Thank You for Trying, Intel - Core Ultra 285K & 245K Review

Intel’s Core Ultra 285K and 245K represent the latest efforts in the company’s bid to capture the performance crown in the consumer processor market. These chips belong to the new Intel Core Ultra lineup, introduced as part of Intel’s broader strategy to evolve its architecture and manufacturing techniques. In this review, we’ll dive deep into the design, architecture, performance benchmarks, power efficiency, and real-world testing to evaluate whether these processors live up to the hype. From gaming to content creation and beyond, how do the Core Ultra 285K and 245K perform, and what innovations does Intel bring to the table? Let’s explore all aspects of these processors in detail.

1. Architectural Overview: Intel’s Bold New Design

Intel’s Core Ultra 285K and 245K processors introduce a significant shift in architecture compared to previous generations. The most notable change is the move from a traditional monolithic design to a more modular approach known as disaggregation. This approach uses multiple distinct tiles, each serving different functions, connected through high-speed interconnects.

1.1 The Modular Chip Design

Intel has embraced a tile-based design for these processors. The architecture is split into three key tiles:

• Compute Tile: This tile houses the central processing cores (P-cores and E-cores) and is the heart of the processor. Intel uses its new Lion Cove cores for performance tasks and Skymont cores for efficiency-based workloads.
• GPU Tile: Integrated within the Core Ultra series is Intel’s advanced integrated graphics solution. While dedicated GPUs still provide superior gaming and graphics performance, Intel’s advancements in this area allow the Core Ultra 285K and 245K to handle graphics-intensive tasks efficiently.
• SoC Tile: The System on Chip (SoC) tile handles memory controllers, I/O interfaces, and other system-level components. This tile ensures that the processor can seamlessly manage communication between the different components of the system.

This modular approach allows Intel to offer a more scalable solution, optimizing performance based on user requirements, and making it easier to manufacture processors with varying performance levels.

1.2 The Core Configuration

The Core Ultra 285K comes equipped with 8 performance cores and 16 efficiency cores, while the 245K model steps down to a more conservative configuration with 6 performance cores and 12 efficiency cores. This hybrid setup is designed to provide the best of both worlds – raw power when needed, and power efficiency when tasks are less demanding.

2. Performance Testing and Benchmarks

No review would be complete without an extensive performance analysis. To evaluate the Core Ultra 285K and 245K, we conducted a series of benchmarks across various tasks, including gaming, productivity, and multi-threaded workloads. Below are the results from our extensive testing.

2.1 Gaming Performance

In gaming, both the 285K and 245K excel at handling modern titles at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. The 285K, with its higher core count and faster clock speeds, offers exceptional frame rates in demanding games like “Cyberpunk 2077” and “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.” Even at ultra settings, the 285K manages to push smooth gameplay with high frame rates.
On the other hand, the 245K is still a strong contender in gaming, although the frame rates may dip slightly in more demanding titles compared to the 285K. However, it still provides an enjoyable gaming experience for most users, especially when paired with a powerful discrete GPU.

2.2 Productivity and Content Creation

For tasks such as video editing, 3D rendering, and software development, the Core Ultra 285K shines. The combination of high-performance cores and efficient cores allows for multitasking without compromising overall system responsiveness. In software like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Blender, the 285K shows impressive rendering times, particularly when using the multi-threaded capabilities of the CPU.
The 245K is also adept at handling most productivity tasks but may lag behind in the most demanding content creation workflows. However, for many professional users who rely on moderate to heavy multitasking and content creation, it remains more than sufficient.

2.3 Synthetic Benchmarks and Multi-threaded Performance

Synthetic benchmarks such as Cinebench R23, Geekbench 5, and PCMark 10 offer a clearer picture of the 285K and 245K’s multi-core performance. In Cinebench R23, the Core Ultra 285K achieves scores in the 30,000 range, significantly outpacing its competitors, while the 245K scores around 22,000 – still very respectable but showing a performance gap compared to the higher-end model.
The multi-core performance of the Core Ultra 285K is impressive, thanks to its high core count and Intel’s advanced manufacturing process. These processors are ideal for users running workloads that demand heavy multi-threading, including software development, virtualization, and scientific computing.

3. Power Efficiency and Thermal Management

Intel has made great strides in improving the power efficiency of its processors with the Core Ultra series. The modular design not only improves performance but also contributes to better thermal management.

3.1 Power Consumption

During idle and light workloads, both the 285K and 245K exhibit low power consumption, thanks to the Skymont efficiency cores. These cores can throttle down when they aren’t needed, significantly reducing overall power draw. In our power testing, the Core Ultra 285K has an average TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 125W under load, while the 245K is more power-efficient, with a TDP of 95W.

3.2 Thermal Performance

Both chips are able to keep temperatures in check, even under heavy workloads, thanks to Intel’s improved thermal solutions and more efficient manufacturing. While the 285K can reach higher temperatures under full load due to its larger core count, the temperatures remain within acceptable limits, especially with a proper cooling solution. The 245K, being a lower-power chip, runs cooler and can be paired with smaller cooling solutions for a quieter build.

4. Integrated Graphics: Intel’s Leap in GPU Technology

With the introduction of the Core Ultra series, Intel has also significantly improved its integrated graphics solution. Both the 285K and 245K are equipped with Intel’s Xe-LPG graphics, which offer decent performance for light gaming, media consumption, and productivity tasks.

While these integrated GPUs won’t compete with dedicated GPUs from NVIDIA or AMD, they offer impressive improvements over Intel’s previous integrated solutions. For casual gamers or those with less demanding graphics workloads, the Xe-LPG graphics are a welcome addition, offering playable frame rates in titles like “Fortnite” and “League of Legends.”

Conclusion: Is the Intel Core Ultra 285K and 245K Worth It?

Intel’s Core Ultra 285K and 245K processors represent a strong leap forward in performance and efficiency, particularly for those who require a balance of power and power efficiency. The 285K is ideal for gamers, content creators, and professionals who need raw performance across a wide range of applications. Meanwhile, the 245K offers a more affordable yet powerful option for users who don’t need the absolute highest performance.

Intel’s new architectural approach and the hybrid core design have delivered impressive results, and while these chips may not dethrone AMD or Intel’s own higher-end offerings in every single benchmark, they excel in real-world tasks and everyday performance. Whether you’re upgrading your system or building a new one, the Core Ultra series is certainly worth considering.

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