Core i9-12900K vs Core Ultra 5 245K: specs and benchmark comparison
AIntel · Alder Lake
Intel Core i9-12900K
- 16 cores / 24 threads
- up to 5.2 GHz
- LGA1700
2021 · $589 at launch
BIntel · Arrow Lake
Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 14 cores / 14 threads
- up to 5.2 GHz
- LGA1851
October 24, 2024 · $309 at launch
Short verdict
Intel Core i9-12900K leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIMulti-thread performance
A +10.8%Intel Core i9-12900K leads in this scenario (up to 10.8% in comparable benchmarks).
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Core i9-12900K is better4
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0 10.8% faster356 samples/min vs 321 samples/min
Cores 2 more16 (8P + 8E) vs 14 (6P + 8E)
Threads 10 more24 vs 14
L3 cache 6 MB more30 MB vs 24 MB
Where Core Ultra 5 245K is better4
L2 cache 12 MB more26 MB vs 14 MB
Official memory speed 1,600 MT/s more6,400 MT/s vs 4,800 MT/s
Max memory capacity 128 GB more256 GB vs 128 GB
Launch price $280 lower$309 vs $589
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions.
- A ahead by 10.8%
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Core i9-12900K356.2 samples/minCore Ultra 5 245K321.4 samples/minPosition among tested models (89)
B · 321A · 3560200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. Intel Core i9-12900K is ahead by 10.8% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · Intel Core i9-12900K
356.2 samples/min · community measurement, sample 65 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 65 submissions (3 outliers excluded), interquartile range 339–381.03; submissions 2025-07-24 to 2026-03-10; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
321.4 samples/min · community measurement, sample 22 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 22 submissions (3 outliers excluded), interquartile range 310.8–336.58; submissions 2025-07-18 to 2026-03-20; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Reference results (18)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 349.6 | 322.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 375.6 | 356 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 341.3 | 271.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.0.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 390.1 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 368 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 362.5 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 373.7 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 392.4 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 370 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 361 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.6.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 345.6 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 346.7 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 342.2 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 331.4 | 311.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 334.6 | 315.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 346.9 | 316.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 364.6 | 362.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 364.4 | — | no pair |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
| Specification | A · Core i9-12900K | B · Core Ultra 5 245K | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 16 (8P + 8E) | 14 (6P + 8E) | A: 2 more |
| Threads | 24 | 14 | A: 10 more |
| Base clockFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown. | 3.2 GHz | 4.2 GHz | B: 1 GHz more |
| Max clock (Boost/Turbo) | 5.2 GHz | 5.2 GHz | equal |
| Cache | |||
| L2 cache | 14 MB | 26 MB | B: 12 MB more |
| L3 cache | 30 MB | 24 MB | A: 6 MB more |
| Platform | |||
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1851 | differs |
| Process node | Intel 7 | no data | no data for B |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 | differs |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 | equal |
| Official memory speedFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown. | 4,800 MT/s | 6,400 MT/s | B: 1,600 MT/s more |
| Max memory capacity | 128 GB | 256 GB | B: 128 GB more |
| PCI Express | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 24 lanes | differs |
| Integrated graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | Intel Graphics (4 Xe cores) | differs |
| Power | |||
| Processor Base Power (Intel) | 125 W | 125 W | equal |
| Maximum Turbo Power (Intel) | 241 W | 159 W | A: 82 W higher |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A16 (8P + 8E)
B14 (6P + 8E)
A: 2 moreCores of different types may differ in performance.
Threads
A24
B14
A: 10 moreBase clock
A3.2 GHz
B4.2 GHz
B: 1 GHz moreFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown.
Max clock (Boost/Turbo)
A5.2 GHz
B5.2 GHz
equal
Cache
L2 cache
A14 MB
B26 MB
B: 12 MB moreL3 cache
A30 MB
B24 MB
A: 6 MB more
Platform
Socket
ALGA1700
BLGA1851
differsProcess node
AIntel 7
Bno data
no data for B
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
ADDR4, DDR5
BDDR5
differsMemory channels
A2
B2
equalOfficial memory speed
A4,800 MT/s
B6,400 MT/s
B: 1,600 MT/s moreFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown.
Max memory capacity
A128 GB
B256 GB
B: 128 GB morePCI Express
APCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes
BPCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 24 lanes
differsIntegrated graphics
AIntel UHD Graphics 770
BIntel Graphics (4 Xe cores)
differs
Power
Processor Base Power (Intel)
A125 W
B125 W
equalMaximum Turbo Power (Intel)
A241 W
B159 W
A: 82 W higher
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Platform compatibility
Socket Incompatible
Intel Core i9-12900K uses LGA1700, Intel Core Ultra 5 245K uses LGA1851. The CPUs are not interchangeable: switching requires a different motherboard.
Memory Needs checking
Both controllers support DDR5. The motherboard determines the memory type, so check its specification.
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do Intel Core i9-12900K and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K fit the same motherboard?
No: Intel Core i9-12900K uses LGA1700, while Intel Core Ultra 5 245K uses LGA1851.
How many cores and threads do Intel Core i9-12900K and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K have?
Intel Core i9-12900K: 16 cores / 24 threads. Intel Core Ultra 5 245K: 14 cores / 14 threads (manufacturer data).
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Intel Core i9-12900K: Intel UHD Graphics 770. Intel Core Ultra 5 245K: Intel Graphics (4 Xe cores).
Which is faster: Intel Core i9-12900K or Intel Core Ultra 5 245K?
Intel Core i9-12900K leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
Data sources (3)
- Intel — specifications of Intel Core i9-12900K, specifications of Intel Core Ultra 5 245Kchecked November 7, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.0.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.6.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.3.0checked November 14, 2026
- Wikipedia (English) — release date and launch pricechecked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.