The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in ten out of sixteen measured specifications. Its most significant technical advantage is its L2 cache, which is 117% larger than that of the alternative. While the Intel Core i7-12700K holds a notable lead in thread count, the superior cache capacity of the newer model provides a more comprehensive performance profile across the majority of the evaluated metrics.

Users prioritizing high-density multitasking should consider the Intel Core i7-12700K, as it offers a 43% advantage in thread count. Conversely, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is the better choice for those who benefit from the substantial increase in L2 cache capacity. By selecting based on these specific architectural strengths, buyers can align their hardware choice with their primary computing requirements rather than relying on general performance assumptions.