Intel Core i9-12900KS vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints a clear picture of two processors with fundamentally different strengths. The Intel Core i9-12900KS wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 takes 5. The i9-12900KS dominates in heavily threaded workloads and memory-intensive operations, while the Ultra 5 235 shows its strength in specific computational patterns and single-threaded tasks.

The i9-12900KS is the clear choice for multi-core rendering and content creation. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 36,859 against the Ultra 5 235's 14,769, a difference of 59.9%. This pattern repeats across every Cinebench version recorded, with the i9-12900KS holding a consistent 59.9% advantage in both multi-core and single-core tests. The PassMark multi-thread score reinforces this, with the i9-12900KS at 43,698 versus 37,816 for the Ultra 5 235, a 13.5% lead.

The Ultra 5 235, by contrast, wins in PassMark's find prime numbers test by a massive 134.8%, scoring 371 against 158. It also leads in floating-point math (117,951 versus 111,429, a 5.9% advantage) and physics (2,570 versus 2,437, a 5.5% gain). Single-thread performance also favors the Ultra 5 235, with a PassMark single-thread score of 4,516 versus 4,330 for the i9-12900KS, a 4.3% edge.

For data compression, the i9-12900KS is substantially ahead at 563,709 versus 390,711, a 30.7% lead. Integer math also strongly favors the i9-12900KS at 147,575 versus 87,948, a 40.4% margin. Random string sorting goes to the i9-12900KS by 19.1%, and data encryption and extended instructions both favor it by 6.7%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use different manufacturing approaches. The Core Ultra 5 235 is built on Arrow Lake architecture, part of the Core Ultra Series 2, manufactured by TSMC on a 3 nm process. It has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. The i9-12900KS uses Alder Lake architecture from the Core 12th Gen series, manufactured by Intel on a 10 nm process, with 16 cores and 24 threads, indicating hyperthreading is enabled.

Cache configurations differ notably. The Ultra 5 235 has 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core, with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-12900KS has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 30 MB of shared L3. The transistor count for the Ultra 5 235 is 17,800 million on a 243 mm² die, while the i9-12900KS has no recorded transistor count but a smaller 215 mm² die.

Memory support separates the two clearly. The Ultra 5 235 supports only DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The i9-12900KS supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but with a lower recorded bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Notably, the i9-12900KS supports ECC memory while the Ultra 5 235 does not.

PCIe lanes differ, with the Ultra 5 235 offering Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only) versus the i9-12900KS's Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: the Ultra 5 235 includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units, while the i9-12900KS has UHD Graphics 770. The Ultra 5 235 has a locked multiplier, while the i9-12900KS is unlocked for overclocking.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the database is the Cinebench series, where the i9-12900KS beats the Ultra 5 235 by a nearly uniform 59.9% across R15, R20, and R23 in both multi-core and single-core tests. The R23 multi-core score of 36,859 versus 14,769 and R23 single-core of 5,203 versus 2,085 both show the same gap. The R20 single-core test shows a 60% difference, the largest margin in this group (2,185 versus 875).

PassMark integer math is another major i9-12900KS win, with 147,575 against 87,948, a 40.4% gap. Data compression follows at 563,709 versus 390,711, a 30.7% difference. The i9-12900KS also leads in random string sorting (60,539 versus 48,980, a 19.1% edge) and multithread performance (43,698 versus 37,816, a 13.5% lead). Data encryption and extended instructions both show a 6.7% i9-12900KS advantage.

The Ultra 5 235's biggest win is in prime number finding, where it scores 371 against 158, a 134.8% advantage. This is the largest percentage difference in either direction across all benchmarks. The Ultra 5 235 also wins floating-point math by 5.9% (117,951 versus 111,429), physics by 5.5% (2,570 versus 2,437), and single-thread performance by 4.3% (4,516 versus 4,330, recorded identically in both PassMark single-thread tests).

These results show the i9-12900KS excels in most general-purpose and multi-threaded workloads, while the Ultra 5 235 has specific but meaningful advantages in integer-heavy prime calculations, floating-point operations, physics simulations, and single-threaded responsiveness.

The Verdict

The data directs different users toward different processors. For anyone running multi-threaded rendering workloads, video encoding, or heavy data compression, the Intel Core i9-12900KS is the stronger option by a substantial margin. Its Cinebench multi-core scores are roughly 2.5 times higher than the Ultra 5 235, and its integer math and data compression results show it handles parallel workloads with far greater throughput.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235, however, wins in scenarios that stress single-thread performance and specific math operations. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4,516 exceeds the i9-12900KS's 4,330, so applications that rely on single-core responsiveness may feel snappier. The 134.8% lead in prime number finding and advantages in floating-point math and physics suggest it handles certain scientific and simulation tasks better.

The i9-12900KS also offers ECC memory support and an unlocked multiplier, features absent from the Ultra 5 235. The Ultra 5 235 counters with a more efficient process node (3 nm versus 10 nm), higher memory bandwidth (102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s), and more PCIe lanes (20 versus 16). Users who prioritize overclocking or ECC should choose the i9-12900KS; those who value single-thread speed and specific math workloads should consider the Ultra 5 235.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900KS has 16 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900KS boosts to 5.50 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 boosts to 5.00 GHz. Both have a base clock of 3.40 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900KS supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 does not support ECC memory.

Q: How do the Cinebench R23 multi-core scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900KS scores 36,859 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 59.9% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 235's score of 14,769.

Q: Which processor wins in single-thread PassMark performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 wins with a score of 4,516, a 4.3% advantage over the Intel Core i9-12900KS's 4,330.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the Intel Core i9-12900KS has 76.8 GB/s. The i9-12900KS supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 235 supports only DDR5.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 | Intel Core i9-12900KS |

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

| Cores | 14 | 16 |

| Threads | 14 | 24 |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 150 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1851 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Arrow Lake | Alder Lake |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 243 mm² | 215 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 3 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $257 | $739 |