The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory across the majority of measured specifications. Its most significant technical advantage is the inclusion of 100% more E-Cores compared to the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K. This substantial increase in core count provides a clear architectural lead for the higher-tier processor, establishing it as the more robust option for users requiring maximum hardware density and multi-threaded capacity.

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K if your primary requirement is the superior E-Core configuration for demanding workloads. Conversely, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is the better choice for budget-conscious buyers, as it offers a 48% advantage in MSRP. Selecting the latter allows for significant cost savings while still benefiting from the shared platform features inherent to this generation of processors.