i7-12700KF vs i5-12600K

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-12600K and Core i7-12700KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	357	243
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	42.12	42.23
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i5	Intel Core i7
Power efficiency	13.20	16.36
Architecture codename	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date	4 November 2021 (3 years ago)	4 November 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$289	$384

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-12600K and i7-12700KF have a nearly equal value for money.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-12600K and Core i7-12700KF 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 cores	10 (Deca-Core)	12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads	16	20
Base clock speed	3.7 GHz	3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.9 GHz	5 GHz
Bus type	DMI 4.0	DMI 4.0
Bus rate	8 × 16 GT/s	8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier	37	36
L1 cache	80K (per core)	80K (per core)
L2 cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache	20 MB (shared)	25 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Die size	215.25 mm2	215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	72 °C
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	+
Unlocked multiplier	+	+

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-12600K and Core i7-12700KF 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 configuration	1	1
Socket	FCLGA1700	FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)	125 Watt	125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-12600K and Core i7-12700KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	+	+
FMA	+	-
AVX	+	+
vPro	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
SIPP	+	-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	-	+
Deep Learning Boost	+	+

Security technologies

Core i5-12600K and Core i7-12700KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	no data
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	+	+
OS Guard	+	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-12600K and Core i7-12700KF 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 i7-12700KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4, DDR5	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	76.805 GB/s	76.805 GB/s
ECC memory support	+	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel UHD Graphics 770	no data
Quick Sync Video	+	-
Clear Video HD	+	no data
Graphics max frequency	1.45 GHz	no data
Execution Units	32	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-12600K and Core i7-12700KF integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

4

no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-12600K and Core i7-12700KF integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz	no data
Max resolution over eDP	5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz	no data
Max resolution over DisplayPort	7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz	no data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-12600K and Core i7-12700KF integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	12	no data
OpenGL	4.5	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-12600K and Core i7-12700KF.

PCIe version	5.0 and 4.0	5.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes	20	20

Synthetic benchmark performance

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

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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.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	17.43	21.61
Physical cores	10	12
Threads	16	20

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-12600K and Core i7-12700KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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