Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i7-12700

VS
Performance
Core i5-12600K
25,01768% of 36,991
Core i7-127008% better
27,02273% of 36,991

The Core i7-12700 has 8% better performance than the Core i5-12600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i5-12600K12% better
86.5671% of 121.53
Core i7-12700
77.4364% of 121.53

The Core i5-12600K has 12% better value for the money than the Core i7-12700 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Shop Core i5-12600K
Shop Core i7-12700
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Summary

#

About the Intel Core i5-12600K CPU

The Intel Core i5-12600K is a 10-core (16-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q4 2021 with a suggested retail price of $289. It is part of Intel's Core i5 lineup, which is based on the Alder Lake-S microarchitecture. The i5-12600K is compatible with Intel Socket 1700 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm manufacturing process. It features the UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i5-12600K 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 i5-12600K 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 20 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i5-12600K features 10 total cores which can process 16 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The 10 cores consist of 6 P-Cores and 4 E-Cores. P-Cores are designed for high-performance tasks and E-Cores are intended for efficiency and lighter tasks. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.7 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.9 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 i5-12600K includes an integrated graphics solution called UHD Graphics 770. 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 i5-12600K has the 26th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 67.63% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 25,017 score and $289 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 86.56. This is the 12th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i7-12700 CPU

The Intel Core i7-12700 is a 12-core (20-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q1 2022 with a suggested retail price of $349. It is part of Intel's Core i7 lineup, which is based on the Alder Lake-S microarchitecture. The i7-12700 is compatible with Intel Socket 1700 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm manufacturing process. It features the UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics solution and is bundled with a Laminar RM1 cooler.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-12700 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 i7-12700 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 25 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-12700 features 12 total cores which can process 20 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The 12 cores consist of 8 P-Cores and 4 E-Cores. P-Cores are designed for high-performance tasks and E-Cores are intended for efficiency and lighter tasks. The base clock speed of the CPU is 2.1 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.9 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 i7-12700 includes an integrated graphics solution called UHD Graphics 770. 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 i7-12700 has the 16th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 73.05% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 27,022 score and $349 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 77.43. This is the 17th 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 i5-12600KCore i7-12700
ManufacturerIntelIntel
SeriesCore i5Core i7
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ4 2021Q1 2022
Launch Price (MSRP)$289$349
Production StatusActiveActive
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i5-12600K
25,01768% of 36,991
Core i7-127008% better
27,02273% of 36,991

The Core i7-12700 has 8% better performance than the Core i5-12600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i5-12600K is ranked 26th with a score of 25,017, and the Core i7-12700 is ranked 16th with a score of 27,022.

Performance per dollar
Core i5-12600K12% better
86.5671% of 121.53
Core i7-12700
77.4364% of 121.53

The Core i5-12600K has 12% better value for the money than the Core i7-12700 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i5-12600K is ranked 12th with a performance per dollar of 86.56, and the Core i7-12700 is ranked 17th with a performance per dollar of 77.43.

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 i5-12600K or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Ryzen 9 7900X27,731+11%
Ryzen 7 5800X3D27,236+9%
Core i7-1270027,022+8%
Core i7-1370026,874+7%
Ryzen 9 790026,325+5%
Ryzen 5 9600X25,717+3%
Ryzen 9 5950X25,154.5+1%
Core i5-12600K25,017
Core i7-12700K24,947-0%
Core i9-1290024,314-3%

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 i5-12600K or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Ryzen 7 770094.06+9%
Ryzen 5 9600X92.18+6%
Core i5-12600K86.56
Ryzen 5 7600X86.06-1%
Ryzen 7 9700X85.67-1%
Core i7-14700K79.06-9%
Ryzen 7 7700X78.86-9%
Core i7-1270077.43-11%
Core i7-13700K76.32-12%
Ryzen 7 7800X3D73.38-15%

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 i5-12600KCore i7-12700
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
25,017
27,022
(+8.01%)
3DMark Time Spy CPU
13,869
16,400
(+18.25%)
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
2,555
3,151
(+23.33%)
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
275
(+1.1%)
272
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
11,856
(+5.71%)
11,216
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
2,478
(+3.77%)
2,388
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
27,731
30,791
(+11.03%)
CPU Mark Single-Thread
3,951
(+0.97%)
3,913
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

#

Manufacturing Details

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

SpecCore i5-12600KCore i7-12700
ManufacturerIntelIntel
FoundryIntelIntel
Process Size10 nm10 nm

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 i5-12600KCore i7-12700
SeriesCore i5Core i7
MicroarchitectureAlder Lake-SAlder Lake-S
CodenameAlder Lake-SAlder Lake-S
Memory SupportDDR4-3200, DDR5-4800DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800
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 i5-12600KCore i7-12700
Cores1012
Threads1620
Performance Cores (P-cores)68
Efficient Cores (E-cores)44
Clock Speed3.7 GHz2.1 GHz
Turbo Clock4.9 GHz4.9 GHz
P-core Clock3.7 GHz2.1 GHz
P-core Turbo Clock4.9 GHz4.9 GHz
E-core Clock Speed2.8 GHz1600.0 MHz
E-core Turbo Clock3.6 GHz3.6 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier37.0x21.0x
Multiplier UnlockedYesNo

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 i5-12600KCore i7-12700
L1 Cache80 KB80 KB
L2 Cache1.25 MB1.25 MB
L3 Cache20 MB25 MB
E-core L1 Cache96 KB96 KB
E-core L2 Cache2 MB2 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 i5-12600KCore i7-12700
SocketIntel Socket 1700Intel Socket 1700
PCI ExpressPCIe 4.0 x20PCIe 5.0 x16, PCIe 4.0 x4
Thermal Design Power (TDP)125 W65 W
Power Limit 1 (PL1)150 W65 W
Power Limit 2 (PL2)150 W180 W
Tcase Max72 °C--
TJ Max100 °C100 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

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

SpecCore i5-12600KCore i7-12700
Bundled Cooler--Laminar RM1
Integrated GraphicsUHD Graphics 770UHD Graphics 770
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, AVX2, FMA3, SHA, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, CLMUL, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, ABM, ADX, RdRand, TBT 2.0, TBT 3.0

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.