Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i9-12900TE

Processor comparisons 11-01-2022

   If you are thinking about choosing a processor, you will be able to make a choice after reading the detailed tests Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i9-12900TE and see which is better for games or simple use for programming, rendering, streaming, machine learning, video editing. Here is all information from different benchmarks or real streaming and video editing tests. A careful review of all the specifications, so that it can be easier to understand, is made by the table.
   From the video comparison, you can get the results of parallel examination in software tests like DaVinci Resolve Studio, VeraCrypt, PassMark, WPrime, AIDA64, SuperPi, Blender, Furmark, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, 3DMark, Gears 5, Blender, MATLAB, UserBenchmark, 7zip, Dolphin Emulator, GeekBench 6, 5.2, PCMark 10, Handbrake, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), RealBench, Prime95.
   Gaming performance of CPUs in:

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

After looking at the data of joint benchmarks and videos, you can already make an informed decision about which processor is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i9-12900TE or Intel Core i5-12600K.

Summary benchmark results

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

Core i5-12600K

60%

Core i9-12900TE

65%

The number of this parameter shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i9-12900TE is 7% better than Core i5-12600K. The data source is several popular tests. Detailed information can be found below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

Core i5-12600K

57%

Core i9-12900TE

59%

The maximum result in this parameter is 100 percent, which is the performance of the most powerful processor currently available. And it is clear that this is a server processor, on which no one will run games. Because this processor costs several tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore, if you think that the selected CPU has a little 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: Battlefield V, Monster Hunter World, Horizon Zero Dawn, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Ghostrunner, NBA 2K20, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Microsoft Flight Simulator, DOTA 2A, Forza Horizon 4, Half-Life: Alyx, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Metro Exodus, League of Legends (LOL), Control, Hitman 3, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO).

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	101.8	103.9
Valorant	115.7	118.0
Cyberpunk 2077	64.8	66.1
Apex Legends	108.7	110.9
Call of Duty Warzone	86.8	88.5
Overwatch	93.7	95.6
Red Dead Redemption 2	79.8	81.4
DOOM Eternal	57.8	59.0
Warzone	90.2	92.1
Assassin's Creed	97.2	99.1
Valheim	96.0	98.0

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 that were in the comparisons not only did they have different amounts of RAM and different video cards. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: FullHD, 2K or 4K. So 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 i5-12600K

53%

Core i9-12900TE

174%

To make a final decision on which processor is better, you should also consider the generation of its core. The newer the processor generation, the better its performance in games and benchmarks, as well as its energy efficiency. In this case the Core i9-12900TE is more energy efficient than the Core i5-12600K since it has less power consumption: 125W vs. 35W. Power consumption is particularly important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, it will be useful to 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

For example you plan to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for streaming, programming, video editing or video rendering, machine learning, then the main parameter for you is its performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, the CPU turns on all cores and threads that it has to the maximum to reach maximum performance. You will find out this data from the benchmark tables below. Before using the data from these tests, be sure to check whether the software you are going to use on your computer supports multi-threaded mode. Because there are still many programs that 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 i5-12600K	Intel Core i9-12900TE
Cinbench 15 Single-core	466	432
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	3407	4547
Cinbench 20 Single-core	1116	721
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	7736	10110
Cinbench 23 Single-core	2611	2556
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	25497	29091

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

	Intel Core i5-12600K	Intel Core i9-12900TE
Single-Core	6117	6663
Multi-Core	35696	49735

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

	Intel Core i5-12600K	Intel Core i9-12900TE
Single-Core	2009	1829
Multi-Core	13528	15550

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the most useful will be the the possibility of overclocking it and release date of the processor. The later the processor is released, the longer it will last you. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system in the future. The same can be said about overclocking. When the processor can be overclocked, thereby increasing its performance, then it will continue to maintain maximum FPS even in the newest games. The economy are obvious! Accordingly, you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer.

	Intel Core i5-12600K	Intel Core i9-12900TE
Announcement date	January 07, 2022	July 21, 2021
Type	Desktop	Embedded
Socket	FCLGA1700	FCLGA1700
Core name	Alder Lake	Alder Lake
Architecture	x86	x86
Generation	12	12
Turbo Frequency	4.9 MHz	4.8 MHz
Frequency	3.6 MHz	3.6 MHz
Cores	10	16
Threads	16	24
Bus rate	8 GT/s	16 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	7 nm	7 nm
Transistors count	10200 millions	12600 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	125 W	35 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		6400
Memory bandwidth	76.8 GB/s	76.8 GB/s
L1 cache		2 MB
L2 cache	9.5 MB	14 MB
L3 cache	20 MB	30 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. Another difference is that Core i9-12900TE has 6 more core than Core i5-12600K. 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 i5-12600K is better: 8
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i9-12900TE is better: 24
Although it should be realized that the summary data that you have looked at here do not mean that taking them into account you should fully trust a simple comparison of these numbers. Be sure to watch benchmarks video and read the reviews of real owners of Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i9-12900TE before making a decision which of the processors to buy for gaming.

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.

Intel Core i9-12900TE - all data

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

• Intel Core i9-12900TE specs and review.