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Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i5-9600K

WINNER
Intel Core i5-12600K
55.4Inno Score
VS
Intel Core i5-9600K
32Inno Score
65.2Single-core36
50.8Multi-core29.8
52.1Gamingspec-based31
14 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600K1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-9600K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-12600K wins this desktop processor face-off, 55.4 to 32, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+29) and multi-core (+21). Intel Core i5-9600K 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 36
  • Stronger multi-core score: 51 vs 30
  • 533% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 2 MB
  • 167% higher threads: 16 vs 6
  • 152% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 16,878 vs 6,700

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-9600K

  • 24% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 125 W
  • Lower launch price: $262 vs $318

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-12600K versus Intel Core i5-9600K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KIntel Core i5-9600K
Announced20212018
SocketLGA1700LGA1151-v2
Process10 nm+29%14 nm
Base TDP125 W95 W+24%
Max turbo power150 W+26%119 W
Unlocked multiplierYesYes
Cooler includedNoNo

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-12600K versus Intel Core i5-9600K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KIntel Core i5-9600K
Cores10+67%6
Performance cores66
Efficiency cores40
Threads16+167%6
Base clock3.7 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock4.9 GHz+7%4.6 GHz
L2 cache10 MB+533%2 MB
L3 cache20 MB+122%9 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-12600K versus Intel Core i5-9600K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KIntel Core i5-9600K
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 770Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock1,450 MHz1,150 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-12600K versus Intel Core i5-9600K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KIntel Core i5-9600K
Memory supportDDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200DDR4-2666
Max memory128 GB128 GB
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-12600K versus Intel Core i5-9600K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KIntel Core i5-9600K
PCIe version5+67%3
CPU PCIe lanes20+25%16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-12600K versus Intel Core i5-9600K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KIntel Core i5-9600K
Geekbench 6 (single)—1,580Bottom 38%
Geekbench 6 (multi)—5,000Bottom 21%
Cinebench R23 (single)1,809+51%Top 38%1,200Bottom 24%
Cinebench R23 (multi)16,878+152%Top 37%6,700Bottom 21%
PassMark27,501+146%Top 47%11,200Bottom 17%

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Intel Core i5-12600Kvs AMD Ryzen 9 3900XVSIntel Core i5-12600Kvs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3DVSIntel Core i5-12600Kvs AMD Ryzen 7 8700GVSIntel Core i5-12600Kvs Intel Core i5-12600KFVSIntel Core i5-9600Kvs AMD Ryzen 3 3100VSIntel Core i5-9600Kvs Intel Core i5-10400FVSIntel Core i5-9600Kvs Intel Core i7-5960XVSIntel Core i5-9600Kvs Intel Core i5-10400VS

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