Intel Core i5-12400F vs Intel Core i7-2600K

VS
Performance
Core i5-12400F128% better
19,43653% of 36,991
Core i7-2600K
8,52723% of 36,991

The Core i5-12400F has 128% better performance than the Core i7-2600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i5-12400F315% better
111.792% of 121.53
Core i7-2600K
26.922% of 121.53

The Core i5-12400F has 315% better value for the money than the Core i7-2600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Shop Core i5-12400F
Shop Core i7-2600K
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Summary

#

About the Intel Core i5-12400F CPU

The Intel Core i5-12400F is a 6-core (12-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q1 2022 with a suggested retail price of $174. It is part of Intel's Core i5 lineup, which is based on the Alder Lake-S microarchitecture. The i5-12400F is compatible with Intel Socket 1700 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm manufacturing process. It is bundled a Laminar RM1 cooler.

Memory and Cache

The Core i5-12400F supports DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i5-12400F has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 80 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 1.25 MB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 18 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i5-12400F features 6 total cores which can process 12 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 2.5 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.4 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is locked, making it incapable of overclocking for pushing performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i5-12400F does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i5-12400F has the 76th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 52.54% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 19,436 score and $174 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 111.7. This is the 2nd best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i7-2600K CPU

The Intel Core i7-2600K is an end-of-life 4-core (8-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q1 2011 with a suggested retail price of $317. It is part of Intel's Core i7 lineup, which is based on the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture. The i7-2600K is compatible with Intel Socket 1155 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process. It features the Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-2600K supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-2600K has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 8 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-2600K features 4 total cores which can process 8 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.4 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.8 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i7-2600K includes an integrated graphics solution called Intel HD 3000. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i7-2600K has the 294th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 23.05% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 8,527 score and $317 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 26.9. This is the 135th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoCore i5-12400FCore i7-2600K
ManufacturerIntelIntel
SeriesCore i5Core i7
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ1 2022Q1 2011
Launch Price (MSRP)$174$317
Production StatusActiveEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i5-12400F128% better
19,43653% of 36,991
Core i7-2600K
8,52723% of 36,991

The Core i5-12400F has 128% better performance than the Core i7-2600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i5-12400F is ranked 76th with a score of 19,436, and the Core i7-2600K is ranked 294th with a score of 8,527.

Performance per dollar
Core i5-12400F315% better
111.792% of 121.53
Core i7-2600K
26.922% of 121.53

The Core i5-12400F has 315% better value for the money than the Core i7-2600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i5-12400F is ranked 2nd with a performance per dollar of 111.7, and the Core i7-2600K is ranked 135th with a performance per dollar of 26.9.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i5-12400F or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Ryzen 7 5700X20,010+3%
Ryzen 5 5600X19,649+1%
Core i5-12400F19,436
Core i9-9980XE19,237-1%
Ryzen 9 3900X18,932-3%
Core i3-9100F8,742-55%
Core i7-4790S8,643-56%
Core i7-2600K8,527-56%
Ryzen 5 2400G8,241-58%
Core i7-5700HQ8,081.5-58%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i5-12400F or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i5-13400F121.53+9%
Core i5-12400F111.7
Core i5-13400104.62-6%
Ryzen 5 7600104.17-7%
Core i5-11400F97.88-12%
Core i7-4790S27.7-75%
Core i7-5775C27.26-76%
Core i7-2600K26.9-76%
Core i5-6600T25.38-77%
Core i7-4770K25.15-77%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkCore i5-12400FCore i7-2600K
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
19,436
(+127.93%)
8,527
3DMark Time Spy CPU
9,745
--
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
1,759
(+186.72%)
613.5
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
244
(+89.15%)
129
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
9,071
(+295.94%)
2,291
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
2,218
(+232.53%)
667
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
19,548
(+256.46%)
5,484
CPU Mark Single-Thread
3,507
(+101.09%)
1,744
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

#

Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecCore i5-12400FCore i7-2600K
ManufacturerIntelIntel
FoundryIntelIntel
Process Size10 nm32 nm
Transistors--1,160 million

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecCore i5-12400FCore i7-2600K
SeriesCore i5Core i7
MicroarchitectureAlder Lake-SSandy Bridge
CodenameAlder Lake-SSandy Bridge
Memory SupportDDR4-3200, DDR5-4800DDR3
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecCore i5-12400FCore i7-2600K
Cores64
Threads128
Clock Speed2.5 GHz3.4 GHz
Turbo Clock4.4 GHz3.8 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier25.0x34.0x
Multiplier UnlockedNoYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecCore i5-12400FCore i7-2600K
L1 Cache80 KB64 KB
L2 Cache1.25 MB256 KB
L3 Cache18 MB8 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecCore i5-12400FCore i7-2600K
SocketIntel Socket 1700Intel Socket 1155
PCI ExpressPCIe 5.0 x20PCIe 2.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)65 W95 W
Power Limit 1 (PL1)65 W--
Power Limit 2 (PL2)117 W--
TJ Max100 °C100 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecCore i5-12400FCore i7-2600K
Bundled CoolerLaminar RM1--
Integrated Graphics--Intel HD 3000
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, SHA, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, CLMUL, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, ABM, ADX, RdRand, TBT 2.0MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, HTT, AES-NI, TBT 2.0

Check out these comparisons for similar CPUs:

Looking for alternatives? Check out these similar CPUs:

* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.