Intel Core i5-12600KF vs Core i9-10900K

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Combined performance score

i9-10900K
14.96

Core i5-12600KF outperforms Core i9-10900K by 19% in our combined benchmark results.

General info

Comparing Core i9-10900K and Core i5-12600KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking410300
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Value for money26.0479.21
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i5
Architecture codenameComet Lake (2020)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date30 April 2020 (3 years old)4 November 2021 (2 years old)
Launch price (MSRP)$488$264
Current price$406 (0.8x MSRP)$194 (0.7x MSRP)
Value for money

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-12600KF has 204% better value for money than i9-10900K.

Technical specs

Core i9-10900K and Core i5-12600KF 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 cores10 (Deca-Core)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads2016
Base clock speed3.7 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed5.2 GHz4.9 GHz
Bus supportno data8 × 16 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache20 MB (shared)20 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size206 mm2215.25 mm220.5 mm × 10.5 mm
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplierYesYes

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-10900K and Core i5-12600KF 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA1200FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)125 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-10900K and Core i5-12600KF. 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++
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-no data
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
SIPP+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+-
StatusLaunchedLaunched

Security technologies

Core i9-10900K and Core i5-12600KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB++
Secure Key++
Identity Protection+no data
SGXYes with Intel® MEno data
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-10900K and Core i5-12600KF are enumerated here.

AMD-V+no data
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-10900K and Core i5-12600KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2933DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth45.8 GB/s76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support-no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 630no data
Max video memory64 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+no data
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.2 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-10900K and Core i5-12600KF integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-10900K and Core i5-12600KF integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2160@30Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2304@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2304@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-10900K and Core i5-12600KF integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.5no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-10900K and Core i5-12600KF.

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.

i9-10900K 14.96
i5-12600KF 17.85
+19.3%

Core i5-12600KF outperforms Core i9-10900K by 19% in our combined benchmark results.


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.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

i9-10900K 22977
i5-12600KF 27409
+19.3%

Core i5-12600KF outperforms Core i9-10900K by 19% in Passmark.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i9-10900K 1749
i5-12600KF 2469
+41.2%

Core i5-12600KF outperforms Core i9-10900K by 41% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i9-10900K 9155
i5-12600KF 12014
+31.2%

Core i5-12600KF outperforms Core i9-10900K by 31% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

Gaming performance

Advantages and disadvantages


Performance score 14.96 17.85
Recency 30 April 2020 4 November 2021
Threads 20 16
Cost $488 $264

The Core i5-12600KF is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-10900K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-10900K and Core i5-12600KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

User ratings

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


Intel Core i9-10900K
Core i9-10900K
Intel Core i5-12600KF
Core i5-12600KF

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Questions and comments

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