Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Review: MUCH better than we hoped

Intel Arrow Lake launched late in 2024 and landed with a dull thump of disappointment. After some serious rework by Intel, the processors moved from ‘awful' to ‘interesting' but today's launch of the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and Core Ultra 7 270K Plus shows us just what we missed out on during 2025. These new processors offer both performance and good value for money and come as a breath of fresh air.

Timestamps
00:00 start
01:07 A brief recap
02:00 Leo talks to Intel
03:48 The Processors
06:56 Changes
07:23 Intel Binary Optimisation Tool
08:25 Memory support
10:03 Hardware setup
11:02 Some quick runs
12:10 Geekbench 6.6 Multi Core
13:14 Geekbench 6.6 Single Core
13:42 Cinebench Multi Core
14:02 7-Zip V26 Benchmark
14:43 AIDA 64 Memory Bandwidth
15:02 Far Cry 6 (1080p)
15:39 Far Cry 6 (1440p)
16:01 Assassins Creed Mirage (1080p)
16:40 Assassins Creed Mirage (1440p)
16:55 Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p)
17:17 Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p)
17:47 Total War Pharaoh (1080p)
18:32 Total War Pharaoh (1440p)
19:02 Pricing

Testing and Performance

Test systems
CPUs: Intel Core Ultra 200S
RAM: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C34
Motherboard: MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi II

CPU: Intel Core i9-14900K
RAM: 32GB Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5-7000 C34
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX

CPUs: AMD Ryzen 9000
RAM: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Royal Neo DDR5-8000 C38
Motherboard: ASRock X870E Taichi

Common components:
CPU cooler: Phanteks Glacier One 360
Graphics: MSI RTX 4090 Ventus 3X 24GB
SSD: Crucial T700 Gen 5 M.2 NVMe
Power Supply: Antec Signature 2200 Platinum

Geekbench 6.6 Multi Core

In Geekbench 6.6 Multi Core we get a welcome surprise with the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus beating every other CPU. In addition we see a healthy boost when we engage Binary Optimisation and this gives us hope the new Intel Plus CPUs will deliver the goods.

7-Zip v26

7-Zip v26 is a test of pure CPU grunt and naturally we see the Ryzen 9 9950X leap to the top of the chart. Even so, the new Core Ultra 7 270K Plus does very well and the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus also puts in a good showing.

Far Cry 6 1080p

In Far Cry 6 at 1080p with the Ultra Preset we see Intel improving on their previous results by about 30fps. AMD wins this gaming test with their mighty Ryzen 7 9850X3D, but there is no doubt that Intel has made some serious improvements with Plus.

Cyberpunk 2077 1440p

Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p is a sterner gaming test but once again the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus does well and matches the previous Intel champion, the Core i9-14900K. Having said that, AMD still takes the top honours with the Ryzen 7 9850X3D.

Closing Thoughts

When we first reviewed Intel's Core Ultra 200S processors we wrote off the Core Ultra 9 285K for being too expensive and the Core Ultra 5 245K for being unimpressive. We grudgingly gave the Core Ultra 7 265K the nod as the least bad CPU of the bunch. Over time we have seen the prices drift downwards but our views remained unchanged until today's launch of these Plus CPUs.

We are impressed with the budget Core Ultra 5 250K Plus which kicks the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X all over the shop. The star of the show is the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus which is clearly a new and improved Core Ultra 9 285K that has been delivered at a much lower price and is very, very good. The only obvious downside is that you have to select this one specific Intel CPU as an alternative to a choice from an entire family of AMD Zen 5 CPUs.

Core Ultra 7 270K Plus will be £299.99 inc VAT. Core Ultra 5 250K Plus will be £209.99 inc VAT.

Pros:

• The two Plus CPUs deliver a welcome boost to performance.
• Core Ultra 7 Plus replaces Core Ultra 9 and offers excellent value.
• Software installation is incredibly straightforward.

Cons:

• LGA1851 motherboards have no upgrade path after Core Ultra 200S.
• Intel has nothing to offer that can compete with Ryzen 3D.
• Intel Application and Binary Optimisation are unpredictable.

KitGuru says: Intel has done a superb job with their new CPUs and the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus comes as a welcome relief in these gloomy times.

Core Ultra 7 270K Plus:

Core Ultra 5 250K Plus:

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