By Sandeep 
Intel company has achieved great achievements in the field of microprocessors. Intel launched its first microprocessor 4004 in 1971, since then Intel has been launching new processors of Intel Core series with new features and high performance over time. Similarly, Intel company has introduced its new series Intel Core Ultra processors in the market in 2024. In Intel’s Ultra Core processor series, Intel has incorporated new technology and new features to maximize performance, so that this processor can become a better option in the market for high performance in tasks like gaming, content creation and artificial intelligence, but still the Intel Core series, which has been known for high performance in the market for the last several years, will it be left behind in comparison? It is very important for us to know which processor is better among Intel Core Ultra and Intel Core series, so that today in this article we are presenting a comparison of Intel’s latest launched Intel Core Ultra and the Intel Core processor series running for years, so that we can identify the processor giving high performance. How can this be done?
So today in this article we will make you aware of various aspects of Intel Core Ultra and Intel Core processors, presenting a comparison of various aspects ranging from performance and core architecture to price-to-performance ratio and power efficiency. Whether you are a gamer or a content creator or a new user who wants the best performing processor for his use, then this post will help you to choose which processor is good in the market.
Intel Core vs Core Ultra Series: Complete Overview
Here we have presented the complete details of Intel Core series and Intel Core Ultra series in which we have explained various aspects of processors of both the series and their performance in different tasks, which will make it easier for us to understand the difference between these two series of processors.
Intel Core Processor Series Explained
The Intel Core processors manufactured by Intel have played a vital role in the development of processor technology, which has created various processors to provide stable performance to the general user as well as professional users performing more complex tasks. All the processors presented by Intel in the Core processor series are designed for various options ranging from small and lightweight laptops to large gaming PC workstations and even servers, due to which all these processors have emerged as the best choice for general computer tasks to gaming, content creation and large workstations. These processors from Intel have introduced features such as high clock speed, high number of cores and great energy efficiency that provide stable operation in a variety of tasks.
In this journey started by Intel with its first good performance processor in 2004, Intel has launched different types of processors that have different features and ability to accomplish different types of tasks, which of course present the best processing capabilities and various special elements like Multi Core Turbo Boost and Built in Media Chip together. These processors were once only used for beginners, but after continuous improvements, they now provide the performance required for simple computing tasks as well as gaming, heavy multitasking and complex calculation tasks.
Improvements in Intel Core Processor Series over Time
Intel has been continuously introducing various new generations of processors in the market since 2006, which includes Intel’s Core i3, i5, i7 and i9. These are the four basic level processors of Intel, in which Intel has included features like high number of cores and high clock rate along with efficient power shaft and excellent integrated graphics to maximize its performance.
After continuous improvements in its older generations, Intel launched its new processor i3 in 2010 with features like Turbo Boost and Hyper Threading technology, a new code core and better power processor, which is currently a better option for budget users and similarly, Intel has introduced new processors like i5 and i7 over time, which have features like higher boost clock speed and better power shaft than older generations.
Similarly, after continuous improvements, Intel launched not only Intel’s 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th generation but also the latest 14th generation processors in the market between 2019-2023, which include maximum cores and these processors come with the latest technology of the present time like DDR5 and PCIe 5 with great memory and storage capabilities. In these processors you got the support of the best architectures like Alder Lake and Reactor Lake. Apart from this, cores with performance and efficiency were included in them. Which provide maximum performance with minimum energy consumption.
Almost all processors in Intel’s Core processor series are 10nm to 7nm processors, which use hybrid architecture, which gives maximum performance with minimum energy consumption. In addition, a higher number of cores and threads are included to maximize the base clock speed, which provides stable performance even in complex tasks.
Introducing Intel Core Ultra – A New Era of Performance
Similarly, with continued development, Intel has launched another Intel Core Ultra processor series before the end of 2024, Intel’s Ultra series processors have been launched featuring much higher performance and better energy handling than older generations. All the currently launched Intel Core Ultra series processors give you the ability to handle more demanding workloads, from gaming to more demanding workloads. In which you get to see the latest Intel micro architecture design, you get maximum multi-thread power with a large number of cores and the latest AI capabilities, making it an excellent choice for gamers and content creators as well as users who perform development and complex calculation tasks.
Key Features of Intel Core Ultra Series
Some new features and some key factors included in the Intel Core Ultra processor series have taken the performance to an even higher level. We have described some of the main features of these latest processors from Intel here.
Performance Capabilities
All the latest Intel Core Ultra processors are equipped with the highest number of cores to maximize performance. In this series of processors, you get to see a maximum of 24 cores and 32 threads that give you stable performance in gaming and heavy multitasking tasks. As a result, these processors can be used in various tasks like 4K video editing, 3D model designing, AI programming, etc.
Advanced AI Capabilities
Intel Core Ultra processors also include better AI capabilities than the first series. These processors use Deep Learning Boost (DL) technology, which makes this processor a better choice for AI development tasks as well as complex calculations and big data scientists and researchers who use AI tools to produce data.
Power Efficiency Improvements
Intel Core Ultra processors also see significant improvements in power efficiency. Even though the performance of these processors is not much higher than the previous generations, the Ultra series processors consume less power than the older generation. All processors in this series are designed with Intel’s best power management technology to achieve high levels of performance without increasing power consumption. Due to which this processor is perfect for small and portable battery intensive devices like laptops and ultra-books.
Latest Architecture
Intel’s Core Ultra series processors use Intel’s latest hybrid architecture. Almost all processors in this series of Intel are from 7NM to 3NM, which makes their size even smaller, making them a better choice for small and portable devices.
Thermal Design Power (TDP)
Apart from this, Intel’s Core Ultra processors include a flexible form of TDP, in which the processors of this series use power according to the workload. These processors consume power from a minimum of 125W to a maximum of 200W, due to which you do not need a large cooling solution to complete low tasks, but for complex calculations and heavy multitasking tasks you should use a good cooling system and they heat up very little with minimal energy consumption and require less cooling solution.
Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Although we should use Intel’s latest Ultra processors with dedicated graphics cards, but still there are some situations in which we do not need a dedicated graphics card. For this, Intel has included the highest level integrated graphics like Iris Xe graphics in the Core Ultra series processors, so that we do not need a dedicated graphics card to complete low level tasks. With the help of integrated graphics card in them, we can easily run almost all the latest games at 1080p and can also carry out general content creation tasks like video editing, graphic designing.
Intel Core Ultra vs Core Series: The Ultimate Comparison
Here we have not compared any one generation or any one processor of Intel Core Ultra and Intel Core series. Rather we have compared the average performance and specifications of all processors and generations so that we can know what new features Intel has included in the newly launched Ultra Core series processors compared to their old series Intel Core, whether it has increased their performance and it will help to know their performance limits.
Comparison with Traditional Intel Core Processors:
Intel’s Core processor series includes a wide range of processors that give a wide range of users the power they need to perform a wide range of tasks. The Core series includes entry-level options to high-end processor options, allowing users to choose the right processor for their use cases and needs. Similarly, the latest Intel Core Ultra series also includes processors with different performance levels. These processors give a wide range of user bases the power they need to perform simple computing tasks to high-end production tasks. Both the processors in the series are high-end processors in terms of their capabilities, but there are still some key differences between these two categories of processors, which we have explained here.
Intel Core Ultra vs Intel Core – Key Differences
Cores and Threads:
Intel’s first Core processor series, from its 11th generation to 14th generation processors, have a minimum of 8 cores to a maximum of 24 cores, including performance cores and thread cores. This allows the processors to provide excellent multi-thread performance in various tasks. Similarly, in Intel’s latest launched Ultra Core processor series, you get to see a minimum of 8 cores to a maximum of 24 cores, including performance cores and daft cores, which give maximum multi-threaded performance, especially in tasks that require multiple cores.
Similarly, we can say that the number of cores in Intel’s old Intel Core processor series and the latest Intel Core Ultra series has been kept almost the same, due to which the processors of both the series give good performance from simple computing tasks to heavy multitasking and gaming.
Clock Speed and Boost Performance:
Similarly, in Intel Core series processors, you get to see high base and boost clock speed. The Core series processors have an average base clock speed of 3.5 GHz and a maximum boost clock speed of 6.2 GHz, which allows these processors to deliver faster rendering times in a variety of complex tasks as well as higher frame rates in gaming and editing tasks and similarly the Core Ultra series processors have an average clock speed of 4.2 GHz to a maximum Turbo Boost clock speed of 5.7 GHz, which allows these processors to deliver high performance in a variety of multitasking tasks as well as higher frame rates in gaming and content creation tasks.
After comparing the clock speed and boost clock speed of both we can say that on an average you get to see higher base clock speed in Intel Core Ultra processors, while in terms of boost clock speed the older series of Intel Core offers more boost performance, making it a better choice for complex calculations and large workstations.
Thermal Design Power (TDP) and Power Consumption:
Similarly Intel’s first Core processor series gives an average TDP of 95W to a maximum power consumption of 253W. Due to the high power consumption, we need better cooling solutions for it which increases the overall cost of the large workstation and similarly Intel’s recently launched Ultra Core processor series has an average TDP of 65W to a maximum of 250W and the processors in this series give you a flexible TDP which means these processors consume power according to the workload and different use cases. So for less demanding tasks, we don’t need a big cooling solution.
AI and Machine Learning:
In Intel’s older series of Intel Core processors, you get less AI and machine learning capabilities, whereas in Intel’s latest Intel Core Ultra series, you get the support of Deep Learning Boost technology, so that this processor can better handle detailed machine learning tasks with the help of AI in AI and machine learning tasks, so that these processors can be used more in development and machine language tasks.
Graphics Performance:
And as far as the support of integrated graphics is concerned in both the series of Intel, in Intel’s older Intel Core series processors, you get the support of Intel UHD graphics 750 graphics, so that it completes simple tasks without any dedicated graphics, but for complex tasks and gaming you need a dedicated graphics card, whereas in Intel’s latest launched Ultra Core series processors, you get the support of the latest Intel Arc TM Graphics 140v, so that you can easily run many games at 1080p on these processors without any dedicated graphics card. Many creation tasks like video editing, graphic designing etc. can be completed.
After comparing the integrated graphics of both, we can say that Intern’s latest launched Core Ultra series gives you the support of better integrated graphics, so that you can complete simple tasks without any dedicated graphics and can also enjoy normal gaming.
Compatibility with new technology
The Intel Core series includes a variety of processors that support older technology such as DDR2 to the latest memory ddr3, ddr4 and ddr5. The processors in this series offer different options for storage and graphics card connectivity such as PCIe 3.0, PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0, which means you get a lot of options to add other components. If you want to make your PC future-ready, you can choose a processor that supports the latest technologies such as ddr5 and PCIe 5.0 (for example, you can use 13th and 14th generation processors for i7 and 13th and 14th generation processors for i9) and Intel Core processors support a variety of motherboard sockets including LGA 1200, LGA 1500 and LGA 1700 that users can choose according to their budget and needs. Any option can be chosen as per the performance requirements but the 12th, 13th and 14th generation processors in the Intel Core series only support LGA 1700 socket so be careful while selecting a motherboard with the right socket for your CPU.
And almost all the processors in the Intel Core Ultra series offer the latest connectivity like PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 for only ddr5 memory and storage and graphic card connections and the Ultra series processors offer compatibility with motherboards having the latest LGA 1851 slot. All these features of this series surely make your PC future ready on which you can run current as well as future applications and games easily.
After comparing them we can say that in Intel Core series you get a lot of options to add other components including memory types like ddr3, ddr4 and ddr5 and storage and graphics card connectivity options like PCIe 3.0, PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 along with motherboards with CPU sockets like LGA 1500 and LGA 1700 whereas in Intel’s latest Core Ultra series you get compatibility with only latest ddr5 and PCIe 5.0 along with the latest launched LGA 1851 socket which forces customers to spend more on other components even if they don’t want to.
Price-to-Performance Ratio:
As far as the price-to-performance ratio of Intel Core series processors is concerned, this series has various options of processors at different price levels which allows users to choose the right processor as per their performance requirements and budget and thus get the best performance for their money. However, the high performance options in the Intel Core series are quite expensive and to use them you need to buy more powerful components like motherboards, graphics cards and a bigger cooling system.
Similarly, the Intel Core Ultra series also offers processors of different performance levels at different prices, allowing users to choose an option based on their needs and budget. The Ultra series processors offer more performance than the price, especially the high level performance options, allowing users to use high level processors at a lower price. But to use Ultra series processors, you need to buy the latest LGA 1851 motherboard, which also requires them to spend more money for the new LGA 1851 motherboard.
After comparing both, we can say that in Intel Core series, user can build a high performance PC as per their requirement by choosing low priced options as per their budget, whereas in Intel Core Ultra series, despite having high performance processors at low price, users have to spend more on other components which increases the cost of their PC.
Related: Intel 15th Gen Core Ultra 9 285K Review
Which one should you choose?
Gaming
For users who want to build a PC for gaming, both series of processors offer good performance. But in both series, you have to choose a processor with higher boost clock speed and maximum cores for gaming. In which if you want to use Intel Core Ultra series processor, then you can use Intel Core Ultra 7 265K or Ultra 9 285K processor, so that you can enjoy 4K gaming and vice versa if you choose Intel Core series processor, then you should use Intel i7 14th Generation or Intel i9 14th Generation processor for maximum frame rate, which gives you the ability to run all types of games in 4K and these processors will help you get high frame rate in all games.
For Content Creators/Professional Programming Tasks
If you want to build a PC on which you can perform content creation tasks like video editing, graphic designing, then you can use processors from either of the two series but for this you should use high-end processors that give you maximum frame rate and low lag performance. (like the options we have mentioned for gaming). But if you are building a PC for programming and i-development or tasks with complex calculations, then you should definitely use Intel Core Ultra processors as in these processors you get better AI capabilities that help you in machine learning and AI related tasks.
For everyday users
If you are building a PC for simple tasks where you only need the power required to perform general computing tasks, then you can use Intel Core series processors for this purpose. Budget users can also go for Intel Core series processors where they get various options of i3 and i5 series at affordable prices that provide them with the power required to perform general computing tasks.
Conclusion
After comparing Intel Core Ultra vs Intel Core, we can say that both the first and second series of Intel offer great performance in various tasks, but to choose processors from either of these two series, users should first look at their requirements and use cases so that they can choose the right processor for themselves. Intel Core series still includes the best options for budget users which provide them with various options of processors to build a budget PC and Intel Core series also includes high-performance options which provide users with a high level of performance. Similarly, Intel’s latest launched Core Ultra series includes the best mid-range options for users and it provides users with great AI capabilities, making it a better choice for AI-related tasks and in the Ultra series processors you also get the support of great integrated graphics which reduces the cost of the graphics card. Thus, both the series have their own features, due to which it becomes necessary for the user to evaluate their requirements and use cases to choose either of the two.