Intel Core i7-12700KF vs Intel Core i5-12600KF

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-12700KF or Intel Core i7-12700KF – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-12700KF features 12 processor cores and has the capability to manage 20 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2021 and belongs to the 12 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-12700KF, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1700 socket.
The Intel Core i5-12600KF features 10 processor cores and has the capability to manage 16 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2021 and belongs to the 12 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-12600KF, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1700 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-12700KF Name Intel Core i5-12600KF
Intel Core i7 Family Intel Core i5
12 Generation 12
Intel Core i 12000 Group Intel Core i 12000
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-12700KF has 12 CPU cores and can calculate 20 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the A-Core is 3.6 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
Processors with hybrid (big.LITTLE) architecture strike a balance between performance and power efficiency, making them ideal for mobile devices.
The Intel Core i5-12600KF has 10 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the A-Core is 3.7 GHz.
5.0 GHz A-Core Frequency Turbo 4.9 GHz
2.7 GHz B-Core Frequency 2.8 GHz
3.6 GHz A-Core Frequency 3.7 GHz
4x Gracemont Cores B 4x Gracemont
8x Golden Cove Cores A 6x Golden Cove
Yes Overclocking Yes
hybrid (big.LITTLE) Core architecture hybrid (big.LITTLE)
3.8 GHz B-Core Frequency Turbo 3.6 GHz
20 Threads 16
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
12 CPU Cores 10
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-12700KF does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i5-12600KF does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU frequency --
-- Release date --
-- Direct X --
GPU name
-- Technology --
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- AVC --
-- VC-1 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- h264 --
-- VP8 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
2 Memory channels 2
128.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 76.8 GB/s
DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 Memory type DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 125 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
100 °C Tjunction max 100 °C
190 W TDP (PL2) 150 W
125 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 125 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-12700KF is manufactured using a 10 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 25.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i5-12600KF is manufactured using a 10 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 20.0 MB cache.
Q4/2021 Release date Q4/2021
-- Part Number BX8071512600KF
12.0 MB L2-Cache 9.5 MB
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Alder Lake S Architecture Alder Lake S
10 nm Technology 10 nm
LGA 1700 Socket LGA 1700
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
384 $ Release price 264 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
25.0 MB L3-Cache 20.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
34688
34688
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
27830
27830

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
22812
22812
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
17660
17660

V-Ray CPU-Render Benchmark

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
15450
15450
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
11742
11742

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
14992
14992
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
11912
11912

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
14129
14129
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
11991
11991

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
8750
8750
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
6702
6702

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
7822
7822
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
5589
5589

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
3327
3327
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
2596
2596

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
2528
2528
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
2472
2472

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
1939
1939
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
1918
1918

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
1872
1872
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
1854
1854

Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
757
757
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
741
741

Blender 3.1 Benchmark

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
319
319
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
249
249

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700KF
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
286
286
Intel Core i5-12600KF
10C 16T @ 3.7 GHz
274
274