Intel Core i7-12700K vs Intel Core i7-5960X
69.4Single-core20.5
61.5Multi-core34.1
58.1Gaming43.4
17 spec wins — Intel Core i7-12700K2 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i7-12700K wins this desktop processor face-off, 63 to 32.3, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+49) and Multi-core (+27). Intel Core i7-5960X 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 i7-12700K
- Stronger Single-core score: 69 vs 21
- Stronger Multi-core score: 62 vs 34
- Stronger gaming score: 58 vs 43
- 500% higher L2 cache: 12 MB vs 2 MB
- 170% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 22,400 vs 8,300
- Lower launch price: $409 vs $999
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-5960X
- 100% higher Memory channels: 4 vs 2
- 100% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 20
General
| Spec | Intel Core i7-12700K | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021 | 2014 |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA2011-v3 |
| Process | 10 nm+55% | 22 nm |
| Base TDP | 125 W+11% | 140 W |
| Max turbo power | 190 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-12700K | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+50% | 8 |
| Performance cores | 8 | 8 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 0 |
| Threads | 20+25% | 16 |
| Base clock | 3.6 GHz+20% | 3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5 GHz+43% | 3.5 GHz |
| L2 cache | 12 MB+500% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 25 MB+25% | 20 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i7-12700K | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | — |
| iGPU clock | 1,500 MHz | — |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i7-12700K | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 4+100% |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i7-12700K | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 20 | 40+100% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-12700K | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,500+143%Top 25% | 1,030Top 96% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,300+134%Top 23% | 6,100Top 69% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950+124%Top 20% | 870Top 97% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 22,400+170%Top 18% | 8,300Top 70% |
| PassMark | 34,500+118%Top 23% | 15,800Top 60% |
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