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

Processor comparisons   11-01-2022
   If you can't decide which processor to buy, you can make a decision after reading the full tests Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i7-12700KF and decide which is better for games or simple use for programming, rendering, machine learning, video editing, streaming. Here is all information from real video editing and streaming tests or many benchmarks. A thorough review of all the specifications, to make it easier to read, is presented in the form of the table.
   From the video comparison, you can get the results of parallel examination in special test applications like DaVinci Resolve Studio, RealBench, AIDA64, WPrime, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), Blender, 3DMark, UserBenchmark, Dolphin Emulator, MATLAB, VeraCrypt, PassMark, PCMark 10, GeekBench 6, 5.2, Gears 5, Prime95, Furmark, Handbrake, SuperPi, Blender, 7zip, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark.
   Gaming performance of CPUs in:

Apex Legends
Halo Infinite
Valheim
Last Man Standing
Rainbow Six Siege
Fallout 76
Watch Dogs Legion
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Valorant
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Cyberpunk 2077
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone
Fortnite
Grand Theft Auto V
Borderlands 3
Death Stranding
DOOM: Eternal
Red Dead Redemption 2
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 i7-12700KF 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 i7-12700KF

63%

The number of this parameter shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i7-12700KF is 4% 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 i7-12700KF

59%

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 run games. Because the cost of this processor reaches several tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore, if you think that the selected CPU has a low game result, just look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the summary table below.
List of less popular games in which CPU comparisons were performed: NBA 2K20, Control, Forza Horizon 4, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Microsoft Flight Simulator, DOTA 2A, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Ghostrunner, Hitman 3, Monster Hunter World, Horizon Zero Dawn, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Battlefield V, Metro Exodus, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Half-Life: Alyx, League of Legends (LOL), Resident Evil 7 Biohazard.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	101.8	105.1
Valorant	115.7	119.4
Cyberpunk 2077	64.8	66.9
Apex Legends	108.7	112.3
Call of Duty Warzone	86.8	89.6
Overwatch	93.7	96.7
Red Dead Redemption 2	79.8	82.4
DOOM Eternal	57.8	59.7
Warzone	90.2	93.1
Assassin's Creed	97.2	100.3
Valheim	96.0	99.1

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 comparing not only were the equipped with different video cards and different amounts of RAM. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: FullHD, 2K or 4K. Therefore, 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 i5-12600K

53%

Core i7-12700KF

57%

To make a finishing resolution 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 i7-12700KF is more energy efficient than the Core i5-12600K as it consumes less power: 125W vs. 125W. Power consumption is particularly important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, it will be useful to know its TDP. It is necessary to count so that the TDP data specified in the cooler specification is greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

If you plan to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for machine learning, video editing or video rendering, programming, streaming, then first of all you need to pay attention to the performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, to reach maximum efficiency, the processor includes all cores and threads that it has. You will learn this data from the benchmark tables below. Before you take into account the data from these tests, be sure to make sure that the software 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 work, and all the advantages 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 i7-12700KF
Cinbench 15 Single-core	466	563
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	3407	4104
Cinbench 20 Single-core	1116	1344
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	7736	9314
Cinbench 23 Single-core	2611	3147
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	25497	30705

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

	Intel Core i5-12600K	Intel Core i7-12700KF
Single-Core	6117	7367
Multi-Core	35696	42989

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

	Intel Core i5-12600K	Intel Core i7-12700KF
Single-Core	2009	2161
Multi-Core	13528	16755

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the most helpful 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 you. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system later. The same benefits from the presence of overclocking. If the processor can be overclocked, increasing its performance, then it will continue to maintain maximum FPS even in new games. The savings are obvious! It turns out that you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer.

	Intel Core i5-12600K	Intel Core i7-12700KF
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 i7-12700KF is 5% better than Core i5-12600K in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that Core i7-12700KF has 2 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: 1
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i7-12700KF is better: 26
Although 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. Better to watch the testing video and read the opinion of of people who bought Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i7-12700KF before deciding which CPU to buy for gaming and which not.

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 i7-12700KF - all data

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

• Intel Core i7-12700KF specs and review.