i5-12600K vs i5-9400H

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Aggregate performance score

Core i5-9400H
2019
4 cores / 8 threads, 45 Watt
5.13
Core i5-12600K
2021
10 cores / 16 threads, 125 Watt
17.97
+250%

i5-12600K outperforms i5-9400H by a whopping 250% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-9400H and Core i5-12600K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1196348
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data44.35
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i5
Architecture codenameCoffee Lake-H (2018−2019)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date23 April 2019 (5 years ago)27 October 2021 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$289

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-9400H and Core i5-12600K basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads816
Base clock speed2.5 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed4.3 GHz4.9 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0DMI 4.0
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier2537
L1 cache256 KB384 KB
L2 cache1 MB2 MB
L3 cache8 MB2 MB
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size126 mm2215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-9400H and Core i5-12600K compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCBGA1440FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)45 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-9400H and Core i5-12600K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
vPro++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shift++
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+no data
SIPP++
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data-
StatusDiscontinuedLaunched
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i5-9400H and Core i5-12600K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key++
MPX+-
Identity Protection+-
SGXYes with Intel® MEno data
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-9400H and Core i5-12600K are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-9400H and Core i5-12600K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth42.671 GB/s76.805 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel UHD Graphics 630Intel UHD Graphics 770
Max video memory64 GBno data
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.1 GHz1.45 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-9400H and Core i5-12600K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported34
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
DVI+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-9400H and Core i5-12600K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2304@30Hz4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2304@60Hz5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2304@60Hz7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over VGAN/Ano data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-9400H and Core i5-12600K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX1212
OpenGL4.54.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-9400H and Core i5-12600K.

PCIe version3.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes1620

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i5-9400H 5.13
i5-12600K 17.97
+250%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i5-9400H 7912
i5-12600K 27708
+250%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i5-9400H 1365
i5-12600K 2477
+81.5%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i5-9400H 4187
i5-12600K 11860
+183%

Cinebench 11.5 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 11.5 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R11.5 which uses all the processor threads. A maximum of 64 threads is supported in this version.

i5-9400H 9
i5-12600K 30
+218%

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 15 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R15 which uses all the processor threads.

i5-9400H 823
i5-12600K 2555
+210%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.13 17.97
Integrated graphics card 3.09 6.15
Recency 23 April 2019 27 October 2021
Physical cores 4 10
Threads 8 16
Power consumption (TDP) 45 Watt 125 Watt

i5-9400H has 177.8% lower power consumption.

i5-12600K, on the other hand, has a 250.3% higher aggregate performance score, 99% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 2 years, and 150% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

The Core i5-12600K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-9400H in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i5-9400H is a notebook processor while Core i5-12600K is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-9400H and Core i5-12600K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i5-9400H
Core i5-9400H
Intel Core i5-12600K
Core i5-12600K

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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