The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in eleven out of sixteen measured categories. While the Intel Core i3-12100F maintains a notable lead in power efficiency with a 54% better TDP, the Ultra 5 250KF Plus dominates in architectural capacity. Its most impactful advantage is a 500% larger L2 cache, which provides a significant technical edge over the i3-12100F in handling complex data processing tasks.

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus if your primary requirement is high-capacity cache performance for demanding workloads. Conversely, select the Intel Core i3-12100F if your build prioritizes a lower power profile, as its superior TDP makes it the more efficient option for systems where thermal and energy constraints are the deciding factors. Each processor serves a distinct need based on whether you value raw cache throughput or optimized power consumption.