Intel Core i7-5960X vs Intel Core i9-12900K
20.5Single-core72.2
34.1Multi-core70.4
43.4Gamingspec-based63.8
2 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X17 spec wins — Intel Core i9-12900K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i9-12900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 69.3 to 32.3, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+52) and multi-core (+36). 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 i7-5960X
- 100% higher Memory channels: 4 vs 2
- 100% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 20
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-12900K
- Stronger single-core score: 72 vs 21
- Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 34
- 600% higher L2 cache: 14 MB vs 2 MB
- 216% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 26,229 vs 8,300
- 186% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 17,450 vs 6,100
- Lower launch price: $648 vs $999
General
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | 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 i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8 | 16+100% |
| Performance cores | 8 | 8 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 8 |
| Threads | 16 | 24+50% |
| Base clock | 3 GHz | 3.2 GHz+7% |
| Boost clock | 3.5 GHz | 5.2 GHz+49% |
| L2 cache | 2 MB | 14 MB+600% |
| L3 cache | 20 MB | 30 MB+50% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,550 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | 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 i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 5+67% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 40+100% | 20 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,030Bottom 5% | 2,715+164%Top 32% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 6,100Bottom 28% | 17,450+186%Top 24% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 870Bottom 4% | 1,903+119%Top 30% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 8,300Bottom 28% | 26,229+216%Top 19% |
| PassMark | 15,800Bottom 28% | 41,103+160%Top 24% |
Related comparisons
Intel Core i7-5960Xvs Intel Core i5-10400FVSIntel Core i7-5960Xvs Intel Core i5-9600KVSIntel Core i7-5960Xvs Intel Core i5-10400VSIntel Core i7-5960Xvs AMD Ryzen 3 3100VSIntel 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