i9-12900KS vs i5-10600K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-10600K
2020
6 cores / 12 threads, 125 Watt
9.34
Core i9-12900KS
2022
16 cores / 24 threads, 150 Watt
28.77
+208%

Core i9-12900KS outperforms Core i5-10600K by a whopping 208% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-10600K and Core i9-12900KS processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking843171
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation15.40no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency6.8117.49
Architecture codenameComet Lake (2020)Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date30 April 2020 (4 years ago)5 April 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$262no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-10600K and Core i9-12900KS 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 cores6 (Hexa-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads1224
Base clock speed4.1 GHz3.4 GHz
Boost clock speed4.8 GHz5.3 GHz
Bus rate8 GT/sno data
L1 cache64K (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)30 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die sizeno data215 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C90 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-10600K and Core i9-12900KS 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 Watt150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-10600K and Core i9-12900KS. 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+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
SIPP+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0-+
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i5-10600K and Core i9-12900KS technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-10600K and Core i9-12900KS are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-10600K and Core i9-12900KS. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth41.6 GB/s76.8 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 frequency1.2 GHz1.55 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-10600K and Core i9-12900KS integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported34

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-10600K and Core i9-12900KS integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

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

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-10600K and Core i9-12900KS integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX1212
OpenGL4.54.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-10600K and Core i9-12900KS.

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.

i5-10600K 9.34
i9-12900KS 28.77
+208%

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.

i5-10600K 14298
i9-12900KS 44028
+208%

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.

i5-10600K 1688
i9-12900KS 2696
+59.7%

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.

i5-10600K 6895
i9-12900KS 16238
+136%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.34 28.77
Integrated graphics card 3.09 6.15
Recency 30 April 2020 5 April 2022
Physical cores 6 16
Threads 12 24
Power consumption (TDP) 125 Watt 150 Watt

i5-10600K has 20% lower power consumption.

i9-12900KS, on the other hand, has a 208% higher aggregate performance score, 99% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 1 year, and 166.7% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

The Core i9-12900KS is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-10600K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-10600K and Core i9-12900KS, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-10600K
Core i5-10600K
Intel Core i9-12900KS
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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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