i5-12600KF vs i9-7960X

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7960X and Core i5-12600KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	329	352
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	3.16	46.54
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i9	Intel Core i5
Power efficiency	10.42	13.30
Architecture codename	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date	1 September 2017 (7 years ago)	4 November 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,699	$264

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-12600KF has 1373% better value for money than i9-7960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7960X 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 cores	16 (Hexadeca-Core)	10 (Deca-Core)
Threads	32	16
Base clock speed	2.8 GHz	3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.4 GHz	4.9 GHz
Bus type	DMI 3.0	DMI 4.0
Bus rate	4 × 8 GT/s	8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier	no data	37
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	80K (per core)
L2 cache	1 MB (per core)	9.5 MB
L3 cache	22 MB (shared)	20 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	Intel 7 nm
Die size	484 mm2	215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature	98 °C	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	72 °C
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	+
Unlocked multiplier	+	+

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7960X 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 configuration	1 (Uniprocessor)	1
Socket	FCLGA2066	FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-12600KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
vPro	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	+	-
Idle States	no data	+
Thermal Monitoring	-	+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	-
Deep Learning Boost	-	+

Security technologies

Core i9-7960X and Core i5-12600KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB	+	+
Secure Key	no data	+
OS Guard	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-12600KF are enumerated here.

VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	no data	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-12600KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	85.33 GB/s	76.805 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

N/A

no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-12600KF.

PCIe version	3.0	5.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes	44	20

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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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.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	18.16	17.57
Recency	1 September 2017	4 November 2021
Physical cores	16	10
Threads	32	16
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	125 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7960X and Core i5-12600KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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