Intel Core Ultra 7 Desktop Processor 265K - 20 cores (8 P-cores + 12 E-cores) up to 5.5 GHz

I don’t usually write reviews, but I had to give credit where it’s due. I upgraded to the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K after using an older i7 for years, and the difference is night and day. This thing flies. Whether I’m editing 4K video, running multiple VMs, gaming on ultra settings, or doing 3D rendering in Blender — the 265K handles it all without breaking a sweat. What impressed me the most was the balance between power and efficiency. Even under heavy load, thermals are very manageable (paired it with a decent cooler), and it doesn’t chug watts like older high-core-count CPUs. The 20-core architecture is perfect for multitasking — I’ve literally had 50 Chrome tabs open, Premiere Pro rendering, and a game running simultaneously. No hiccups. Also, shoutout to Intel for keeping single-core performance top-notch. Games run crazy smooth, and frame times are tight. I considered going AMD for a minute, but honestly, this chip gave me the best of both worlds: high thread count and insane IPC. If you’re building a high-performance rig for creative work, content creation, or serious gaming — this CPU is worth every penny. It’s future-proof, it’s fast, and it’s shockingly efficient. 10/10.

Solid Choice for a stable use. Typically, reviews are skipped, but the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is a standout that demands recognition. As an upgrade from an aging i7, it’s been a transformative experience – the performance leap is simply incredible. This processor devours any workload thrown its way. From intensive 4K video editing and running multiple virtual machines, to pushing games to their ultra limits and complex 3D rendering in Blender, the 265K manages it all without breaking a sweat. The true marvel lies in its blend of power and efficiency. Even when pushed to its limits (with a solid cooling solution), the thermals stay exceptionally cool, unlike the power-hungry nature of older, high-core CPUs. The 20-core design is a masterclass in multitasking – imagine flawlessly running 50 Chrome tabs, a Premiere Pro render, and a game simultaneously. This chip makes it a reality. And let’s not forget the outstanding single-core performance from Intel. Gaming is exceptionally smooth, with rock-solid frame times. Initial thoughts of exploring an AMD alternative quickly faded – this chip truly offers the best of both worlds: abundant threading alongside phenomenal instructions per cycle.

This CPU is working beautifully for me. I primarily use my PC for programming several applications at once using Visual Studio. Compile times have been cut in half since my last build, from 5 minutes for my largest app to about 2.5 minutes (which includes Dotfuscator EXE encryption, which takes the longest amount of time). Everything in general is just so fast. My 128GB of RAM and PCIe 5.0 drives help with that, too. I haven't had ANY stability problems for the past few weeks since setting up my new build. The CPU stays cool with my CPU cooler and case fans, linked below. It's a fantastic setup and this is a solid CPU. Here are some of my recent components in this build, in case you are interested: ASUS ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi Intel® Z890 LGA 1851 ATX Motherboard Intel Core Ultra 7 Desktop Processor 265K - 20 cores (8 P-cores + 12 E-cores) up to 5.5 GHz CORSAIR Vengeance DDR5 RAM 128GB (2x64GB) 6400MHz Samsung SSD 9100 PRO 4TB, PCIe 5.0x4 M.2 2280, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 14,800MB/s Thermalright HR10 2280 PRO Black SSD Cooler EZDIY-FAB Shield M.2 SSD Heatsink with Build-in 20mm PWM Fan Thermaltake CT120 EX ARGB Sync PC Cooling Fan (3-Fan Pack) Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 Vision ARGB Black CPU Cooler with LCD screen Thermalright Lga1851 BCF Black CPU Holder,CPU Anti Bending Fixed Bracket HYTE Y70 Upgraded Modern Aesthetic Dual Chamber Panoramic Tempered Glass Mid-Tower ATX Computer Gaming Case

I've always been a fan of Intel.. It's been my go-to processor for every major computer build, regardless of if it's mine or a friends. It's incredibly fast during gaming, and I have not noticed the UE5 issues that the past couple Intel Chips have shown. It's really stable when it runs too, no stuttering or crashes.

För priset är det ett monster. Sval. Har en kylare som kostade under 500 spänn men det går att ha alla chassifläktar OCH cpu-fläkten avstängda vid vanligt surfande etc. (!!) Och då är CPUn under 50 grader. Blir cirka 36 grader med fläkten i ett riktigt tyst läge. Ja, den är säkert 3% långsammare i 1080p-spelande än AMD, men det är väl också det enda den INTE är bäst på.

Tutto ok, molto veloce e stabile, non scalda molto

Love it

Buen procesador, la CPU cumple con cualquier tarea, se mantiene bastante frío y sobrado para tareas de ofimatica y navegación (alrededor de 5 a 10%), para tareas más exigentes como juegos o trabajo tiene picos de hasta el 50%. No creo que genere cuello de botella para la mayoría de usuarios. Una semana usándolo y no he tenido problemas de estabilidad o errores solo poner y listo. La GPU es suficiente para navegar en el sistema operativo utilizando generalmente usando un 4 a 8% de potencia usando un monitor 1080p.

Intel’s Core Ultra 7 265K is a bold step into the Arrow Lake generation, blending high efficiency with solid multi-core muscle. With 8 performance cores and 12 efficient cores, it’s built for demanding productivity tasks and moderate gaming, though it doesn’t quite dethrone the competition in every category. Performance Highlights: Boosts up to 5.5GHz on P-cores and 4.6GHz on E-cores, delivering snappy responsiveness. 30MB of L3 cache and improved L2 cache per core help with multitasking and heavy workloads. Great for rendering, encoding, and synthetic benchmarks—especially in multi-threaded scenarios. Gaming Caveats: While capable, it trails behind AMD’s X3D chips and even Intel’s own 14th-gen CPUs in some titles. Performance can vary depending on BIOS optimization and Windows scheduling—some games show noticeable dips. Efficiency & Thermals: Built on TSMC’s 3nm process, it runs cooler and draws less power than its predecessors. Stays under 85°C with a decent cooler, even under full load. Platform Notes: Requires a new LGA1851 motherboard, which adds to upgrade costs. Compatible with existing coolers, but benefits from faster DDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen 5 support. Some may see this as sub standard to the X3D CPU's but when you're running at high resolutions like 4K, the difference is not noticeable with modern GPU's (I'm running a 5080). For other tasks aside from gaming, this thing really covers all angles. Easy to install, typical for Intel.