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Core i5-12600KF

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Core i5-12600KF Specifications

The Core i5-12600KF is built on the Alder Lake architecture and manufactured using the 10 nm process. It is compatible with the LGA 1700 socket and supports DDR4 / DDR5 memory with speeds of up to 4800 MT/s. This processor features 6 performance cores operating at a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz , along with 4 efficiency cores running at a base clock of 2.80 GHz and boosting up to 3.60 GHz , and includes 16 threads. It also comes equipped with 9 MB of L2 cache and 20 MB of L3 cache.

This CPU has a base TDP of 125 W and a moderate maximum TDP of 150 W. Most mid-range aftermarket air coolers are sufficient for thermal control. This processor is also suitable for small form factor builds, which often have limited airflow.

This CPU does not include integrated graphics. A discrete graphics card is required for display output.

Core i5-12600KF Application Performance and Gaming Benchmark Analysis

Application Performance

Core i5-12600KF is an entry-level CPU, achieving a relative application performance score of 42.24% of the best possible desktop CPU performance. This CPU handles daily computing, coding, light gaming, productivity, and basic multitasking. Not recommended for heavy workloads or professional-grade applications.

In terms of productivity value, Core i5-12600KF offers excellent performance per dollar, achieving 91.4% efficiency relative to the best possible CPU in the application performance-per-price category. It is an excellent choice for cost-effective computing.

Gaming Performance

Core i5-12600KF is an entry-level gaming CPU, achieving a relative gaming performance score at 1080p resolution of 69.12% compared to the best possible desktop CPU gaming performance. While gaming performance is limited when paired with top-tier graphics cards, such pairings are uncommon in this category. When combined with an appropriate entry-level GPU, this CPU does not cause significant performance loss, as the GPU generally becomes the primary limiting factor.

For gamers, Core i5-12600KF offers exceptional value, scoring 82.5% in gaming performance per dollar. It's ideal for budget-conscious gamers looking to pair this CPU with a cost-effective graphics card without significantly sacrificing performance.

Core i5-12600KF CPU Information

Release Price: $290.00

Current Price on Amazon: $129

  • Amazon Price Updated: 15 hours, 25 minutes ago.

    • Launch Date: 3 years, 7 months ago.

    CPU Available: True

    Architecture: Alder Lake

    Process: 10 nm

    Socket: LGA 1700

    Cores / Threads: 6 / 16

    Small Cores: 4

    Base / Boost Clock: 3.70 GHz / 4.90 GHz

    Small Cores Base / Boost Clock: 2.80 GHz / 3.60 GHz

    Memory Support / Max Speed: DDR4 / DDR5 / 4800 MT/s

    L2 Cache / L3 Cache: 9 MB / 20 MB

    TDP / Max TDP: 125 W / 150 W

    Integrated Graphics: False

    Rendering Performance

    Cinebench R24 Multi-core: 966

    Cinebench R24 Multi-core Relative: 39.66%

    Cinebench R24 Single-core: 109

    Blender Relative Performance: 35.07%

    Encoding Performance

    AV1 Encoding Relative: 55.56%

    H265 Encoding Relative: 44.75%

    Compression / Decompression

    Compression (7-Zip): 44.39%

    Decompression (7-Zip): 34.04%

    Gaming Performance

    Relative Gaming Performance at 1080p: 69.12%

    Graphics Performance per Price: 82.5%

    Calculated Performance

    Relative Performance: 42.2%

    Performance per Price: 91.4%

    Combined per Price: 89.8%

    Core i5-12600KF Compared to Similar Performance CPUs

    CPU Price / Performance Table

    CPU (Desc) Price (Desc) Performance (Desc) Game_Perf (Desc) Combined (Desc) Perf/Price (Desc) Game/Price (Desc) Combined/Price (Desc)
    $178 | 0.0%
    45.7%
    81.4%
    63.5%
    71.7%
    70.4%
    74.3%
    $246 | 0.0%
    45.5%
    73.5%
    59.5%
    51.6%
    46.0%
    50.3%
    $226 | ↓ -0.9%
    45.5%
    73.5%
    59.5%
    56.1%
    50.1%
    54.7%
    $309 | 0.0%
    45.0%
    73.6%
    59.3%
    40.6%
    36.7%
    39.9%
    $149 | 0.0%
    42.2%
    69.1%
    55.7%
    79.1%
    71.4%
    77.7%
    $129 | 0.0%
    42.2%
    69.1%
    55.7%
    91.4%
    82.5%
    89.8%
    $170 | ↓ -5.0%
    41.6%
    77.7%
    59.6%
    68.2%
    70.4%
    73.0%
    $300❗ | 0.0%
    41.3%
    77.1%
    59.2%
    38.4%
    39.6%
    41.1%
    $149 | 0.0%
    41.0%
    64.2%
    52.6%
    76.8%
    66.3%
    73.4%

    CPU Specification Table

    CPU (Desc) C/SC/T L2/L3 Cache Base/Bost Memory Type Code Name TDP/Max Socket GPU
    Ryzen 5 9600X 6 / 0 / 12 6.0 MB / 32.0 MB 3.90 GHz / 5.40 GHz DDR5 / 5600MT/s Zen 5 Granite Ridge 65 W / 88 W AM5 Radeon™ Graphics
    Core Ultra 5 225 6 / 4 / 10 22.0 MB / 20.0 MB 3.30 GHz / 4.90 GHz DDR5 / 6400MT/s Arrow Lake 65 W / 121 W LGA 1851 Intel® Graphics
    Core Ultra 5 225F 6 / 4 / 10 22.0 MB / 20.0 MB 3.30 GHz / 4.90 GHz DDR5 / 6400MT/s Arrow Lake 65 W / 121 W LGA 1851 None
    Core i7-12700 8 / 4 / 20 12.0 MB / 25.0 MB 2.10 GHz / 4.80 GHz DDR4 / DDR5 / 4800MT/s Alder Lake 65 W / 180 W LGA 1700 UHD Graphics 770
    Core i5-12600K 6 / 4 / 16 9.0 MB / 20.0 MB 3.70 GHz / 4.90 GHz DDR4 / DDR5 / 4800MT/s Alder Lake 125 W / 150 W LGA 1700 UHD Graphics 770
    Core i5-12600KF 6 / 4 / 16 9.0 MB / 20.0 MB 3.70 GHz / 4.90 GHz DDR4 / DDR5 / 4800MT/s Alder Lake 125 W / 150 W LGA 1700 None
    Ryzen 5 7600X 6 / 0 / 12 6.0 MB / 32.0 MB 4.70 GHz / 5.30 GHz DDR5 / 5200MT/s Zen 4 Raphael 105 W / 142 W AM5 Radeon™ Graphics
    Ryzen 7 5800X3D 8 / 0 / 16 4.0 MB / 96.0 MB 3.40 GHz / 4.50 GHz DDR4 / 3200MT/s Zen 3 Vermeer 105 W / 142 W AM4 None
    Ryzen 7 5800XT 8 / 0 / 16 4.0 MB / 32.0 MB 3.80 GHz / 4.80 GHz DDR4 / 3200MT/s Zen 3 Vermeer 105 W / 142 W AM4 None

    CPU Performance in Rendering, Encoding and Compression-Decompression

    CPU (Desc) CB24_MC (Desc) CB24_SC (Desc) CB24_rel (Desc) Blender (Desc) Encoding_AV1 (Desc) Encoding_h265 (Desc) 7-zip_Pack(Desc) 7-zip_Unpack (Desc) Performance (Desc)
    Ryzen 5 9600X 976 133
    40.1%
    38.7%
    63.8%
    47.2%
    46.3%
    38.3%
    45.7%
    Core Ultra 5 225 950 126
    39.0%
    40.9%
    61.7%
    47.0%
    48.8%
    35.5%
    45.5%
    Core Ultra 5 225F 950 126
    39.0%
    40.9%
    61.7%
    47.0%
    48.8%
    35.5%
    45.5%
    Core i7-12700 1004 110
    41.2%
    39.7%
    54.4%
    52.3%
    47.8%
    34.8%
    45.0%
    Core i5-12600K 966 109
    39.7%
    35.1%
    55.6%
    44.8%
    44.4%
    34.0%
    42.2%
    Core i5-12600KF 966 109
    39.7%
    35.1%
    55.6%
    44.8%
    44.4%
    34.0%
    42.2%
    Ryzen 5 7600X 885 117
    36.4%
    29.8%
    55.6%
    44.4%
    45.4%
    37.9%
    41.6%
    Ryzen 7 5800X3D 860 95
    35.3%
    31.3%
    52.6%
    40.8%
    46.3%
    41.5%
    41.3%
    Ryzen 7 5800XT 884 97
    36.3%
    32.2%
    51.6%
    40.0%
    44.4%
    41.8%
    41.0%