Intel
Core Ultra 5 245K
Arrow Lake · 14C/14T · 125 W · LGA1851
81
/ 100
From $309
VS
Intel
Core i7-12700K
Alder Lake · 12C/20T · 125 W · LGA1700
81
/ 100
From $409
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, Core Ultra 5 245K lands at 81 and Core i7-12700K at 81. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick Core Ultra 5 245K if…
- ✓Strong per-core performance
- ✓Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- ✓Wide platform availability
Pick Core i7-12700K if…
- ✓Strong per-core performance
- ✓Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- ✓Wide platform availability
Core Ultra 5 245K 81
vs 81 Core i7-12700K
Score breakdown
Core Ultra 5 245K
81 single 83
multi 81
gaming 80
efficiency 83
Core i7-12700K
81 single 83
multi 81
gaming 80
efficiency 78
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Core Ultra 5 245K | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Arrow Lake | Alder Lake |
| Cores | ▲ 14 | 12 |
| Threads | 14 | ▲ 20 |
| TDP | 125 W | 125 W |
| Socket | LGA1851 | LGA1700 |
| Release year | 2024 | 2021 |
Core Ultra 5 245K
Pros
- +Strong per-core performance
- +Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- +Wide platform availability
Cons
- −Power draw on top SKUs
- −Frequent socket changes
- −Arrow Lake gaming regressions
Core i7-12700K
Pros
- +Strong per-core performance
- +Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- +Wide platform availability
Cons
- −Power draw on top SKUs
- −Frequent socket changes
- −Arrow Lake gaming regressions
FAQ: Core Ultra 5 245K vs Core i7-12700K
Which is better, Core Ultra 5 245K or Core i7-12700K? +
Both score 81 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Core Ultra 5 245K worth the price? +
At $309, Core Ultra 5 245K delivers a Specdex score of 81 — strongest in single.
Is Core i7-12700K worth the price? +
At $409, Core i7-12700K delivers a Specdex score of 81 — strongest in single.
Does Core Ultra 5 245K or Core i7-12700K last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.