Intel Core i7-5930K vs Intel Core i9-12900K
20.9Single-core72.2
30.8Multi-core70.4
37.7Gamingspec-based63.8
3 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5930K17 spec wins — Intel Core i9-12900K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i9-12900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 69.3 to 29.6, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+51) and multi-core (+40). Intel Core i7-5930K 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 i7-5930K
- 100% higher Memory channels: 4 vs 2
- 100% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 20
- Lower launch price: $583 vs $648
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-12900K
- Stronger single-core score: 72 vs 21
- Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 31
- 833% higher L2 cache: 14 MB vs 2 MB
- 286% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 26,229 vs 6,800
- 246% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 17,450 vs 5,050
General
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5930K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2014 | 2021 |
| Socket | LGA2011-v3 | LGA1700 |
| Process | 22 nm | 10 nm+55% |
| Base TDP | 140 W | 125 W+11% |
| Max turbo power | — | 241 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5930K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 16+167% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 8 |
| Threads | 12 | 24+100% |
| Base clock | 3.5 GHz+9% | 3.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 5.2 GHz+41% |
| L2 cache | 2 MB | 14 MB+833% |
| L3 cache | 15 MB | 30 MB+100% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5930K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,550 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5930K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2133 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| Memory channels | 4+100% | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5930K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 5+67% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 40+100% | 20 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5930K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,050Bottom 7% | 2,715+159%Top 32% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 5,050Bottom 22% | 17,450+246%Top 24% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 920Bottom 6% | 1,903+107%Top 30% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 6,800Bottom 22% | 26,229+286%Top 19% |
| PassMark | 13,300Bottom 22% | 41,103+209%Top 24% |
Related comparisons
Intel Core i7-5930Kvs Intel Core i7-7700KVSIntel Core i7-5930Kvs Intel Core i7-5820KVSIntel Core i7-5930Kvs Intel Core i5-8400VSIntel Core i7-5930Kvs Intel Core i3-10100FVSIntel Core i9-12900Kvs AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3DVSIntel Core i9-12900Kvs AMD Ryzen 9 5950XVSIntel Core i9-12900Kvs Intel Core i5-14600KVSIntel Core i9-12900Kvs AMD Ryzen 7 9700XVS