PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-12600K

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $120 less on MSRP ($289 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 95.5 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($289 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (27,586 vs 34,347).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).

Core i7-12700K

2021

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 84.0 vs 95.5 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $289 MSRP).

Core i5-12600K

2021

Core i7-12700K

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $120 less on MSRP ($289 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 95.5 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($289 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (27,586 vs 34,347).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 84.0 vs 95.5 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $289 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700K better than Core i5-12600K?

Yes. Core i7-12700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 2.5% average FPS lead across 28 shared CPU game tests in our data, 24.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-12700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 2.5% more average FPS across 28 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700K is the better fit. You are getting 24.5% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-12700K is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12600K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i7-12700K is 41.5% more expensive on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $289 MSRP, and it gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 28 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12600K is also 13.7% better value on MSRP (95.5 vs 84.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-12700K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 20 threads instead of 10/16. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-12600K Benchmark Check

Core i7-12700K Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12600K	Core i7-12700K
1080p
low	311 FPS	314 FPS
medium	292 FPS	295 FPS
high	244 FPS	246 FPS
ultra	191 FPS	193 FPS
1440p
low	267 FPS	269 FPS
medium	223 FPS	225 FPS
high	181 FPS	182 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	145 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	170 FPS
medium	142 FPS	142 FPS
high	109 FPS	109 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	96 FPS

Open Core i5-12600K Open Core i7-12700K

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12600K	Core i7-12700K
1080p
low	577 FPS	630 FPS
medium	487 FPS	533 FPS
high	405 FPS	450 FPS
ultra	369 FPS	410 FPS
1440p
low	467 FPS	536 FPS
medium	411 FPS	475 FPS
high	352 FPS	403 FPS
ultra	305 FPS	349 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	312 FPS
medium	249 FPS	280 FPS
high	233 FPS	266 FPS
ultra	206 FPS	234 FPS

Open Core i5-12600K Open Core i7-12700K

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12600K	Core i7-12700K
1080p
low	690 FPS	797 FPS
medium	635 FPS	633 FPS
high	561 FPS	556 FPS
ultra	476 FPS	472 FPS
1440p
low	690 FPS	704 FPS
medium	566 FPS	565 FPS
high	495 FPS	490 FPS
ultra	425 FPS	422 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	510 FPS
medium	426 FPS	425 FPS
high	382 FPS	381 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	321 FPS

Open Core i5-12600K Open Core i7-12700K

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12600K	Core i7-12700K
1080p
low	690 FPS	859 FPS
medium	690 FPS	802 FPS
high	690 FPS	699 FPS
ultra	644 FPS	628 FPS
1440p
low	690 FPS	760 FPS
medium	689 FPS	678 FPS
high	599 FPS	590 FPS
ultra	526 FPS	519 FPS
4K
low	542 FPS	535 FPS
medium	495 FPS	488 FPS
high	444 FPS	437 FPS
ultra	389 FPS	384 FPS

Open Core i5-12600K Open Core i7-12700K

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12600K and Core i7-12700K

Core i5-12600K

The Core i5-12600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 27,586 points. Launch price was $289.

Core i7-12700K

The Core i7-12700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 34,347 points. Launch price was $409.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12600K packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-12700K offers 12 cores / 20 threads — the Core i7-12700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-12600K versus 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). Both are built on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-12600K scores 27,586 against the Core i7-12700K's 34,347 — a 21.8% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600K vs 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K.

Feature	Core i5-12600K	Core i7-12700K
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	12 / 20+20%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
PassMark	27,586	34,347+25%
Cinebench R23 Multi	17,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,472	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,863	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to 4800 memory speed. Both support up to 128 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i5-12600K) and Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K).

Feature	Core i5-12600K	Core i7-12700K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	4800	4800
Max RAM Capacity	128	128
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12600K) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600K targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600K rivals Ryzen 5 5600X; Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i5-12600K	Core i7-12700K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12600K launched at $289 MSRP, while the Core i7-12700K debuted at $409. On MSRP ($289 vs $409), the Core i5-12600K is $120 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12600K delivers 95.5 pts/$ vs 84.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-12700K — making the Core i5-12600K the 12.8% better value option.