows for budget builds with DDR4
- • Cheaper alternative to the 14600K with negligible performance loss
✗ Cons:
- • High power draw (up to 181W) compared to Ryzen 5 competitors
- • No stock cooler included; demands decent aftermarket cooling
- • LGA1700 platform has no future CPU upgrade path
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Intel Core Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 245K
✓ Pros:
- • Significantly improved power efficiency (performance-per-watt) vs. 14th Gen
- • Modern platform connectivity: Native Thunderbolt 4, WiFi 7, PCIe 5.0 lanes
- • Integrated NPU (13 TOPS) accelerates light local AI workloads
- • Run cooler than previous i5-K SKUs under load
✗ Cons:
- • Gaming performance often flat or slightly lower than 14600K/Ryzen 9000
- • Removal of Hyper-Threading reduces multi-core potential in some apps
- • Requires new LGA1851 socket (incompatible with LGA1700)
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Which one is better?
The Intel Core i5-13600K is the better buy for most people - its outstanding gaming performance crushes the Ultra 5. That said, grab the Ultra 5 if you need advanced connectivity and AI capabilities - it's more power-efficient with a lower TDP of 159W.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Intel Core i5-13600K if: you prioritize gaming performance, need DDR4 support for a budget build, or want a processor that's proven for productivity.
Choose the Intel Core Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 245K if: you want the latest connectivity like Thunderbolt 4, are focused on multi-threaded applications, or require a processor with AI capabilities for light workloads.
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Intel Core i5-13600K excels if you value outstanding gaming and productivity performance for the price. Intel Core Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 245K is better if you prioritize significantly improved power efficiency (performance-per-watt) vs. 14th gen. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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