Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i9-12900K
65.2Single-core72.2
50.8Multi-core70.4
52.1Gamingspec-based63.8
1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600K11 spec wins — Intel Core i9-12900K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i9-12900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 69.3 to 55.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+20) and single-core (+7). Intel Core i5-12600K 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
- 16% higher Base clock: 3.7 GHz vs 3.2 GHz
- Lower launch price: $318 vs $648
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-12900K
- Stronger single-core score: 72 vs 65
- Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 51
- 100% higher Efficiency cores: 8 vs 4
- 61% higher Max turbo power: 241 W vs 150 W
- 60% higher cores: 16 vs 10
General
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021 | 2021 |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1700 |
| Process | 10 nm | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | 125 W | 125 W |
| Max turbo power | 150 W | 241 W+61% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 10 | 16+60% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Threads | 16 | 24+50% |
| Base clock | 3.7 GHz+16% | 3.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.9 GHz | 5.2 GHz+6% |
| L2 cache | 10 MB | 14 MB+47% |
| L3 cache | 20 MB | 30 MB+50% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| iGPU clock | 1,450 MHz | 1,550 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 20 | 20 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 2,715Top 32% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 17,450Top 24% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,809Top 38% | 1,903+5%Top 30% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 16,878Top 37% | 26,229+55%Top 19% |
| PassMark | 27,501Top 47% | 41,103+49%Top 24% |
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