The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing nine wins across the evaluated specifications compared to five for the Intel Core i9-12900K. While the latter maintains a significant lead in multi-threaded workloads with 71% more threads, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 provides a substantial advantage in modern computing tasks by offering 100% better NPU performance, which serves as its most impactful technical improvement over the older architecture.

Users prioritizing heavy multi-threaded processing tasks should select the Intel Core i9-12900K to leverage its superior thread count. Conversely, those focused on future-proofing their system for modern AI-driven applications should choose the Intel Core Ultra 5 235. By opting for the newer processor, users gain the benefit of the significantly more capable NPU, making it the better choice for workflows that rely on integrated artificial intelligence acceleration rather than raw thread density.