Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Drops to Record Low Price — 20 Cores for $154

Intel has set a new price record for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, slashing its cost to just $154 on Amazon. This represents a 30% discount compared to the $220 recommended retail price and is even cheaper than the non-graphics Core Ultra 5 250KF model. Despite its budget-friendly price, the chip retains flagship-level specs: 20 cores (6 performance P-cores Lion Cove and 12 efficiency E-cores Skymont) and 20 threads.

The processor boasts a maximum clock speed of 5.5 GHz and supports overclocking, making it appealing to enthusiasts. However, full overclocking requires a Z-series chipset motherboard. Notably, the chip already includes overclocking enhancements, such as a 900 MHz increase in inter-chip interconnect frequency and a 400 MHz boost to memory controller speed.

In benchmarks, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus delivers impressive performance. In multi-threaded workloads, it outperforms the Ryzen 7 9700X by 33%, despite costing half as much, and surpasses the Ryzen 5 9600X by 80% at a comparable price. In single-threaded tests, it outperforms all AMD processors, including the top-tier Ryzen 9 9950X. In gaming, its performance is on par with the Core i5-14600K, slightly trailing the Ryzen 7 9700X but remaining 10% faster than the Ryzen 5 7600X3D.

Priced at $154, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is now one of the most compelling offers on the market. It’s an excellent choice for mid-range builds prioritizing both gaming and multitasking performance. With no more affordable alternatives offering similar specs, this deal is worth considering for both new builds and system upgrades.