Much more efficiently. Carbs and protein rely on de novo lipogenesis to convert into fat. But you're right in that a surge of insulin from carbs ensures that the available dietary fat will prefer to go to storage instead of being used as fuel.

In a scenario where you're running a calorie surplus, the effect of overeating carbs will work together with and make dietary fat more significantly contribute to body fat. In a scenario where you're running a calorie deficit to lose weight, and the insulin isn't surging, choosing carbs over dietary fat can actually make sense.