Intel Core Ultra 5 245K socket: LGA 1851

What the Core Ultra 5 245K is

The Core Ultra 5 245K is a 14 core desktop processor from Intel's Core Ultra 200S family, released in October 2024 under the codename Arrow Lake. It has 6 Performance-cores and 8 Efficient-cores for 14 cores and, with no Hyper-Threading, 14 threads. Performance-cores run 4.2 GHz base to 5.2 GHz boost, and Efficient-cores run 3.6 GHz base. The 24 MB L3 cache is shared with 26 MB of total L2.

Intel rates the base power at 125 W with maximum turbo power at 159 W. The compute tile uses TSMC N3B. Integrated Intel Graphics with 4 Xe-cores up to 1.9 GHz cover display output, and an Intel AI Boost NPU with 13 TOPS covers local AI features.

The launch price was $309, and the K suffix marks the unlocked multiplier. Intel includes no cooler with K-series processors.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 245K goes into an LGA 1851 socket. Only motherboards with 800 series chipsets (Z890, B860, H810, Q870, W880) carry it. It is not compatible with the 600 and 700 series boards of LGA 1700.

Z890 boards unlock the multiplier for K-series overclocking, while B860 boards run rated clocks with memory tuning. LGA 1851 boards take DDR5 only, so DDR4 modules cannot transfer. Intel specifies DDR5-6400 across two channels to 256 GB.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

The processor provides 20 PCIe 5.0 lanes plus 4 PCIe 4.0 lanes: a x16 graphics link with additional links for NVMe storage, configurable per board. The chipset adds further lanes for devices and networking.

Cooling must handle 125 W base with turbo peaks above it during heavy loads, so a capable tower air cooler suits most builds. Mounting holes keep the 78 mm pattern shared with LGA 1700, so many LGA 1700 coolers carry over with maker approval. The CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide covers the patterns.

Memory overclocking through XMP profiles works on supporting boards, including CUDIMM kits for higher speeds.

Cores, threads and NPU

Fourteen cores without Hyper-Threading give one thread per core, which keeps scheduling simple for games and creation software. Skymont Efficient-cores take background and throughput work while Lion Cove Performance-cores take latency sensitive tasks.

The 13 TOPS NPU handles Copilot+ style local AI with enough system memory. The 4 Xe-core integrated graphics drive displays and accelerate media without a discrete card.

Against the Core Ultra 7 above, the 245K gives up two Performance-cores and cache for a lower price, which mainstream gaming and office creation rarely notice. Review coverage at launch measured strong efficiency gains over the previous generation alongside modest gaming movement, so buyers chasing frame rates should compare complete system benchmarks first.

Upgrade paths

Within LGA 1851 the 245K sits in the upper mid-range, with the Core Ultra 7 and 9 above it. Coming from 14th Gen, such as the Intel Core i5-12400F, the move needs a new board and DDR5 memory.

Intel's next desktop generation is reported to use a different socket, so LGA 1851 may not extend past the current family. Compare AM5, where AMD stated support through 2029, when long upgrade paths matter.