Performance comparison: which is faster?
Core Ultra 5 245KF (Intel, 2025) and Core i7-12700K (Intel, 2022) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: Ultra 5 245KF is about 7.1% faster
The sockets differ (LGA1851 / LGA1700), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | Ultra 5 245KF | i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 37,500 | 35,000 |
| Generation | Core Ultra | 12th Gen |
| Socket | LGA1851 | LGA1700 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2022 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | GeForce RTX 3080 Ti | GeForce RTX 3080 Ti |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | Ultra 5 245KF |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | i7-12700K (the lower model is often sufficient) |
Ultra 5 245KF is about 7.1% higher by score (Ultra 5 245KF: 37500 points / i7-12700K: 35000 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
Ultra 5 245KF is Core Ultra, while i7-12700K is 12th Gen.The sockets differ (LGA1851 / LGA1700), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, GeForce RTX 3080 Ti pairs well with Ultra 5 245KF and GeForce RTX 3080 Ti pairs well with i7-12700K. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
