Intel Core i3-13100 vs Intel Core i5-12600K

Processor comparisons 12-10-2022

   Let's say you are thinking about choosing a processor, you will be able to make a choice after reading the full tests Intel Core i3-13100 vs Intel Core i5-12600K and decide which is better for games or simple use for programming, streaming, machine learning, video editing, rendering. Here is useful information from real streaming and video editing tests or different benchmarks. A thorough analysis of all the technical characteristics, so that it can be easier to read, is presented in the form of the table.
   From the video comparison, you can get the results of parallel examination in synthetic type tests such as GeekBench 6, 5.2, VeraCrypt, PCMark 10, Furmark, UserBenchmark, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), SuperPi, Handbrake, Blender, Blender, MATLAB, Gears 5, Dolphin Emulator, Prime95, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, DaVinci Resolve Studio, WPrime, AIDA64, 7zip, 3DMark, RealBench, PassMark.
   And how good the processors are in games:

Assassin's Creed Valhalla
DOOM: Eternal
Watch Dogs Legion
Last Man Standing
Death Stranding
Valorant
Apex Legends
Fortnite
Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare
Halo Infinite
Fallout 76
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Rainbow Six Siege
Borderlands 3
Valheim
Red Dead Redemption 2
Grand Theft Auto V
Cyberpunk 2077
Overwatch

After looking at the data these benchmarks and videos, you already be able to figure out which processor is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i5-12600K or Intel Core i3-13100.

Summary benchmark results

As a percentage of the maximum value based on a sample from the entire base of all processors
Processor Benchmark

Core i3-13100

57%

Core i5-12600K

60%

This value shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i5-12600K is 5% better than Core i3-13100. The data source is several popular tests. Detailed information can be found below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

Core i3-13100

54%

Core i5-12600K

57%

For the maximum in this test, the results of the most powerful processor in the site database are taken. And of course, this is a server processor, on which no one will play games. Because the cost of this processor reaches several tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore, if you think that the selected CPU has a small game result, just look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the final table below.
List of less popular games in which processors were compared: Monster Hunter World, Half-Life: Alyx, League of Legends (LOL), Battlefield V, NBA 2K20, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Hitman 3, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Horizon Zero Dawn, Forza Horizon 4, Microsoft Flight Simulator, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Control, Ghostrunner, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, DOTA 2A, Metro Exodus.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	95.3	101.8
Valorant	108.3	115.7
Cyberpunk 2077	60.7	64.8
Apex Legends	101.8	108.7
Call of Duty Warzone	81.2	86.8
Overwatch	87.7	93.7
Red Dead Redemption 2	74.7	79.8
DOOM Eternal	54.2	57.8
Warzone	84.5	90.2
Assassin's Creed	91.0	97.2
Valheim	89.9	96.0

The numbers in this table indicate the maximum FPS that was received on the device with the corresponding processor. Depending on the configuration of the computer (RAM size and Video Card) and graphics quality settings (Ultra, Medium, Normal), the results may differ quite significantly. We recommend that you better study the results of the Cinebench, GeekBench and Passmark becnmarks.
The computers participating in the comparisons not only were the equipped with different amounts of RAM and different video cards. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: 4K, 2K or FullHD. Therefore, the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. To be sure exactly how much performance the processor will be in games, if you get acquainted with the benchmarks that are made with the same video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

Core i3-13100

88%

Core i5-12600K

53%

To make a finishing decision on which processor is better, you should also consider the generation of its core. It is clear that the newer the generation, the better the performance of the processor in games and benchmarks, as well as its energy efficiency. In this case the Core i3-13100 is more energy efficient than the Core i5-12600K since it has less power consumption: 65W vs. 125W. Power consumption is particularly important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, you must know its TDP. You need to buy a cooler that has the TDP data specified in the specification was greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

If you want to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for streaming, programming, video rendering or video editing, machine learning, then the main parameter for you is its performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, to achieve maximum efficiency, the CPU includes all threads and cores that it has. You will find out this data from the benchmark tables below. Before using the data from these tests, be sure to make sure that the program that you are going to use on your computer can work in multi-threaded mode. Because there are still many programs that can use only one core to run, and all the benefit of multi-core mode are unused.

Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	Intel Core i3-13100	Intel Core i5-12600K
Cinbench 15 Single-core	231	466
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	2369	3407
Cinbench 20 Single-core	383	1116
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	5259	7736
Cinbench 23 Single-core	1336	2611
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	15117	25497

Passmark
This popular benchmark displays Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i3-13100	Intel Core i5-12600K
Single-Core	1221	6117
Multi-Core	25763	35696

GeekBench 6, 5.2
This benchmark shows Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i3-13100	Intel Core i5-12600K
Single-Core	1718	2009
Multi-Core	7178	13528

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the processor release date and overclocking capability will be the most useful. The newer the processor, the longer it will last in your computer. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system in the future. The same benefits from the presence of overclocking. If the processor can be overclocked, increasing its performance, then it will still be able to produce maximum FPS in new games. It turns out that there is no longer a need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer. The savings are obvious!

	Intel Core i3-13100	Intel Core i5-12600K
Announcement date	October 11, 2022	January 07, 2022
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Socket	FCLGA1700	FCLGA1700
Core name	Raptor Lake	Alder Lake
Architecture	x86	x86
Generation	13	12
Turbo Frequency	4.5 MHz	4.9 MHz
Frequency	3.4 MHz	3.6 MHz
Cores	4	10
Threads	8	16
Bus rate	14 GT/s	8 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	7 nm	7 nm
Transistors count	12400 millions	10200 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	65 W	125 W
Memory type	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s
Max. Memory	128 Gb	128 Gb
Memory Frequency	4800
Memory bandwidth	68 GB/s	76.8 GB/s
L1 cache	1 MB
L2 cache	4 MB	9.5 MB
L3 cache	12 MB	20 MB
Overclocking	No	No
Supports ECC	No	No
Part number

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here Core i5-12600K is 5% better than Core i3-13100 in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that Core i5-12600K has 6 more core than Core i3-13100. Also keep in mind that high CPU frequency affects battery life through power consumption (relevant for laptops).

Result:
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i3-13100 is better: 6
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i5-12600K is better: 29
Although it should be realized that all the number that you have looked at here do not mean that taking them into account you should completely trust a simple comparison of these numbers. Be sure to watch benchmarks video and read the reviews of of people who bought Intel Core i3-13100 and Intel Core i5-12600K before deciding which of the processors to buy for gaming.

Intel Core i3-13100 - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Intel Core i3-13100 specs and review.

Intel Core i5-12600K - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Intel Core i5-12600K specs and review.