i5-12600KF vs i5-3230M

#ad 
Buy on Amazon
VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-3230M
2013
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.61
Core i5-12600KF
2021
10 cores / 16 threads, 125 Watt
17.57
+991%

Core i5-12600KF outperforms Core i5-3230M by a whopping 991% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-3230M and Core i5-12600KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2102358
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data48.69
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i5
Power efficiency4.3513.30
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date1 January 2013 (11 years ago)4 November 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$225$264

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-3230M 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 cores2 (Dual-core)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads416
Base clock speed2.6 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed3.2 GHz4.9 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 4.0
Bus rate5 GT/s8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplierno data37
L1 cache64K (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)9.5 MB
L3 cache3 MB (shared)20 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size118 mm2215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature105 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-3230M 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
SocketFCPGA988FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)35 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-3230M and Core i5-12600KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data-
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i5-3230M and Core i5-12600KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-no data
EDB++
Secure Key++
Identity Protection+-
OS Guardno data+
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-3230M and Core i5-12600KF are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-3230M and Core i5-12600KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size32 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s76.805 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 4000no data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.1 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-3230M and Core i5-12600KF integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
SDVO+no data
CRT+no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-3230M 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.

i5-3230M 1.61
i5-12600KF 17.57
+991%

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.

i5-3230M 2562
i5-12600KF 27907
+989%

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.

i5-3230M 506
i5-12600KF 2519
+398%

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.

i5-3230M 1020
i5-12600KF 12312
+1107%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.61 17.57
Recency 1 January 2013 4 November 2021
Physical cores 2 10
Threads 4 16
Power consumption (TDP) 35 Watt 125 Watt

i5-3230M has 257.1% lower power consumption.

i5-12600KF, on the other hand, has a 991.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 8 years, and 400% more physical cores and 300% more threads.

The Core i5-12600KF is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-3230M in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i5-3230M is a notebook processor while Core i5-12600KF is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-3230M and Core i5-12600KF, 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 i5-3230M
Core i5-3230M
Intel Core i5-12600KF
Core i5-12600KF

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.


3.8 1117 votes

Rate Core i5-3230M on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.4 1848 votes

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

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i5-3230M or Core i5-12600KF, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.