Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i9-12900 vs Intel Core i7-12700

Intel Core i5-12600K

The Intel Core i5-12600K is a mid-range CPU for desktops based on the Alder Lake architecture. It was first announced in November 2021 and offers 6 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. The performance cores (P-cores) support HyperThreading, leading to 16 Threads that can be processed at once. The performance cores can clock with up to 4.9 GHz, the efficiency cores can clock with up to 3.6 GHz. All cores can use 20 MB Smart Cache. The integrated memory controller supports up to 128 GB DDR5 with 4800 MT/s (dual channel).

Thread Director (in hardware) can support the operating system to decide which thread to use on the performance or efficiency cores for the best performance.

The integrated graphics adapter is based on the Xe-architecture and called Intel UHD Graphics 770. It clocks between 300 and 1.45 GHz.

For AI tasks, the CPU also integrates GNA 3.0 and DL Boost. Quick Sync in version 8 is the same as in the Rocket Lake CPUs and supports MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1 decode, JPEG, VP8 decode, VP9, HEVC and AV1 decode in hardware.

Performance

The average 12600K in our database is way ahead of the Ryzen 9 3900 and the Core i9-10900K, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned. This is a very fast CPU that should have no trouble running triple-A games for at least a couple of years.

Power consumption

This Core i5 series chip has a Base power consumption of 125 W, with its maximum Intel-recommended Turbo power consumption sitting at 150 W.

The i5-12600K is built with Intel's fourth generation 10 nm process marketed as Intel 7 for lower-than-average, as of mid 2023, energy efficiency.

Intel Core i9-12900

The Intel Core i9-12900 is a high end CPU for desktops based on the Alder Lake architecture. It was first announced in November 2021 and offers 8 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores. The performance cores (P-cores) support HyperThreading, leading to 24 Threads that can be processed at once. The performance cores can clock with up to 5.1 GHz, the efficiency cores can clock with up to 3.8 GHz. All cores can use 30 MB Smart Cache. The integrated memory controller supports up to 128 GB DDR5 with 4800 MT/s (dual channel).

The Thread Director (in hardware) can support the operating system to decide which thread to use on the performance or efficiency cores for the best performance.

For AI tasks, the CPU also integrates GNA 3.0 and DL Boost (most likely only using AVX2). Quick Sync in version 8 is the same as in the Rocket Lake CPUs and supports MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1 decode, JPEG, VP8 decode, VP9, HEVC and AV1 decode in hardware.

The integrated graphics card is based on the Xe-architecture and called Intel UHD Graphics 770. It clocks between 300 and 1.55 GHz.

The CPU is rated at 65 W base power and 202 Watt maximum Turbo power. It is manufactured in 10nm, called Intel 7, process at Intel.

Intel Core i7-12700

The Intel Core i7-12700F is a fast eight-core desktop processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, which was introduced in November 2021. The processor offers a base clock of 3.3 GHz and reaches up to 4.9 GHz in Turbo. In the same way, the Intel Core i7-12700K the Core i7-12700F is based on a hybrid architecture of 8P and 4E cores. The innovations of the Alder Lake-S processor compared to Rocket Lake, together with the smaller 10 nm manufacturing process, are clearly noticeable. The Intel Core i7-12700 does not offer a free multiplier, which means that overclocking is not possible.

Performance

Compared to the Intel Core i7-11700 , performance has been increased with a better IPC. The additional e-cores are also clearly noticeable in multi-threaded applications. Overall, this provides a noticeable performance boost, which also has an effect on all application areas. The 4 E-Cores provide the P-Cores with significantly more power. If all requirements are met, Intel Turbo Boost 3.0can increase the clock rate of the P-Cores to up to 4.9 GHz. The E-cores also offer a turbo and clock up to 3.6 GHz.

Graphics unit

The Intel Core i7-12700 is a processor with an integrated graphics unit. However, with the Intel UHD Graphics 770 there is only a simple iGPU which is only suitable for office use.

Power consumption

The TDP of the Intel Core i7-12700 is 65 watts, with the option to consume up to 180 watts in Turbo mode. If all restrictions are deactivated in the BIOS, the PL2 value can be achieved permanently. However, a high-quality and powerful cooling unit should be used for this.