i5-12600KF vs i7-8700K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-8700K
2017
6 cores / 12 threads, 95 Watt
8.57
Core i5-12600KF
2021
10 cores / 16 threads, 125 Watt
17.56
+105%

Core i5-12600KF outperforms Core i7-8700K by a whopping 105% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-8700K and Core i5-12600KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking887358
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation4.5648.63
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i5
Power efficiency8.5413.29
Architecture codenameCoffee Lake-S (2017−2018)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date24 September 2017 (7 years ago)27 October 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$359$264

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-12600KF has 966% better value for money than i7-8700K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-8700K 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 cores6 (Hexa-Core)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads1216
Base clock speed3.7 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed4.7 GHz4.9 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0DMI 4.0
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier3737
L1 cache384 KB384 KB
L2 cache1.5 MB9.5 MB
L3 cache12288 KB2 MB
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 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 i7-8700K 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
SocketFCLGA1151FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-8700K 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++
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 i7-8700K 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 i7-8700K 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 i7-8700K and Core i5-12600KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3, DDR4DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth42.671 GB/s76.805 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 630no data
Max video memory64 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.2 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-8700K and Core i5-12600KF integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-8700K and Core i5-12600KF integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2304@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2304@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2304@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-8700K 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 i7-8700K 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.

i7-8700K 8.57
i5-12600KF 17.56
+105%

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.

i7-8700K 13619
i5-12600KF 27901
+105%

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.

i7-8700K 1609
i5-12600KF 2519
+56.6%

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.

i7-8700K 6504
i5-12600KF 12311
+89.3%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 8.57 17.56
Recency 24 September 2017 27 October 2021
Physical cores 6 10
Threads 12 16
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 125 Watt

i7-8700K has 31.6% lower power consumption.

i5-12600KF, on the other hand, has a 104.9% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 4 years, and 66.7% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads.

The Core i5-12600KF is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-8700K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-8700K 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 i7-8700K
Core i7-8700K
Intel Core i5-12600KF
Core i5-12600KF

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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