Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus drops to $139.99 with two-game bundle included
The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has received a major price cut, making it one of the more interesting CPU deals for PC builders looking to upgrade to Intel’s latest desktop platform without spending too much.
Micro Center is currently offering the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus for $139.99, a steep drop from its listed $249.99 price. The processor typically sells closer to the $199 to $229 range, so this deal places it well below its usual market price. For anyone planning a new gaming PC or productivity-focused desktop, this discount could make the chip a strong value option.
The offer applies to the boxed processor, but buyers should note that no heatsink is included. That means you will need a compatible CPU cooler if you do not already have one. The deal is also limited to in-store pickup, and Micro Center is restricting purchases to one unit per household.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is part of Intel’s Arrow Lake Refresh desktop lineup and uses the LGA 1851 socket. It is compatible with motherboards based on B860, H810, and Z890 chipsets, giving builders several platform options depending on their budget and feature needs.
In terms of specifications, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus features 6 performance cores and 12 efficiency cores, for a total of 18 cores and 18 threads. It has a 4.2 GHz base clock and can boost up to 5.3 GHz, making it suitable for demanding everyday tasks, gaming, content creation, and multitasking.
The processor also includes 30 MB of L2 cache and 30 MB of Intel Smart Cache. Memory support goes up to 256 GB of DDR5-5200, and the chip offers PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 connectivity for modern graphics cards, storage drives, and expansion hardware.
Compared with the Core Ultra 5 245K, the newer Core Ultra 5 250K Plus adds four extra efficiency cores and features a faster die-to-die interconnect. These upgrades are designed to improve performance in workloads such as rendering, media processing, and productivity applications. Gaming performance also benefits in some titles, although gains may vary depending on the game, GPU, memory configuration, and system setup.
Another bonus is Intel’s Gamer Days promotion. Buyers who purchase and register a qualifying Intel product can receive two upcoming games as part of the bundle. The included titles are STAR WARS: Galactic Racer, scheduled for release on October 6, 2026, and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, expected on February 12, 2027. The promotion runs from August 10 through September 13.
At $139.99, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is positioned as a compelling choice for users who want a modern Intel desktop processor with strong multi-core performance, DDR5 support, and access to newer motherboard features. The lack of an included cooler and the in-store-only availability are worth keeping in mind, but the discounted price and added game bundle make this deal stand out for budget-conscious PC builders.
