i9-12950HX vs i5-12600KF

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-12600KF
2021
10 cores / 16 threads, 125 Watt
18.24
Core i9-12950HX
2022
16 cores / 24 threads, 55 Watt
21.14
+15.9%

Core i9-12950HX outperforms Core i5-12600KF by a moderate 16% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-12600KF and Core i9-12950HX processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking351269
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation46.91no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i5no data
Power efficiency13.3135.05
Architecture codenameAlder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)Alder Lake-HX (2022)
Release date27 October 2021 (3 years ago)10 May 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$264no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-12600KF and Core i9-12950HX 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)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads1624
Base clock speed3.7 GHz2.3 GHz
Boost clock speed4.9 GHz5 GHz
Bus typeDMI 4.0no data
Bus rate8 × 16 GT/sno data
Multiplier37no data
L1 cache384 KB80K (per core)
L2 cache9.5 MB1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache2 MB30 MB (shared)
Chip lithographyIntel 7 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size215.25 mm2215 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-12600KF and Core i9-12950HX 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
SocketFCLGA1700FCBGA1964
Power consumption (TDP)125 Watt55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-12600KF and Core i9-12950HX. 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++
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++

Security technologies

Core i5-12600KF and Core i9-12950HX technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDB++
Secure Key++
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-12600KF and Core i9-12950HX are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-12600KF and Core i9-12950HX. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR5-4800, DDR4-3200DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth76.805 GB/s76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel® UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel® Processors
Quick Sync Video-+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.55 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-12600KF and Core i9-12950HX integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-12600KF and Core i9-12950HX integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-12600KF and Core i9-12950HX integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12.1
OpenGLno data4.6

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-12600KF and Core i9-12950HX.

PCIe version5.0 and 4.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes2020

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.

i5-12600KF 18.24
i9-12950HX 21.14
+15.9%

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.

i5-12600KF 27909
i9-12950HX 32346
+15.9%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 18.24 21.14
Recency 27 October 2021 10 May 2022
Physical cores 10 16
Threads 16 24
Power consumption (TDP) 125 Watt 55 Watt

i9-12950HX has a 15.9% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 6 months, 60% more physical cores and 50% more threads, and 127.3% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-12950HX is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-12600KF in performance tests.

Note that Core i5-12600KF is a desktop processor while Core i9-12950HX is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-12600KF and Core i9-12950HX, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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


Intel Core i5-12600KF
Core i5-12600KF
Intel Core i9-12950HX
Core i9-12950HX

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4.4 1730 votes

Rate Core i5-12600KF on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.3 27 votes

Rate Core i9-12950HX on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i5-12600KF or Core i9-12950HX, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.