Intel Core i7-10700K vs Intel Core i7-12700K vs Intel Core i5-10600K

Intel Core i7-10700K

The Intel Core i7-10700K is a high-end desktop CPU based on the Comet Lake architecture. The CPU offers 8 cores and 16 threads clocked at 3.8 - 5.1 GHz. The TDP is rated at 125 Watt (PL1) but the PL2 is set to 229 Watt for short term boosts (up to 56 seconds).

Intel Core i7-12700K

The Intel Core i7-12700K 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 4 efficiency cores. The performance cores (P-cores) support HyperThreading, leading to 20 Threads that can be processed at once. The performance cores can clock with up to 5 GHz (Turbo Boost Max 3.0), the efficiency cores can clock with up to 3.9 GHz. All cores can use 25 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 1.5 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 12700K in our database is way ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X and the Ryzen 9 3900X, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned. Which is a very, very impressive result, as of late 2022.

Power consumption

This Core i7 series chip has a Base power consumption of 125 W, with its highest Intel-recommended Turbo power consumption sitting at 190 W. It might be a good idea to get an AIO cooling solution for a chip this power hungry.

The i7-12700K is manufactured on Intel's fourth-generation 10 nm process marketed as Intel 7 for lower-than-average, as of early 2023, energy efficiency.

Intel Core i5-10600K

The Intel Core i5-10600K is a mid-range processor for desktops with six cores based on the Comet Lake architecture (CML-S, 4th generation of Skylake). The processor clocks at between 4.1 and 4.8 GHz and can execute up to twelfe threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. 

The processor is still manufactured in the old 14nm (14nm++) process. Thanks to the free multiplicator, the CPU can also be easily overclocked (but may not have much headroom).

The Comet Lake architecture is similar to Coffee Lake and offers the same features and is produced in the same 14nm process. Other than the improved clock rates, the memory controller now also supports faster DDR4-2933 RAM. More information on Comet Lake and all the models and articles on it can be found here.

Performance

Thanks to the high clock speeds (and possible TDP settings with most mainboards), the Core i5-10600K offers a similar speed than the old Core i7-9700K quad core. Compared to current AMD offerings, the multi-core performance is on par with a Ryzen 5 3600, single core and gaming performance with a faster Ryzen 9 3900.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a similar performance as the UHD630 in the Core i7-9900K. As a  low-end solution it will only run current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.

Power Consumption

Intel specifies the TDP with 125 Watts (PL1) but under full load up to 250 Watt are consumed (PL2). In default mode these 250 Watt and therefore high clock speeds can be maintained for up to 56 seconds, however, all boards offer the option to alter these settings.