How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i5-12600K scores 55.4/100 overall; Intel Core i9-10900K scores 47.9/100. Intel Core i5-12600K wins 9 individual spec rows, Intel Core i9-10900K wins 4.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i5-12600K and the Intel Core i9-10900K?

Intel Core i5-12600K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 65 vs 42; 280% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 3 MB; 67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3; 35% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,809 vs 1,340; 29% lower process: 10 nm vs 14 nm; Lower launch price: $318 vs $488. Intel Core i9-10900K advantages: 67% higher Max turbo power: 250 W vs 150 W; 67% higher Performance cores: 10 vs 6; 25% higher threads: 20 vs 16.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i5-12600K or Intel Core i9-10900K?

Intel Core i5-12600K launched cheaper at $318, versus $488 for the Intel Core i9-10900K.

Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i9-10900K

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-12600K

$318

Intel

Intel Core i9-10900K

$488

65.2Single-core41.9

50.8Multi-core48.2

52.1Gamingspec-based54.6

9 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600K4 spec wins — Intel Core i9-10900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-12600K wins this desktop processor face-off, 55.4 to 47.9, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+23) and multi-core (+3). Intel Core i9-10900K 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 42
280% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 3 MB
67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3
35% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,809 vs 1,340
29% lower process: 10 nm vs 14 nm
Lower launch price: $318 vs $488

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-10900K

67% higher Max turbo power: 250 W vs 150 W
67% higher Performance cores: 10 vs 6
25% higher threads: 20 vs 16

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-12600K versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-12600K	Intel Core i9-10900K
Announced	2021	2020
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
Process	10 nm+29%	14 nm
Base TDP	125 W	125 W
Max turbo power	150 W	250 W+67%
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes
Cooler included	No	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-12600K versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-12600K	Intel Core i9-10900K
Cores	10	10
Performance cores	6	10+67%
Efficiency cores	4	0
Threads	16	20+25%
Base clock	3.7 GHz	3.7 GHz
Boost clock	4.9 GHz	5.3 GHz+8%
L2 cache	10 MB+280%	3 MB
L3 cache	20 MB	20 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-12600K versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-12600K	Intel Core i9-10900K
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	1,450 MHz	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-12600K versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-12600K	Intel Core i9-10900K
Memory support	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200	DDR4-2933
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-12600K versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-12600K	Intel Core i9-10900K
PCIe version	5+67%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	20+25%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-12600K versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-12600K	Intel Core i9-10900K
Geekbench 6 (single)	—	1,730Bottom 43%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	—	10,400Top 49%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,809+35%Top 38%	1,340Bottom 39%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	16,878+4%Top 37%	16,300Top 39%
PassMark	27,501+16%Top 47%	23,700Bottom 43%

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