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

Processor comparisons 11-01-2022

   For example you can't decide which CPU to buy, you can make a choice after reading the comprehensive tests Intel Core i5-12600KF vs Intel Core i7-12700K and decide which is better for games or simple use for programming, streaming, machine learning, video editing, rendering. Here you can find useful information from real streaming and video editing tests or different benchmarks. A step-by-step analysis of all the specifications, to make it easier to read, is summarized in the table.
   From the video comparison, you can get the results of parallel examination in synthetic type tests like Dolphin Emulator, AIDA64, Handbrake, PCMark 10, Blender, UserBenchmark, GeekBench 6, 5.2, DaVinci Resolve Studio, Furmark, Gears 5, 7zip, 3DMark, PassMark, VeraCrypt, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, MATLAB, SuperPi, WPrime, RealBench, Prime95, Blender.
   Gaming performance of CPUs in:

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

After reading the results these benchmarks and videos, you already be able to understand which processor is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i7-12700K or Intel Core i5-12600KF.

Summary benchmark results

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

Core i5-12600KF

61%

Core i7-12700K

63%

This value shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i7-12700K is 3% better than Core i5-12600KF. The data source is several popular tests. More detailed information of the benchmarks is below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

Core i5-12600KF

58%

Core i7-12700K

59%

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

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	102.9	105.4
Valorant	117.0	119.8
Cyberpunk 2077	65.5	67.1
Apex Legends	110.0	112.6
Call of Duty Warzone	87.7	89.8
Overwatch	94.8	97.0
Red Dead Redemption 2	80.7	82.7
DOOM Eternal	58.5	59.9
Warzone	91.2	93.4
Assassin's Creed	98.3	100.6
Valheim	97.1	99.4

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: 2K, FullHD or 4K. So the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. You will get more accurate information about how powerful 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 i5-12600KF

57%

Core i7-12700K

56%

To make a final choice 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 i5-12600KF is more energy efficient than the Core i7-12700K as it consumes less power: 125W 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

Let's say you want to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for streaming, machine learning, programming, video editing or video rendering, then the main parameter for you is its performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, to reach maximum performance, the processor uses all threads and cores that it has. You will find out this data from the benchmark tables below. Before you take into account the data from these tests, be sure to find out whether the software that you are going to use on your computer can work in multi-threaded mode. Since there are still many programs that can use only one core to work, 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 i5-12600KF	Intel Core i7-12700K
Cinbench 15 Single-core	485	569
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	3543	4145
Cinbench 20 Single-core	1161	1358
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	8045	9408
Cinbench 23 Single-core	2715	3179
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	26517	31015

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

	Intel Core i5-12600KF	Intel Core i7-12700K
Single-Core	6362	7441
Multi-Core	37124	43423

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

	Intel Core i5-12600KF	Intel Core i7-12700K
Single-Core	2144	2117
Multi-Core	14653	17079

Comparison of specifications

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

	Intel Core i5-12600KF	Intel Core i7-12700K
Announcement date	January 07, 2022	January 07, 2022
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Socket	FCLGA1700	FCLGA1700
Core name	Alder Lake	Alder Lake
Architecture	x86	x86
Generation	12	12
Turbo Frequency	4.9 MHz	5 MHz
Frequency	3.6 MHz	3.8 MHz
Cores	10	12
Threads	16	20
Bus rate	8 GT/s	8 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	7 nm	7 nm
Transistors count	10200 millions	10200 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	125 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
Memory bandwidth	76.8 GB/s	76.8 GB/s
L1 cache
L2 cache	9.5 MB	12 MB
L3 cache	20 MB	25 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 i7-12700K is 5% better than Core i5-12600KF in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that Core i7-12700K has 2 more core than Core i5-12600KF. 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 i5-12600KF is better: 2
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i7-12700K is better: 25
However, it should be understood that all the number in the article above do not mean that taking them into account you should undividedly trust a simple quantitative comparison. Be sure to watch benchmarks video and read the reviews of real owners of Intel Core i5-12600KF and Intel Core i7-12700K before making a selection which of the CPUs to buy for gaming.

Intel Core i5-12600KF - all data

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

• Intel Core i5-12600KF specs and review.

Intel Core i7-12700K - all data

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

• Intel Core i7-12700K specs and review.