The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in ten out of sixteen measured categories. Its most significant technical advantage is its L2 cache, which is 247% larger than that of the Intel Core i5-12400F. While the latter component maintains a lead in power efficiency, the superior cache capacity of the Ultra 5 245K provides a substantial architectural edge that defines its overall performance profile across the majority of the evaluated specifications.

Users prioritizing raw architectural capacity and the benefits of a significantly larger L2 cache should select the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K for their builds. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-12400F is the better choice for those who prioritize power efficiency, as it offers a 48% advantage in TDP. Choosing between these two processors depends entirely on whether your primary requirement is the expanded cache memory of the newer model or the lower power consumption of the i5-12400F.