Intel Core Ultra 7 265K

Intel Core Ultra 7 265K

A 20-core Arrow Lake chip with a solid productivity profile that now sits below its Plus successor.

  • LGA1851
  • 20
  • 20
  • 5.5 GHz
  • 125 W

PCPR score

7.3

Good

Best price we’ve seen

$394MSRP

List price from the maker. Street prices may be higher.

R1

The short version

The Core Ultra 7 265K has 20 cores (8 P plus 12 E), 30 MB of cache and a 125 W base power rating on socket LGA1851. It keeps integrated Xe graphics, an NPU and Thunderbolt 4 support. Reviewers found it competitive in productivity but unconvincing in games at launch. Its newer sibling the 270K Plus adds cores and DDR5-7200 support, which makes this chip a value pick only when discounted.

Pros

  • 20 cores give strong multithreaded performance
  • Fewer thermal demands than Raptor Lake i7 and i9 parts
  • DDR5 6400 support and PCIe 5.0
  • Integrated Xe graphics with Quick Sync

Cons

  • Gaming trails AMD X3D parts
  • The 270K Plus is faster for less in many cases
  • LGA1851 is reported to be a dead-end socket

Best for

  • Productivity builds that also game
  • Buyers who want DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 on a new Intel board

J3

Full specifications

Core

Socket
LGA1851
Series
Core Ultra 200S
Architecture
Arrow Lake
Cores
20
Performance cores
8
Efficiency cores
12
Threads
20

Performance

Base clock
3.9 GHz
Max boost
5.5 GHz
L3 cache
30 MB
3D V-Cache
No
Gaming index
70
Single-thread index
97
Multi-thread index
76

Power

TDP
125 W
Max power (PPT / PL2)
250 W

Features

Integrated graphics
Yes
Integrated GPU
Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores)
Unlocked multiplier
Yes
Cooler in box
No
Process
TSMC N3B
NPU
13 TOPS

Memory

Memory support
DDR5
Rated memory speed
6,400 MT/s
Max memory
256 GB

Expansion

PCIe version
5.0
PCIe lanes
24

Compatibility notes

  • Socket LGA1851 needs an Intel 800-series chipset board (Z890, B860, H810); it is not compatible with LGA1700 boards. Intel notes LGA1700 and LGA1851 coolers are mechanically similar but pin layouts differ.
  • DDR5 only, up to 6400 MT/s per Intel's spec page.
  • Needs a separate cooler rated for 125 W base power.

P1

Where to buy

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AV1

Video reviews

Mixed · Review

Intel Core Ultra 7 265K CPU Review & Benchmarks vs. 285K, 245K, 7800X3D, 7900X, & More

Gamers Nexus

Gamers Nexus' launch review of the 265K against the 285K, 245K and 7800X3D. Covers the non-F 265K, which has identical CPU cores.

Positive · Review

Intel Core 7 Ultra 265K Review: Is This The CPU for a 10-Year PC?

The Don Tech

The Don Tech asks whether the 265K can anchor a long-lived PC build. Covers the non-F 265K, which has identical CPU cores.

Overview · Comparison

Core Ultra 7 270K Plus vs Core Ultra 7 265K (Worth Upgrading?)

The Don Tech

A comparison of the 270K Plus against the Core Ultra 7 265K asking whether the upgrade is worth it.

Overview · Review

Intel Core Ultra 7 265K Review – 20 Cores Up to 5.5GHz

Value Vault

A short review summarising the 20-core, 5.5 GHz chip. Covers the non-F 265K, which has identical CPU cores.

R9

Common questions

Which motherboards work with the Core Ultra 7 265K?

It uses socket LGA1851 and needs an Intel 800-series chipset board. LGA1700 boards from the previous two generations will not fit.

What memory does the Core Ultra 7 265K support?

Intel lists DDR5 only, up to 6400 MT/s across two channels and up to 256 GB. It does not support DDR4, so it needs a DDR5 LGA1851 board.

Is the 265K worth buying over the 270K Plus?

The 270K Plus has 24 cores and DDR5-7200 support and is described by Tom's Hardware as a large improvement over the 265K. The 265K only makes sense when it is clearly cheaper.

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