The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in ten out of fifteen measured specifications. Its most significant technical advantage is its L2 cache, which is 193% larger than that of the Intel Core i5-12400. While the latter component maintains a lead in thread count, the superior cache capacity of the Ultra 5 225F represents the most substantial performance-related difference between these two processors.

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F if your primary requirement is the expanded L2 cache capacity, as it dominates the majority of the evaluated technical fields. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-12400 remains the logical selection for users who prioritize thread count, where it holds a 20% advantage over the newer model. Base your final decision strictly on whether your specific workload benefits more from increased cache memory or a higher number of available threads.