Skip to content
CPU VERSUS — home
Intel vs Intel

Core i5-12600K vs Core i9-12900K: Which is Better?

Nov 2021 Alder Lake vs Nov 2021 Alder Lake

The verdict

Core i9-12900K wins

Core i9-12900K comes out ahead of Core i5-12600K on productivity, while the rest of the picture is more nuanced. Core i9-12900K is 38.4% faster than Core i5-12600K in multi-core productivity workloads. Performance-per-dollar is comparable. For most builders, Core i9-12900K is the more compelling pick across both gaming and productivity workloads.

Dimension-by-dimension

Tune this comparison to your own priorities

Adjust gaming, productivity, value, and efficiency weights and watch the verdict recompute live.

Open in interactive tool →

Specifications

Spec Core i5-12600K Core i9-12900K
Cores 10 16
Threads 16 24
Boost clock 4.9 GHz 5.2 GHz
Base clock 3.7 GHz 3.2 GHz
TDP 125 W 125 W
L2 cache 9.5 MB 14 MB
L3 cache 20 MB 30 MB
MSRP $289 $589
Process node Intel 7 Intel 7
Socket LGA1700 LGA1700
Memory DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Launched Nov 2021 Nov 2021

Benchmarks

BenchmarkCore i5-12600KCore i9-12900K
  • Multi-coreCinebench 2024· Cinebench 2024 nT
    −49.3%
    Core i5-12600K
    919
    Core i9-12900K
    1,812
  • Single-coreCinebench 2024· Cinebench 2024 1T
    −8.4%
    Core i5-12600K
    109
    Core i9-12900K
    119
  • Multi-coreGeekbench 6
    −32.5%
    Core i5-12600K
    12,318
    Core i9-12900K
    18,256
  • Single-coreGeekbench 6
    −12.0%
    Core i5-12600K
    2,412
    Core i9-12900K
    2,742

Bars are normalized to the highest score in our catalog for each metric. Hover any row for the source attribution.

Price analysis

Core i5-12600K MSRP
$289
Difference
−$300

Core i9-12900K costs more.

Core i9-12900K MSRP
$589

Frequently asked

Is the Core i5-12600K better than the Core i9-12900K?
Core i9-12900K comes out ahead in our weighted scoring under default priorities (50% gaming, 50% productivity, 25% value, 25% efficiency). Use the comparison tool to weight by your own workload mix.
Which is better for gaming, the Core i5-12600K or the Core i9-12900K?
Core i9-12900K leads in gaming workloads by 10.2% over Core i5-12600K.
Which is faster for productivity, the Core i5-12600K or the Core i9-12900K?
Core i9-12900K is 38.4% faster than Core i5-12600K in multi-core productivity workloads.
What is the price difference between the Core i5-12600K and the Core i9-12900K?
The Core i9-12900K launched at $589, $300 more than the Core i5-12600K at $289.

Related comparisons