Intel Core i5-12600K VS Intel Core i9-12900K

Comparison of video cards Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i9-12900K in benchmarks and specifications.

Differences Specifications Benchmarks

Differences

Top features of Intel Core i5-12600K

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Top features of Intel Core i9-12900K

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More number of cores

16 10

2 times more cores
Higher turbo clock speed

5.30 GHz 4.90 GHz

Around 8 % better overclocked clock speed

Specifications

Complete list of technical specifications

Intel Core i5-12600K Intel Core i9-12900K

CPU generation and family

Let's find out which one of Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i9-12900K is of a more recent generation, and what segment it belongs to.

Specification	Value
Name	Intel Core i5-12600K Intel Core i9-12900K
Segment	Desktop / Server Desktop / Server
Family	Intel Core i5 Intel Core i9
Generation	12 12
CPU group	Intel Core i 12000 Intel Core i 12000
Predecessor	Intel Core i5-11600K Intel Core i9-11900K

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

In this block we are going to compare Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i9-12900K by main technical specifications: number of cores and threads, base and maximum frequencies, process technology and cache size. The higher these specifications are, the more powerful your CPU will be.

Specification	Value
Frequency	3.70 GHz 3.70 GHz
CPU Cores	10 16
Turbo (1 Core)	4.90 GHz 5.30 GHz
CPU Threads	16 24
Hyperthreading	Yes Yes
Overclocking	Yes Yes
Core architecture	hybrid (big.LITTLE) hybrid (big.LITTLE)
A core	6x Golden Cove 8x Golden Cove
B core	4x Gracemont 8x Gracemont

Internal Graphics

Common specifications for integrated graphics cards in Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i9-12900K along with supported interfaces and connection options. This block has no effect on the final efficiency of the CPU.

Specification	Value
GPU name	Intel Iris Xe Graphics 32 (Alder Lake S) Intel Iris Xe Graphics 32 (Alder Lake S)
GPU frequency	0.40 GHz 0.40 GHz
GPU (Turbo)	1.45 GHz 1.45 GHz
Execution units	32 32
Shader	256 256
Max. GPU Memory	16 GB 16 GB
Max. displays	4 4
Generation	12 12
DirectX Version	12 12
Technology	10 nm 10 nm
Release date	Q4/2021 Q4/2021

Hardware codec support

Let's compare the support of video codecs between Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i9-12900K. Hardware support of video decoding by embedded graphics cards directly affects the speed and quality of rendering videos.

Specification	Value
h265 / HEVC (8 bit)	Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
h265 / HEVC (10 bit)	Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
h264	Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
VP9	Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
VP8	Decode Decode
AV1	Decode Decode
AVC	Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
VC-1	Decode Decode
JPEG	Decode / Encode Decode / Encode

Memory & PCIe

To choose the best model between Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i9-12900K you need to pay special attention to memory type, clock frequency, multi-channel features, and PCIe version. The higher these numbers are, the better your CPU will be. Keep in mind that the maximum memory and frequency may also depend on the model of the motherboard.

Specification	Value
Memory type	DDR4-3200DDR5-4800 DDR4-3200DDR5-4800
Max. Memory	256 GB 256 GB
ECC	No No
Memory channels	2 2
PCIe version	5.0 5.0
PCIe lanes	20 20

Encryption

AES-NI encryption support for CPUs Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i9-12900K.

Specification	Value
AES-NI	Yes Yes

Thermal Management

Let's find out what TDP value would be better for Intel Core i5-12600K or Intel Core i9-12900K? The Thermal Design Power (TDP) indicates the maximum amount of heat that should be dissipated by the chip cooling system. However, the value of TDP gives only a rough indication of the real power consumption of the CPU.

Specification	Value
TDP (PL1)	125 W 125 W
TDP (PL2)	228 W / 56 s 228 W / 56 s
Tjunction max.	100 °C 100 °C

Technical details

Here you can find a comparison of 2nd and 3rd level cache sizes for Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i9-12900K CPUs along with a list of ISA extensions.

Specification	Value
Instruction set (ISA)	x86-64 (64 bit) x86-64 (64 bit)
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
ISA extensions	SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+
L2-Cache	-- 3.75 MB
L3-Cache	20.00 MB 30.00 MB
Architecture	Alder Lake S Alder Lake S
Technology	10 nm 10 nm
Socket	LGA 1700 LGA 1700
Release date	Q4/2021 Q4/2021
Part Number	BX8071512600K BX8071512900K