Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and 270K Plus land today, March 26, 2026, and they arrive with a clear message: AMD’s value leadership just ended. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is an 18-core, 18-thread processor made by Intel, launched today at an MSRP of $199, with the higher-end Core Ultra 7 270K Plus (24 cores, 24 threads) priced at $299. Both chips use the LGA 1851 socket and work with Intel’s 800-series chipset, though a BIOS update will likely be required. This is the Arrow Lake Refresh generation, which adds E-cores and fixes issues that plagued the original Arrow Lake lineup.
Key Takeaways
- Core Ultra 5 250K Plus costs $199 MSRP, $100 cheaper than competing Ryzen 7000-series chips.
- Core Ultra 7 270K Plus delivers 24 cores at $299, matching or beating AMD’s performance at lower cost.
- Both chips support DDR5-7200 memory, marking a significant platform upgrade from prior generations.
- Performance-per-dollar metrics show the 250K Plus at $2.53 per 1440p frame, outpacing AMD’s high-end options.
- BIOS updates required on existing 800-series boards; check your motherboard manufacturer’s support page.
Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Specs and Performance
The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus packs 6 performance cores and 12 efficiency cores, clocking at 4.2 GHz base (P-cores) and 3.3 GHz (E-cores), with turbo speeds hitting 5.3 GHz and 4.6 GHz respectively. That’s 18 threads of processing power with 30MB of L2 cache, all within a 125W TDP (though Intel spec lists up to 159W under peak load). The chip delivers 13% better performance than its predecessor, the Core Ultra 5 245K, in multi-threaded applications. Where this chip shines is value: reviewers note the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus achieves 107.52 Geekbench multicore points per dollar spent, crushing AMD’s Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 7 9700X in efficiency metrics. For creators working in video editing, 3D rendering, or compression tasks, the extra E-cores justify the modest price bump over budget alternatives.
One reviewer from Level1Techs put it plainly: “The Core Ultra 5 here is sort of the value champion coming in at over $100 less” than comparable AMD options. The real win isn’t raw speed—it’s bang-for-buck. Gaming performance stays competitive, with the 250K Plus delivering roughly 98.6% of the higher-end 270K Plus’s frame rates at 1440p. That means you’re not sacrificing much for the $100 savings, a rarity in the CPU market.
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus: The Productivity Powerhouse
The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus steps up to 24 cores (8 P-cores, 16 E-cores) and 24 threads, with base clocks of 3.7 GHz (P) and 3.2 GHz (E), turbo reaching 5.4-5.5 GHz and 4.7 GHz. It carries 40MB of L2 cache and the same 125W TDP as its smaller sibling, though Intel lists 250W in their official specs. At $299, this chip targets creators who need serious multi-threaded grunt without paying flagship prices. The 270K Plus achieves 79.23 Geekbench multicore points per dollar, still ahead of AMD’s Ryzen 9000X series processors. For video professionals, 3D artists, and developers running heavy workloads, the extra 6 cores over the 250K Plus justify the $100 premium.
Compared to AMD’s current lineup, the 270K Plus undercuts the Ryzen 7 9850X 3D in some applications while costing substantially less. It’s not the fastest chip for pure gaming, but it’s the most sensible choice if you split time between gaming and creative work. The DDR5-7200 memory support on both chips represents a platform upgrade that AMD hasn’t yet matched at this price tier.
Where to Buy Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and 270K Plus
Both processors launch today with availability from major retailers, though the research brief does not provide an exhaustive list of specific retailer links. Street prices may vary due to market factors, so checking multiple vendors is wise. The MSRP for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus starts at $199, though some listings show $219 depending on regional pricing and retailer markup. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus holds firm at $299 MSRP. Since these are brand-new Arrow Lake Refresh chips, stock may be limited in the first week—pre-orders through major electronics retailers are your safest bet if you want day-one delivery.
One critical note: verify that your motherboard’s BIOS supports these processors. Both chips use the LGA 1851 socket and require 800-series chipset boards, but existing boards will need a BIOS update before the new CPUs post. Check your motherboard manufacturer’s support page for the latest BIOS version before purchasing.
Arrow Lake Refresh Fixes Prior Generation Issues
The original Arrow Lake generation faced criticism for its E-core count and platform stability. The Refresh addresses both. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus adds 4 threads (and thus 4 E-cores) compared to the 245K it replaces. More E-cores mean better multi-threaded scaling, especially in applications that can distribute workloads across efficiency cores without draining power. Intel also introduced new binary optimization tools and significant BIOS/platform updates to improve overall stability and performance. These aren’t revolutionary changes, but they’re the kind of incremental refinements that matter to enthusiasts upgrading from Zen 5 or older Intel chips.
Should You Buy the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus or 270K Plus?
If you’re building a mid-range PC for gaming with light creative work, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus at $199 is the no-brainer. It delivers near-flagship gaming performance at a fraction of the cost, and the E-core boost helps with streaming, video encoding, or background tasks. If you’re a content creator who spends more time in Premiere, Blender, or After Effects than in games, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is worth the extra $100—those 6 additional cores make a tangible difference in render times and export speeds.
Neither chip is for high-end workstation users or competitive esports players chasing 240+ fps. The Core Ultra 9 285K exists for that crowd, though it now costs less than MSRP at street prices. But for the vast middle ground—gamers who also create, creators who also game, and budget-conscious upgraders—these Arrow Lake Refresh chips represent the best value Intel has offered in years. One reviewer summarized it bluntly: “Intel’s basically finishing off six core CPUs. The value here is really good”.
Is the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus better than AMD’s Ryzen 5 9600X?
Yes, for value. The 250K Plus costs roughly $100 less while delivering similar gaming performance and better multi-threaded scaling thanks to its extra E-cores. In pure gaming, the Ryzen 5 9600X may pull ahead by a few frames, but the Intel chip’s price advantage and platform features (DDR5-7200 support, newer architecture) make it the smarter buy for most buyers.
Do I need a BIOS update to use these CPUs?
Almost certainly yes. Both the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and 270K Plus require LGA 1851 socket boards with 800-series chipsets, and existing boards will need a BIOS update to recognize and boot these new processors. Visit your motherboard manufacturer’s support page, download the latest BIOS, and flash it before installing the CPU.
What’s the TDP and power consumption difference between the two chips?
Both chips list a 125W TDP, though Intel’s official specs show up to 159W for the 250K Plus and 250W for the 270K Plus under sustained peak load. In real-world usage, neither will push your PSU to its limits, but ensure your power supply has adequate 12V rail headroom if you’re pairing either with a high-end GPU.
Intel’s Arrow Lake Refresh launch today marks a turning point in the mid-range CPU market. For the first time in years, Intel is winning on value, not just performance. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to jump from Ryzen 5000 or 7000 series, or if you’re building fresh, these chips deserve serious consideration. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus at $199 is the standout—it’s the CPU that proves you don’t need to spend flagship money to get flagship-adjacent performance.
Where to Buy
Newegg listing the 270K Plus for $349.99 | $249 | $227 | $357
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Tom's Hardware
