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InnoReviews

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

WINNER
I
56.6Inno Score
VS
Intel Core i9-10900K
47.9Inno Score
66.5Single-core41.9
52.4Multi-core48.2
52.1Gaming54.6
11 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600KF4 spec wins — Intel Core i9-10900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-12600KF wins this desktop processor face-off, 56.6 to 47.9, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+25) and Multi-core (+4). 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 i5-12600KF

  • Stronger Single-core score: 67 vs 42
  • Stronger Multi-core score: 52 vs 48
  • 280% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 3 MB
  • 67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3
  • 42% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,900 vs 1,340
  • Lower launch price: $264 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 i5-12600KF versus Intel Core i9-10900K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KFIntel Core i9-10900K
Announced20212020
SocketLGA1700LGA1200
Process10 nm+29%14 nm
Base TDP125 W125 W
Max turbo power150 W250 W+67%
Unlocked multiplierYesYes
Cooler includedNoNo

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-12600KF versus Intel Core i9-10900K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KFIntel Core i9-10900K
Cores1010
Performance cores610+67%
Efficiency cores40
Threads1620+25%
Base clock3.7 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock4.9 GHz5.3 GHz+8%
L2 cache10 MB+280%3 MB
L3 cache20 MB20 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-12600KF versus Intel Core i9-10900K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KFIntel Core i9-10900K
iGPU—Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock—1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-12600KF versus Intel Core i9-10900K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KFIntel Core i9-10900K
Memory supportDDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200DDR4-2933
Max memory128 GB128 GB
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-12600KF versus Intel Core i9-10900K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KFIntel Core i9-10900K
PCIe version5+67%3
CPU PCIe lanes20+25%16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-12600KF versus Intel Core i9-10900K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KFIntel Core i9-10900K
Geekbench 6 (single)2,400+39%Top 28%1,730Top 50%
Geekbench 6 (multi)12,500+20%Top 29%10,400Top 38%
Cinebench R23 (single)1,900+42%Top 21%1,340Top 52%
Cinebench R23 (multi)17,300+6%Top 28%16,300Top 30%
PassMark27,300+15%Top 33%23,700Top 40%

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