Intel Core i5-12600KF vs Intel Core i5-6600K
66.5Single-core29
52.4Multi-core24
52.1Gaming23.8
18 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600KF1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-6600K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i5-12600KF wins this desktop processor face-off, 56.6 to 25.4, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+38) and Multi-core (+28). Intel Core i5-6600K 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 i5-12600KF
- Stronger Single-core score: 67 vs 29
- Stronger Multi-core score: 52 vs 24
- Stronger gaming score: 52 vs 24
- 850% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 1 MB
- 327% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 17,300 vs 4,050
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6600K
- 27% lower Base TDP: 91 W vs 125 W
General
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021 | 2015 |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1151 |
| Process | 10 nm+29% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 125 W | 91 W+27% |
| Max turbo power | 150 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 10+150% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 6+50% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 0 |
| Threads | 16+300% | 4 |
| Base clock | 3.7 GHz+6% | 3.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.9 GHz+26% | 3.9 GHz |
| L2 cache | 10 MB+850% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 20 MB+233% | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,150 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,400+85%Top 28% | 1,300Top 77% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 12,500+273%Top 29% | 3,350Top 90% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,900+71%Top 21% | 1,110Top 78% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 17,300+327%Top 28% | 4,050Top 90% |
| PassMark | 27,300+327%Top 33% | 6,400Top 89% |
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