Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Processor 250K Plus 18 cores
- CPU Processor
- 125 watts
- 1
- 16
- Better rated than 56%
A capable unlocked chip for a fresh Intel 800 series build, best paired with a Z-series board and solid cooling to use the overclocking headroom it is built for.
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How it ranks among the 16 cpu processors we track
4.8★ across 58 Amazon ratings, Bayesian-smoothed toward the category average.
58 Amazon ratings, weighted on a log scale so huge counts don't drown everything.
300+ bought on Amazon last month.
Brand identity, imagery, description and spec coverage.
The ProductDome score is separate from the Amazon rating shown above: it combines the Bayesian-smoothed Amazon rating with evidence volume, tracked demand, and data quality across the 16 cpu processors we track - how the scorecard works · full cpu processors data report. Confidence: medium - useful but incomplete evidence.Updated 6 days ago. Data-computed, not a hands-on test. Compiled by the ProductDome Research Team.
Overview
Intel Core Ultra 5 processor 250K Plus with 18 cores, 6 performance plus 12 efficiency, turbo clocks up to 5.5 GHz, built for the LGA1851 socket on Intel 800 series chipset motherboards.
This sits in Intel's current Ultra 5 lineup as an unlocked, overclocking-friendly chip for the newer LGA1851 platform, distinct from the older LGA1700 generation. The hybrid design pairs 6 performance cores with 12 efficiency cores, a layout aimed at balancing single-thread gaming speed with multi-threaded productivity work. Its 125W base and 250W max turbo power figures mean cooling and motherboard VRM capability matter more than with a lower-power chip.
- 18 cores: 6 performance cores plus 12 efficiency cores
- Turbo boost up to 5.5 GHz
- LGA1851 socket on Intel 800 series chipsets
- Unlocked for overclocking on Z-series boards
Who it's for
Suits a builder assembling a new Intel 800 series platform who wants unlocked overclocking headroom and DDR5 support at up to 7200 MT/s. Not a fit for anyone with an existing LGA1700 board, since this requires the newer LGA1851 socket and a new motherboard purchase.
Strengths and trade-offs
Drawn from this product's published specifications.
- 18-core hybrid design balances gaming and multi-threaded work
- Unlocked for overclocking on Z-series 800 chipset boards
- Supports PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 up to 7200 MT/s
- Requires a new LGA1851 motherboard, incompatible with older Intel boards
- 250W max turbo power calls for a capable cooler
- No reviews yet to confirm real-world overclocking results
Performance notes
The 6 performance plus 12 efficiency core layout lets heavier single-threaded tasks like gaming lean on the P-cores while background and multi-threaded work spreads across the E-cores, a split that generally favors responsiveness over raw multi-core throughput compared to an all-P-core design. Being unlocked, it needs a Z-series chipset board to actually access overclocking, and the 250W max turbo power figure means a cooler rated well above stock is worth budgeting for if you intend to push clocks. PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 at up to 7200 MT/s give it current-generation bandwidth for both storage and memory.
Specifications
| Brand | Intel® |
|---|---|
| Model | ULTRA 5 250K |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Item Weight | 1.4 ounces |
| Item Dimensions L x W | 4.6 × 1.7 inches |
| Cache Memory Installed Size | 30 MB |
| Capacity & performance | |
| Processor Speed | 3.3 GHz |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Power & efficiency | |
| Wattage | 125 watts |
| Included components | |
| Unit Count | 1 |
| Warranty & support | |
| Warranty Description | 3 years |
| Other details | |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Processor Core Count | 16 |
| Processor Count | 18 |
| Mfr Part Number | BX80768250K |
| Platform | Not Machine Specific |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| Processor Number of Concurrent Threads | 36 |
| Processor Series | Intel Core Ultra 5 |
| Processor Socket | LGA 1851 |
| Secondary Cache | 30 MB |
| BuiltIn Media | Core Ultra 5 Process 250K Plus |
Other Intel® cpu processors
How it compares
This product against the closest alternatives we track in cpu processors.
| Product | Amazon rating | Ratings | ProductDome score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Processor 250K Plus 18 coresThis product | 4.8 / 5 | 58 | 4.2 / 5 |
| AMD RYZEN 7 9800X3D 8-CoreAMD | 4.8 / 5 | 6,100 | 4.8 / 5 |
| INTEL CPU Core i5-12400F / 6/12 / 2.5GHz / 6xxChipset / BX8071512400FINTEL | 4.8 / 5 | 3,000 | 4.5 / 5 |
| AMD Ryzen™ 7 9700X 8-CoreAMD | 4.8 / 5 | 2,600 | 4.6 / 5 |
| AMD Ryzen™ 9 9900X 12-CoreAMD | 4.8 / 5 | 1,700 | 4.6 / 5 |
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Questions about the Intel® ULTRA 5 250K
Common buyer questions answered straight from the product spec data - no fluff, no "it depends".
What socket does the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus use?
LGA1851, requiring an Intel 800 series chipset motherboard rather than an older LGA1700 board.
Is the 250K Plus unlocked for overclocking?
Yes, it is unlocked and intended to be paired with a Z-series chipset board to access overclocking headroom.
What memory speed does this CPU support?
DDR5 memory up to 7200 MT/s.