M3 Ultra vs Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | M3 Ultra | Core Ultra 5 250K Plus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench 2024 single-core | 133 | 139 | -4.3% |
| Cinebench 2024 multi-core | 2,753 | 1,853 | +48.6% |
| Cores | 32 (24P+8E) | 18 (6P+12E) | — |
| TDP (base W) | 140 | 125 | — |
- M3 Ultra is slower than Core Ultra 5 250K Plus by 4.3% in single-core and faster by 48.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
- Core Ultra 5 250K Plus draws less power (125W vs 140W base TDP).
Verdict: M3 Ultra or Core Ultra 5 250K Plus?
M3 Ultra advantages
- Multi-core speed (+33%)
Core Ultra 5 250K Plus advantages
- Single-core speed (+4%)
- Power efficiency (+11%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the M3 Ultra if you render video, compile code or run heavy multitasking.
- Choose the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
M3 Ultra vs Core Ultra 5 250K Plus: which should you choose?
M3 Ultra — 32-core Apple processor (24P+8E) scoring 133 single-core and 2753 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 140 W TDP.
Core Ultra 5 250K Plus — 18-core Intel processor (6P+12E) scoring 139 single-core and 1853 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 125 W TDP and 30 MB L3 cache.
M3 Ultra vs Core Ultra 5 250K Plus: M3 Ultra leads in multi-core performance. M3 Ultra is slower than Core Ultra 5 250K Plus by 4.3% in single-core and faster by 48.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). Core Ultra 5 250K Plus draws less power (125W vs 140W base TDP).
Gaming and single-threaded work
Games and everyday responsiveness lean on single-core speed. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus leads there with a single-core score of 139 versus 133, so it is the marginally better pick for high-refresh gaming — though at typical resolutions the GPU usually decides frame rates.
Content creation and multitasking
For rendering, compilation, video export and other all-core workloads, the M3 Ultra is stronger, posting 2,753 multi-core against 1,853 in Cinebench 2024. Its 32 cores (24 performance + 8 efficiency) give it real headroom for heavy parallel jobs.
Power and platform
The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the more efficient chip at 125 W versus 140 W, which means less heat, quieter cooling and lower running costs under sustained load.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the processor comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the M3 Ultra better than the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus?
These two are closely matched — the right pick comes down to which specific strengths you value and the price you actually pay. M3 Ultra is slower than Core Ultra 5 250K Plus by 4.3% in single-core and faster by 48.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
What is the main difference between the M3 Ultra and the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus?
M3 Ultra is slower than Core Ultra 5 250K Plus by 4.3% in single-core and faster by 48.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). Core Ultra 5 250K Plus draws less power (125W vs 140W base TDP).
Which should I choose?
Choose the M3 Ultra if you render video, compile code or run heavy multitasking. Choose the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
Methodology
Processors are compared on Cinebench 2024 single-core and multi-core scores from published leaderboard results, alongside core configuration (performance + efficiency cores), base TDP, L3 cache, PassMark CPU Mark, 1080p gaming scores and street pricing where measured. Cinebench reflects rendering-style workloads; gaming performance depends heavily on the GPU and the specific title, so treat single-core standing as directional. Figures reflect the leaderboard snapshot on the page date.