Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
Also called intel core ultra 7 265kf, core ultra 7 265kf, 265kf, core-ultra-7-265kf
Intel Core Ultra 7 desktop processor on Arrow Lake, with 20 cores and 20 threads and 36864 KB L2, 30 MB L3 at 125 W TDP on a 3 nm process addressing up to 256 GB and no integrated graphics.
What you need to know
Still a capable Core Ultra 7 desktop chip.
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF launched in October 1, 2024., It has 20 cores and 20 threads on Arrow Lake, dropping into the FCLGA1851 socket. It is no longer the newest SKU in every store, but the chip is still useful when the rest of the PC keeps up.
- Still good?
- Yes, for most work this class is sold for
- Product age
- 1 year old
- Upgrade pressure
- Low
What this hardware means today
Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.
- Performance today
- Excellent. Excellent for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
- Product age 1 year old
- Current generation. Launched October 1, 2024. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
- Support status
- Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
- Upgrade pressure
- Low. Upgrade pressure is low unless you need a different platform feature.
Where does it sit?
Arrow Lake sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.
Performance context
These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.
Gaming: Very Good
Plenty for current games when the GPU is the limit, which it often is.
Productivity: Excellent
20 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.
Multithreaded workloads: Very Good
20 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.
General use: Excellent
Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.
Efficiency: Average
Rated 125 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.
Should you upgrade?
Probably not if this chip already matches your work.
Upgrade makes more sense if
- Your workload is strongly CPU limited
- You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
- You need substantially more multicore performance
- You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer
Upgrade makes less sense if
- The GPU is the real bottleneck
- Current applications are already responsive
- The CPU rarely limits your workload
Specifications
Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF is built on Arrow Lake using a 3 nm process.
| Manufacturer | Intel |
|---|---|
| Family | Core Ultra 7 |
| Architecture | Arrow Lake |
| Generation | Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2) |
| Manufacturing process | 3 nm |
| Segment | Desktop |
Cores and threads
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF has 20 cores and 20 threads.
| Cores | 20 (8 P-cores + 12 E-cores) |
|---|---|
| P-cores | 8 |
| E-cores | 12 |
| Threads | 20 |
| Hybrid architecture | Yes |
Clock speeds
Base clock is 3.9 GHz. Boost reaches 5.5 GHz.
| Base frequency | 3.9 GHz |
|---|---|
| Max boost | 5.5 GHz |
Cache
Cache on this sheet is 30 MB L3.
| L2 cache | 36864 KB |
|---|---|
| L3 cache | 30 MB |
| Total cache | 66 MB |
Memory
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF addresses 256 GB across 2 memory channels.
| Supported types | DDR5 |
|---|---|
| Max capacity | 256 GB |
| Channels | 2 |
| ECC support | No |
Package and power
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF uses the FCLGA1851 socket and a 125 W TDP.
| Socket | FCLGA1851 |
|---|---|
| TDP | 125 W |
| PCIe | Revision 5.0, 24 lanes |
Integrated graphics
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF does not include integrated graphics.
| Integrated graphics | None |
|---|
Market
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF launched October 1, 2024 at USD 379 (suggested price at launch).
| Launch date | October 1, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Launch MSRP | USD 379 (suggested price at launch) |
| Model | 265KF |
Features
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF records 6 instruction sets on this sheet.
| Instruction sets | AES-NIAVX2CET64-bit (x86-64)SSE4.1SSE4.2 |
|---|---|
| Security | Control-flow Enforcement (CET)Boot GuardHardware RNGOS GuardMode-Based Execute Control |
| Virtualization | Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization) |
| AI acceleration | Gaussian Neural Accelerator |
Independent scores
These are PassMark CPU figures. They are not Feex measurements.
| Single-core score | 4,926 |
|---|---|
| Multi-core score | 58,570 |
| Overall score | 16,986 |
| Productivity score | 44,967 |
| Creator score | 41,080 |
| Engineering score | 71,016 |
| Gaming score | 29,421 |
| Performance per watt | 468.6 |
Compatibility
| Socket | FCLGA1851 |
|---|---|
| Board | A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision. |
| Memory | DDR5, up to 256 GB |
| Graphics | Requires a discrete GPU. This SKU has no iGPU. |
A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.
Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name.
Do not expect a display from the motherboard video ports. This SKU has no integrated graphics.
No display after install
This SKU has no integrated graphics. A machine with no discrete GPU will not show a picture. That is expected, not a dead CPU.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.
- Feex Hardware Database · Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0.
- PassMark Software · CPU benchmark page for Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
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