Ultra 5 125U vs i5-12600K

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-12600K
2021
10 cores / 16 threads, 125 Watt
18.09
+57.2%
Core Ultra 5 125U
2023
12 cores / 14 threads, 15 Watt
11.51

Core i5-12600K outperforms Core Ultra 5 125U by an impressive 57% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-12600K and Core Ultra 5 125U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking356695
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation42.38no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Meteor Lake-U
Power efficiency13.2069.97
Architecture codenameAlder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)Meteor Lake-P (2023)
Release date27 October 2021 (3 years ago)14 December 2023 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$289$363

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-12600K and Core Ultra 5 125U 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)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads1614
Base clock speed3.7 GHz1.3 GHz
Boost clock speed4.9 GHz4.3 GHz
Bus typeDMI 4.0no data
Bus rate8 × 16 GT/sno data
Multiplier37no data
L1 cache384 KB112 KB (per core)
L2 cache2 MB2 MB (per core)
L3 cache2 MB12 MB (shared)
Chip lithographyIntel 7 nmIntel 4 nm
Die size215.25 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature100 °C110 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+no data
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-12600K and Core Ultra 5 125U 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
SocketFCLGA1700FCBGA2049
Power consumption (TDP)125 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-12600K and Core Ultra 5 125U. 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++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Accessno data+
SIPP+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0--
Deep Learning Boost++
Supported AI Software Frameworks-OpenVINO™, WindowsML, ONNX RT

Security technologies

Core i5-12600K and Core Ultra 5 125U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key++
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-12600K and Core Ultra 5 125U are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-12600K and Core Ultra 5 125U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4, DDR5DDR5
Maximum memory size128 GB96 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth76.805 GB/sno data
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 770Intel® Graphics
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.45 GHz1.85 GHz
Execution Units32no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-12600K and Core Ultra 5 125U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported44

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-12600K and Core Ultra 5 125U integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2160 @ 60Hz4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz (HDMI 2.1 TMDS) 7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz (HDMI2.1 FRL)
Max resolution over eDP5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz3840x2400 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-12600K and Core Ultra 5 125U integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX1212.2
OpenGL4.54.6

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-12600K and Core Ultra 5 125U.

PCIe version5.0 and 4.04.0
PCI Express lanes2012
PCI supportno data4.0

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.

i5-12600K 18.09
+57.2%
Ultra 5 125U 11.51

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.

i5-12600K 27691
+57.2%
Ultra 5 125U 17616

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

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

i5-12600K 2555
+54.2%
Ultra 5 125U 1657

Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core

Cinebench R15 (standing for Release 15) is a benchmark made by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version (sometimes called Single-Thread) only uses a single processor thread to render a room full of reflective spheres and light sources.

i5-12600K 275
+22.2%
Ultra 5 125U 225

Geekbench 5.5 Multi-Core

i5-12600K 12797
+54%
Ultra 5 125U 8311

Blender(-)

i5-12600K 190
Ultra 5 125U 350
+84.7%

Geekbench 5.5 Single-Core

i5-12600K 1904
+21.4%
Ultra 5 125U 1569

7-Zip Single

i5-12600K 5944
+29.3%
Ultra 5 125U 4598

7-Zip

i5-12600K 64260
+64.4%
Ultra 5 125U 39087

WebXPRT 3

i5-12600K 293
+19.8%
Ultra 5 125U 245

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 18.09 11.51
Recency 27 October 2021 14 December 2023
Physical cores 10 12
Threads 16 14
Power consumption (TDP) 125 Watt 15 Watt

i5-12600K has a 57.2% higher aggregate performance score, and 14.3% more threads.

Ultra 5 125U, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 2 years, 20% more physical cores, and 733.3% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-12600K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core Ultra 5 125U in performance tests.

Note that Core i5-12600K is a desktop processor while Core Ultra 5 125U is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-12600K and Core Ultra 5 125U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-12600K
Core i5-12600K
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
Core Ultra 5 125U

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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