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Intel Core i5-12600KF vs Intel Core i9-9900K

WINNER
I
56.6Inno Score
VS
I
42.5Inno Score
66.5Single-core40.4
52.4Multi-core41.2
52.1Gaming47.4
15 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600KF3 spec wins — Intel Core i9-9900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-12600KF wins this desktop processor face-off, 56.6 to 42.5, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+26) and Multi-core (+11). Intel Core i9-9900K 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 40
  • Stronger Multi-core score: 52 vs 41
  • Stronger gaming score: 52 vs 47
  • 375% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 2 MB
  • 67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3
  • Lower launch price: $264 vs $488

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-9900K

  • 33% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 6
  • 24% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 125 W

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-12600KF versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KFIntel Core i9-9900K
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 i5-12600KF versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KFIntel Core i9-9900K
Cores10+25%8
Performance cores68+33%
Efficiency cores40
Threads1616
Base clock3.7 GHz+3%3.6 GHz
Boost clock4.9 GHz5 GHz+2%
L2 cache10 MB+375%2 MB
L3 cache20 MB+25%16 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-12600KF versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KFIntel Core i9-9900K
iGPU—Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock—1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-12600KF versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KFIntel Core i9-9900K
Memory supportDDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200DDR4-2666
Max memory128 GB128 GB
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-12600KF versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KFIntel Core i9-9900K
PCIe version5+67%3
CPU PCIe lanes20+25%16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-12600KF versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i5-12600KFIntel Core i9-9900K
Geekbench 6 (single)2,400+40%Top 28%1,720Top 51%
Geekbench 6 (multi)12,500+42%Top 29%8,800Top 46%
Cinebench R23 (single)1,900+48%Top 21%1,280Top 62%
Cinebench R23 (multi)17,300+40%Top 28%12,400Top 45%
PassMark27,300+47%Top 33%18,600Top 53%

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