Intel Core i5-12490F vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V and the Intel Core i5-12490F represent two fundamentally different approaches to computing: one is a low-power mobile processor aimed at thin-and-light laptops, the other is a desktop part built for sustained performance. The benchmark data shows a clear split in their capabilities, with the desktop chip winning the majority of the 17 shared tests (10 wins versus 7), but the mobile chip taking some notable victories in specific workloads. This comparison is about understanding where each processor's architectural strengths lie, not about declaring a single overall champion.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12490F is the clear choice for multi-threaded, throughput-oriented tasks. Its biggest win comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 17284 against the Ultra 7 256V's 10399, a massive 39.8% advantage. This pattern repeats across the Cinebench suite: the i5-12490F leads by 9.1% in R15 multi-core and 4.1% in R20 multi-core. The PassMark integer math test also goes decisively to the desktop chip at 60548 versus 43358, a 28.4% lead. The i5-12490F also wins in data compression (237304 vs 184985, 22% ahead), passmark multithread (20202 vs 19530, 3.3% ahead), and random string sorting (23791 vs 22481, 5.5% ahead). If the workload involves heavy parallel processing, rendering, or code compilation, the i5-12490F is the one to pick.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V wins in specific single-threaded and specialized workloads. It takes the Cinebench R15 single-core test with 285.5 versus 245, a 16.5% advantage. It also wins PassMark single-thread at 4029 versus 3682, a 9.4% lead. The most dramatic victory is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where it scores 192 against the i5-12490F's 87, a staggering 120.7% difference. This suggests the Ultra 7's architecture is far more efficient at this particular type of integer-heavy, low-latency operation. It also wins floating point math (58576 vs 47326, 23.8% ahead), data encryption (13998 vs 12018, 16.5% ahead), and the PassMark physics test (1595 vs 1345, 18.6% ahead). For a laptop processor, the Ultra 7 256V is surprisingly competitive in these areas.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on completely different foundations. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V uses the Lunar Lake architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It has 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning no hyperthreading, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. Its TDP is just 17 watts, which is extremely low for a modern processor. It features a large L2 cache of 2.5 MB per core and a shared L3 cache of 12 MB, with 192 KB of L1 cache per core. The Ultra 7 is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2833 socket, and it includes the Arc 140V integrated graphics. It supports PCIe Gen 5 with only 4 lanes from the CPU.

The Intel Core i5-12490F is based on the Alder Lake-S architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. Its base clock is 3.00 GHz, boosting to 4.60 GHz, with a TDP of 65 watts. The cache layout is markedly different: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 20 MB shared L3 cache. The die size is 163 mm². It is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700, has no integrated graphics, and offers significantly more PCIe connectivity with Gen 5 and 20 lanes. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the Ultra 7's memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard.

These architectural differences explain the benchmark results. The i5-12490F's higher thread count and larger L3 cache give it a natural edge in multi-threaded workloads. The Ultra 7 256V's newer 3 nm process and modern design give it advantages in power efficiency and specific low-latency operations, as shown by its wins in the prime number and encryption tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most significant difference in the entire dataset is in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The i5-12490F scores 17284, which is 39.8% higher than the Ultra 7's 10399. This is the largest delta in any test and clearly demonstrates the desktop chip's superiority in heavily threaded rendering tasks.

In single-core performance, the results are mixed across different benchmark versions. The Ultra 7 256V wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 285.5 versus 245, a 16.5% lead. However, the i5-12490F wins Cinebench R20 single-core (1024 vs 982, 4.1% ahead) and Cinebench R23 single-core (2440 vs 1877.5, 23.1% ahead). The PassMark single-thread test favors the Ultra 7 at 4029 versus 3682, a 9.4% lead. These conflicting results suggest the two chips trade blows depending on the specific instruction mix and workload characteristics.

The PassMark integer math test shows a major win for the i5-12490F at 60548 versus the Ultra 7's 43358, a 28.4% margin. Conversely, the Ultra 7 dominates floating point math with 58576 versus 47326, a 23.8% lead. The prime number test is an outlier: the Ultra 7 scores 192, more than double the i5-12490F's 87, a 120.7% difference. This test likely measures a very specific algorithmic pattern where the Lunar Lake architecture is exceptionally strong.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-12490F is significantly faster, scoring 17284 versus the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V's 10399. This represents a 39.8% advantage for the desktop chip.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the Ultra 7 wins 7 of the 17 shared tests. It wins Cinebench R15 single-core, PassMark data encryption, find prime numbers, floating point math, physics, and both PassMark single-thread tests.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i5-12490F has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i5-12490F uses hyperthreading to double its thread count.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has a higher boost clock at 4.80 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i5-12490F's 4.60 GHz. However, the i5-12490F has a higher base clock at 3.00 GHz versus 2.20 GHz.

Q: What is the power draw difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has a TDP of 17 watts, while the Intel Core i5-12490F has a TDP of 65 watts. The Ultra 7 is designed for mobile efficiency, while the i5-12490F is a desktop part.

Q: Which processor wins in the PassMark data compression test?

A: The Intel Core i5-12490F wins with a score of 237304, compared to the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V's 184985. The i5-12490F is 22% faster in this workload.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V | Intel Core i5-12490F |

|----------------|-------------------------|----------------------|

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 17 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2833 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Lunar Lake | Alder Lake-S |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | Depends on motherboard | DDR4, DDR5 |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc 140V | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors comes down to the intended use case and form factor. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is a mobile processor, and its 17-watt TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops. It wins the tests that matter for responsive single-threaded work and specific specialized tasks, such as data encryption and floating point math. Its 120.7% lead in prime number finding and 23.8% lead in floating point math show that Lunar Lake is not just about efficiency; it has genuine computational strengths.

The Intel Core i5-12490F is the better performer for desktop workloads. It wins the majority of tests, including the critical Cinebench R23 multi-core by 39.8%. Its 6 cores and 12 threads give it a significant advantage in any multi-threaded application. The larger 20 MB L3 cache and 65-watt TDP allow it to sustain high performance. It also offers more PCIe lanes (20 versus 4), making it a better fit for systems with multiple expansion cards or high-bandwidth storage.

The data shows no single winner for all users. A laptop buyer should look at the Ultra 7 256V, which offers competitive single-thread performance and wins in encryption and physics. A desktop builder who prioritizes rendering, compression, or integer math should select the i5-12490F, which delivers a 22% to 39.8% advantage in those areas. The i5-12490F's closest rivals in the database include the Intel Xeon 6325P and Intel Core Ultra 5 125U, with average scores within 0.1% of its own, while the Ultra 7 256V sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U and Ryzen 5 5600G, all within 0.3% of each other. Both processors sit in the 74th and 75th percentiles of all CPUs, indicating they are above average but not top-tier parts. The final decision rests on whether the workload lives on a laptop or a desktop.