i5-12600KF vs i5-8259U

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Aggregate performance score

Core i5-8259U
2018
4 cores / 8 threads, 28 Watt
5.15
Core i5-12600KF
2021
10 cores / 16 threads, 125 Watt
18.24
+254%

Core i5-12600KF outperforms Core i5-8259U by a whopping 254% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-8259U and Core i5-12600KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1216349
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data49.01
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i5
Power efficiency16.7713.31
Architecture codenameCoffee Lake-U (2018−2019)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date2 April 2018 (6 years ago)27 October 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$320$264

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-8259U 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads816
Base clock speed2.3 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz4.9 GHz
Bus typeOPIDMI 4.0
Bus rate4 GT/s8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier2337
L1 cache256 KB384 KB
L2 cache1 MB9.5 MB
L3 cache6 MB (shared)2 MB
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size126 mm2215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-8259U 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCBGA1528FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)28 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-8259U and Core i5-12600KF. 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++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
eDRAM128 MBno data
Speed Shift++
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data-
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i5-8259U and Core i5-12600KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-no data
EDB++
Secure Key++
MPX+-
Identity Protection+-
SGXYes with Intel® MEno data
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-8259U 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 i5-8259U and Core i5-12600KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size32 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth38.397 GB/s76.805 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel Iris Plus Graphics 655no data
Max video memory32 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.05 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-8259U and Core i5-12600KF integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
DVI+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-8259U and Core i5-12600KF integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096x2304@30Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096x2304@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096x2304@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-8259U and Core i5-12600KF integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.5no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-8259U 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.

i5-8259U 5.15
i5-12600KF 18.24
+254%

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.

i5-8259U 7879
i5-12600KF 27912
+254%

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.

i5-8259U 1236
i5-12600KF 2516
+104%

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.

i5-8259U 4098
i5-12600KF 12302
+200%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.15 18.24
Recency 2 April 2018 27 October 2021
Physical cores 4 10
Threads 8 16
Power consumption (TDP) 28 Watt 125 Watt

i5-8259U has 346.4% lower power consumption.

i5-12600KF, on the other hand, has a 254.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, and 150% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

The Core i5-12600KF is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-8259U in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i5-8259U is a notebook processor while Core i5-12600KF is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-8259U and Core i5-12600KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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


Intel Core i5-8259U
Core i5-8259U
Intel Core i5-12600KF
Core i5-12600KF

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

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


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Questions & comments

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