i7-12700K Vs i5-12600K: Our Recommendation

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Abde Manaf

At Tech4Gamers, I began as a comparison writer, analyzing GPU and CPU performance. Now, I focus on writing reviews and contributing to the best-ofs section, sharing personal insights after hands-on testing.

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Two of the most popular processors of all time are none other than the Core i7-12700K vs Core i5-12600K. These two CPUs have made their name for a reason; therefore, today we’ll explore their gaming abilities by putting them to the test so you know the reason for their increased popularity.  

Comparison Table

Architectural Differences

1. Process Node & Socket: Both processors are manufactured using Intel’s 10nm process node and support Intel’s LGA 1700 socket.
2. Base & Boost Clock: Intel’s Core i7-12700K arrives with a base clock of 3.6 GHz which can be ramped up to 5.0 GHz (with E-Core of 2.7 GHz up to 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-12600K has a base frequency of 3.7 GHz, which can exceed up to 4.9 GHz (with an E-Core of 2.8 GHz up to 3.6 GHz).
3. PCIe & Chipsets: The two CPUs support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) and support the same Z690, H670, B660, and H610 motherboard chipsets.
4. TDP & Integrated Graphics: Both the Core i7-12700K and the Core i5-12600K arrive with a TDP rating of 125W. They have integrated graphics of Intel’s UHD Graphics 770.

Core i7-12700K Vs Core i5-12600K: Gaming Benchmarks At 1080p

Aside from the technical details of the two processors, it is time we share with you their gaming capabilities by putting them to the test in games. Therefore, here are the average FPS and 1% lows in five games played at 1080p.

Testing Rig

• Motherboard 1: MSI MPG Z690 Force
• Memory: V-Color Manta xSky RGB 32GB DDR5 5600Mhz
• Graphics Card: MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 10GB
• CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
• Power Supply: be quiet! Dark Power Pro 13 1300W 
• Storage: XPG GAMMIX S70 BLADE 2TB NVMe
• OS: Windows 11

Forza Horizon 5

• In our first game, we saw the Core i7-12700K take the immediate lead by obtaining an average of 222 FPS over Core i5-12600K’s 214 FPS – showcasing an exact 3.6% difference in performance.
• As for the 1% lows, the Core i7-12700K maintained the lead with an average of 167 FPS. In contrast, the Core i5-12600K displayed an average of 163 FPS.

Hitman 3

• In Hitman 3, the Core i7-12700K outperformed the Core i5-12600K with a 6.7% edge by having an average of 200 FPS over 187 FPS, respectively.
• In terms of 1% lows, the i7-12700K came out victorious with an average of 158 FPS whereas, the i5-12600K showed an average of 146 FPS.

Shadow Of The Tomb Raider

• Here, the Core i7-12700K displayed its lead by achieving an average of 201 FPS. On the other hand, the Core i5-12600K obtained 191 FPS, displaying a 5.1% margin.
• The 1% lows were in favor of the Core i7-12700K which averaged 140 FPS over Core i7-12700K’s average of 124 FPS.

Cyberpunk 2077

• The Core i7-12700K reached an average of 156 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077. Whereas, the Core i5-12600K obtained an average of 149 FPS, making the i7-12700K gain an edge by 4.5%.
• We noticed that the 1% lows result was also close where the Core i7-12700K acquired 124 FPS and the Core i5-12600K performed closer with 115 FPS.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

• In our last game, the Core i7-12700K outshined the Core i5-12600K by gaining an average of 114 FPS over i5-12600K’s 109 FPS. This makes the Core i7-12700K 4.4% better. 
• Here, we observed that Core i7-12700K dropped to an average 1% low of 89 FPS. This is higher in Core i5-12600K’s case which obtained 90 FPS.

Overall Gaming Performance

We saw the Core i7-12700K averaged 178.6 FPS over the Core i5-12600K’s 170 FPS.  This makes the Core i7-12700K emerge victorious by having a 4.9% performance difference over its rival. However, in terms of the 1% lows, the i7-12700K displayed better performance by achieving an average of 135.6 FPS over the i5-12600K which had 127.6 FPS.

Thermal Efficiency

Despite the difference in average FPS and 1% lows, we observed a clear difference when it comes to temperatures. The Core i7-12700K operated at an average of 89.8°C, while the Core i5-12600K reached an average of 76°C. On average, the Core i5-12600K operated 16.6% cooler when compared to the Core i7-12700K 

Power Consumption

Throughout the five games, we noticed both the processors showed almost the same amount of power consumption. Where the Core i7-12700K consumed 58.6W, the Core i5-12600K consumed 59.4W – making the Core i7-12700K slightly more power-efficient than its counterpart, with a 1.3% better power-efficiency. 

Pricing And Availability

The Core i7-12700K, which came out at a price point of $409, is now being sold for around $284. Whereas, the Core i5-12600K was released with a price tag of $289 and is currently being sold for almost $229. Both CPUs are readily available both separately as well as with other PC components over online sites.

Core i5-12600K Vs Core i7-12700K: Which One Do We Recommend?

Picking one from these two efficient processors could be a head-scratching task but we have tried to ease the process by presenting them in digestable points.

Core i5-12600K: If you’re on a budget and want ultimate gaming performance, we highly recommend you go for the Core i5-12600K. It has a higher gaming performance with only a 4.9% performance difference while having better thermal efficiency – all the while costing less than its rival.

Core i7-12700K: We recommend you get the Core i7-12700K if you’re not bound by any budget constraints. because it showed better performance and power efficiency and its price has been reduced from its MSRP over the years, making it closer to that of the Core i5-12600K. Its higher cores and threads can also allow you to get better performance in productivity tasks.

Whichever processor you choose, it should go well with your preferences, budget, and your PC setup. This will ensure maximum pleasure in the long run.

Pros And Cons 

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Abde Manaf

[Comparisons Expert]

Abdemanaf is a skilled creative writer who has been honing his craft since 2011. While initially working in different fields, he found a passion for technology and has been exploring the tech world since early 2015. Over the years, he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the latest tech trends and product offerings by various companies.

Abdemanaf’s writing reflects his analytical mindset and ability to think critically. He has a knack for breaking down complex technical information into easily digestible pieces, making his articles engaging and accessible to readers from all backgrounds. In February 2022, he joined Tech4Gamers as a blog and product comparison writer, where he has been able to hone his skills further.

As a writer, Abdemanaf is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and trends, enabling him to provide readers with the most relevant and accurate information. He is always eager to learn more and is constantly seeking new challenges to improve his skills.

Get In Touch: manaf@old.tech4gamers.com