AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs Intel Core i5-12600K
23.2Single-core65.2
31.6Multi-core50.8
40.5Gamingspec-based52.1
3 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 260015 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i5-12600K wins this desktop processor face-off, 55.4 to 31.3, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+42) and multi-core (+19). AMD Ryzen 5 2600 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- 48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W
- 20% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 20
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $199 vs $318
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12600K
- Stronger single-core score: 65 vs 23
- Stronger multi-core score: 51 vs 32
- 217% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 3 MB
- 128% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 16,878 vs 7,400
- 105% higher PassMark: 27,501 vs 13,400
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018 | 2021 |
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1700 |
| Process | 12 nm | 10 nm+17% |
| Base TDP | 65 W+48% | 125 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | 150 W+70% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 10+67% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 4 |
| Threads | 12 | 16+33% |
| Base clock | 3.4 GHz | 3.7 GHz+9% |
| Boost clock | 3.9 GHz | 4.9 GHz+26% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 10 MB+217% |
| L3 cache | 16 MB | 20 MB+25% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,450 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2933 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 5+67% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24+20% | 20 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,140Bottom 10% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 5,300Bottom 25% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 980Bottom 10% | 1,809+85%Top 38% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 7,400Bottom 24% | 16,878+128%Top 37% |
| PassMark | 13,400Bottom 22% | 27,501+105%Top 47% |
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