Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i5-9400F
65.2Single-core30.1
50.8Multi-core27.9
52.1Gamingspec-based27.8
15 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600K2 spec wins — Intel Core i5-9400F
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i5-12600K wins this desktop processor face-off, 55.4 to 28.5, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+35) and multi-core (+23). Intel Core i5-9400F still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12600K
- Stronger single-core score: 65 vs 30
- Stronger multi-core score: 51 vs 28
- 533% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 2 MB
- 196% higher PassMark: 27,501 vs 9,300
- 186% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 16,878 vs 5,900
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-9400F
- 48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $157 vs $318
General
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600K | Intel Core i5-9400F |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021 | 2019 |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1151-v2 |
| Process | 10 nm+29% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 125 W | 65 W+48% |
| Max turbo power | 150 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600K | Intel Core i5-9400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 10+67% | 6 |
| Performance cores | 6 | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 0 |
| Threads | 16+167% | 6 |
| Base clock | 3.7 GHz+28% | 2.9 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.9 GHz+20% | 4.1 GHz |
| L2 cache | 10 MB+533% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 20 MB+122% | 9 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600K | Intel Core i5-9400F |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | — |
| iGPU clock | 1,450 MHz | — |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600K | Intel Core i5-9400F |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600K | Intel Core i5-9400F |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600K | Intel Core i5-9400F |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 1,400Bottom 24% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 4,500Bottom 17% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,809+68%Top 38% | 1,080Bottom 14% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 16,878+186%Top 37% | 5,900Bottom 19% |
| PassMark | 27,501+196%Top 47% | 9,300Bottom 15% |
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