i7-12700K vs i5-8600

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-8600
2018
6 cores / 6 threads, 65 Watt
6.51
Core i7-12700K
2021
12 cores / 20 threads, 125 Watt
22.61
+247%

Core i7-12700K outperforms Core i5-8600 by a whopping 247% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-8600 and Core i7-12700K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1060237
Place by popularitynot in top-10057
Cost-effectiveness evaluation6.1940.38
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i7
Power efficiency9.1316.49
Architecture codenameCoffee Lake (2017−2019)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date2 April 2018 (6 years ago)27 October 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$213$409

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-12700K has 552% better value for money than i5-8600.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-8600 and Core i7-12700K 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 cores6 (Hexa-Core)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads620
Base clock speed3.1 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed4.3 GHz5 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0DMI 4.0
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier3136
L1 cache384 KB384 KB
L2 cache1.5 MB2 MB
L3 cache9 MB (shared)1 MB
Chip lithography14 nm10 nm
Die size149 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 i5-8600 and Core i7-12700K 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
SocketFCLGA1151FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-8600 and Core i7-12700K. 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 Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
TSX+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
SIPP++
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i5-8600 and Core i7-12700K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key++
MPX+-
Identity Protection+-
SGXYes with Intel® MEno data
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-8600 and Core i7-12700K are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-8600 and Core i7-12700K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth42.671 GB/s76.805 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel UHD Graphics 630Intel UHD Graphics 770
Max video memory64 GBno data
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.15 GHz1.5 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-8600 and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported34

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-8600 and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096x2304@24Hz4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDP4096x2304@60Hz5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096x2304@60Hz7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-8600 and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX1212
OpenGL4.54.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-8600 and Core i7-12700K.

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.

i5-8600 6.51
i7-12700K 22.61
+247%

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.

i5-8600 9967
i7-12700K 34596
+247%

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.

i5-8600 1460
i7-12700K 2555
+75%

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.

i5-8600 5039
i7-12700K 13796
+174%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.51 22.61
Integrated graphics card 3.09 6.15
Recency 2 April 2018 27 October 2021
Physical cores 6 12
Threads 6 20
Chip lithography 14 nm 10 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 125 Watt

i5-8600 has 92.3% lower power consumption.

i7-12700K, on the other hand, has a 247.3% higher aggregate performance score, 99% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 3 years, 100% more physical cores and 233.3% more threads, and a 40% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i7-12700K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-8600 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-8600 and Core i7-12700K, 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 i5-8600
Core i5-8600
Intel Core i7-12700K
Core i7-12700K

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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