Intel Core i5-12490F vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V and Intel Core i5-12490F are two very different processors that end up in a near-total statistical tie in overall standing, yet they achieve that parity through opposite strengths. The data shows the Ultra 7 258V wins 7 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the i5-12490F takes 10. Despite this split, both CPUs hold an identical 74th percentile ranking among all tested processors, and their average benchmark scores are remarkably close: 20454 for the Ultra 7 258V versus 20802 for the i5-12490F. This is a classic case where the aggregate score hides a fundamental divergence in architectural priorities, making the choice between them entirely dependent on workload rather than overall capability.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory in this matchup belongs to the Intel Core i5-12490F in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where it scores 17284 against the Ultra 7 258V’s 10301. That is a massive 40.4% advantage, and it is not an isolated incident. The i5-12490F also leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1742 vs 1596.5, an 8.4% edge) and Cinebench R20 multi-core (7259 vs 6739, a 7.2% edge). This pattern confirms that the desktop chip’s 12 threads provide a substantial throughput advantage in heavily threaded rendering workloads.

Conversely, the Ultra 7 258V dominates in single-core Cinebench R15, scoring 285 against the i5-12490F’s 245, a 16.3% win. However, that single-core lead does not carry over to newer Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-12490F actually wins with 1024 versus 951 (a 7.1% edge), and in Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-12490F extends its lead to 2440 versus 1872, a 23.3% margin. The Ultra 7 258V’s single-core advantage is therefore limited to the older R15 test, while the i5-12490F dominates in the more recent R20 and R23 benchmarks.

Outside of Cinebench, the two chips split the Passmark suite in revealing ways. The Ultra 7 258V wins Passmark single-thread with 4018 versus 3682, a 9.1% edge. It also wins Passmark physics (1565 vs 1345, a 16.4% lead), floating-point math (57372 vs 47326, a 21.2% lead), and data encryption (13534 vs 12018, a 12.6% lead). The most lopsided result in the entire comparison is Passmark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 7 258V scores 185 against the i5-12490F’s 87 — a 112.6% advantage, more than doubling the desktop chip’s output.

The i5-12490F counters with strong wins in integer math (60548 vs 42889, a 29.2% lead), data compression (237304 vs 176686, a 25.5% lead), random string sorting (23791 vs 21580, a 9.3% lead), and extended instructions (15993 vs 14717, an 8% lead). It also takes Passmark multithread with 20202 versus 18887, a 6.5% margin. The overall win count of 10 for the i5-12490F versus 7 for the Ultra 7 258V reflects these consistent, if moderate, wins across several integer-heavy and compression workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12490F is the clear winner for multi-threaded productivity and content creation. Its 40.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 25.5% lead in data compression point to a processor that handles parallel workloads with far greater efficiency. The 29.2% advantage in integer math further solidifies its position for general-purpose computing tasks that rely on whole-number operations, such as database work, financial modeling, and software compilation. The 9.3% edge in random string sorting also suggests better performance in data processing and text manipulation tasks.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, by contrast, is the specialist in floating-point and cryptographic workloads. Its 21.2% lead in floating-point math and 12.6% lead in data encryption indicate a processor tuned for scientific computing, 3D rendering calculations, and secure data handling. The 112.6% advantage in find prime numbers is a stark indicator of its superiority in specific algorithmic challenges, likely benefiting from architectural optimizations in the Lunar Lake design. The 16.4% win in physics and 9.1% lead in single-thread performance also make it the better choice for lightly threaded interactive applications and legacy single-core tasks.

For mixed workloads, the i5-12490F’s 6.5% lead in Passmark multithread is the deciding factor. This benchmark aggregates multiple thread types, and the desktop chip’s overall throughput advantage means it will generally feel faster in everyday multitasking scenarios. However, the Ultra 7 258V’s wins in encryption and physics could be more valuable in specialized environments like secure communications or simulation software.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design philosophies. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V is built on Lunar Lake architecture using a 3 nm process node from TSMC. It features 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The i5-12490F, on the other hand, uses Alder Lake architecture on Intel’s 10 nm process, with 6 cores and 12 threads, base clock of 3.00 GHz, and boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The process node difference is significant: the 3 nm node allows the Ultra 7 258V to pack more transistors into a smaller space, though the fact pack does not provide transistor counts for either chip.

Cache configurations also diverge sharply. The Ultra 7 258V has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-12490F counters with 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-12490F also has a die size of 163 mm², while the Ultra 7 258V’s die size is not listed. This larger L3 cache on the i5-12490F likely contributes to its strong performance in data compression and integer math, as more data can be held closer to the cores.

Memory support is another fundamental split. The Ultra 7 258V supports only LPDDR5X memory with a dual-channel bus, delivering 136.5 GB/s of bandwidth. The i5-12490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not listed in the fact pack. The Ultra 7 258V’s memory is soldered and low-power, which aligns with its 17 W TDP, while the i5-12490F’s 65 W TDP allows for a more conventional desktop memory setup.

The i5-12490F offers more PCIe lanes: Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), versus the Ultra 7 258V’s Gen 5 with just 4 lanes (CPU only). This makes the i5-12490F far more suitable for systems with multiple GPUs or high-speed NVMe drives. The Ultra 7 258V compensates with integrated graphics (Arc 140V), while the i5-12490F has no integrated graphics listed. The Ultra 7 258V uses the Intel BGA 2833 socket (mobile), while the i5-12490F uses Intel Socket 1700 (desktop), confirming their respective market segments of Mobile versus Desktop.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Core i5-12490F is the superior processor for users who prioritize multi-threaded throughput and general productivity. Its 40.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the single largest performance gap in this comparison, and its consistent wins across integer math, compression, and multithread benchmarks make it the safer choice for video editing, 3D rendering, and software development. The 10-7 win count in head-to-head tests reinforces this conclusion. The i5-12490F is the pick for desktop workloads where sustained parallel performance matters more than power efficiency.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V is the better option for those who need floating-point precision, cryptography, and single-thread responsiveness. Its 21.2% lead in floating-point math and 12.6% lead in data encryption are significant, and the 112.6% advantage in find prime numbers shows a clear architectural strength in specific algorithms. Its 17 W TDP, compared to the i5-12490F’s 65 W, also makes it the obvious choice for mobile or fanless designs where thermal headroom is minimal. The integrated Arc 140V graphics further tip the scales for users who want a complete package without a discrete GPU.

There is no universal winner here. The data shows two processors with identical percentile rankings and near-identical average scores, but they achieve that parity through mutually exclusive strengths. The i5-12490F is the workhorse for multi-core applications; the Ultra 7 258V is the specialist for floating-point and cryptographic tasks with far lower power draw. Choose based on workload, not raw numbers, because the raw numbers are a wash.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-12490F has a higher average benchmark score of 20802, compared to the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V’s 20454.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-12490F wins decisively with a score of 17284, which is 40.4% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V’s 10301.

Q: Which processor is better for data encryption?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V leads in Passmark data encryption with a score of 13534, a 12.6% advantage over the Intel Core i5-12490F’s 12018.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-12490F has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-12490F have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Intel Core i5-12490F has no integrated graphics listed, whereas the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V features Arc 140V integrated graphics.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V has a TDP of 17 W, while the Intel Core i5-12490F has a TDP of 65 W.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | 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 |

| 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) |

| Die Size | Not listed | 163 mm² |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 136.5 GB/s | Not listed |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Arc 140V | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Part Number | SRPMNSRPMT | SRL4X |