Core i5-12600K vs Core i9-12900K: specs and benchmark comparison
AIntel · Alder Lake
Intel Core i5-12600K
- 10 cores / 16 threads
- up to 4.9 GHz
- LGA1700
2021 · $289 at launch
BIntel · Alder Lake
Intel Core i9-12900K
- 16 cores / 24 threads
- up to 5.2 GHz
- LGA1700
2021 · $589 at launch
Short verdict
Intel Core i9-12900K leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIMulti-thread performance
B +67%Intel Core i9-12900K leads in this scenario (up to 67% in comparable benchmarks).
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Core i5-12600K is better1
Launch price $300 lower$289 vs $589
Where Core i9-12900K is better5
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0 58.6% faster356 samples/min vs 225 samples/min
Cores 6 more16 (8P + 8E) vs 10 (6P + 4E)
Threads 8 more24 vs 16
L2 cache 4.5 MB more14 MB vs 9.5 MB
L3 cache 10 MB more30 MB vs 20 MB
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions.
- B ahead by 58.6%
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Core i5-12600K224.6 samples/minCore i9-12900K356.2 samples/minPosition among tested models (89)
A · 225B · 3560200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. Intel Core i9-12900K is ahead by 58.6% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · Intel Core i5-12600K
224.6 samples/min · community measurement, sample 42 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 42 submissions (2 outliers excluded), interquartile range 212.87–251.04; submissions 2025-07-23 to 2026-03-07; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · Intel Core i9-12900K
356.2 samples/min · community measurement, sample 65 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 65 submissions (3 outliers excluded), interquartile range 339–381.03; submissions 2025-07-24 to 2026-03-10; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Other comparable benchmarks (11)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 209.3 | 349.6 | B +67% |
| Blender Benchmark 3.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 234.8 | 368 | B +56.7% |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 237.5 | 373.7 | B +57.4% |
| Blender Benchmark 3.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 253.3 | 392.4 | B +54.9% |
| Blender Benchmark 3.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 234.6 | 370 | B +57.7% |
| Blender Benchmark 3.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 235.3 | 361 | B +53.4% |
| Blender Benchmark 3.6.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 227.2 | 345.6 | B +52.1% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 219.5 | 346.7 | B +57.9% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 225.6 | 342.2 | B +51.7% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 213.6 | 331.4 | B +55.2% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 222.9 | 334.6 | B +50.1% |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Reference results (8)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 172 | 375.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 226.9 | 341.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.0.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 241.5 | 390.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.1.2CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 253.2 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 259.9 | 362.5 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 241.4 | 364.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 346.9 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 5.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 364.4 | no pair |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
| Specification | A · Core i5-12600K | B · Core i9-12900K | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 10 (6P + 4E) | 16 (8P + 8E) | B: 6 more |
| Threads | 16 | 24 | B: 8 more |
| Base clockFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown. | 3.7 GHz | 3.2 GHz | A: 0.5 GHz more |
| Max clock (Boost/Turbo) | 4.9 GHz | 5.2 GHz | B: 0.3 GHz more |
| Cache | |||
| L2 cache | 9.5 MB | 14 MB | B: 4.5 MB more |
| L3 cache | 20 MB | 30 MB | B: 10 MB more |
| Platform | |||
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1700 | equal |
| Process node | Intel 7 | Intel 7 | equal |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 | equal |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 | equal |
| Official memory speedFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown. | 4,800 MT/s | 4,800 MT/s | equal |
| Max memory capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB | equal |
| PCI Express | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes | equal |
| Integrated graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | equal |
| Power | |||
| Processor Base Power (Intel) | 125 W | 125 W | equal |
| Maximum Turbo Power (Intel) | 150 W | 241 W | B: 91 W higher |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A10 (6P + 4E)
B16 (8P + 8E)
B: 6 moreCores of different types may differ in performance.
Threads
A16
B24
B: 8 moreBase clock
A3.7 GHz
B3.2 GHz
A: 0.5 GHz moreFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown.
Max clock (Boost/Turbo)
A4.9 GHz
B5.2 GHz
B: 0.3 GHz more
Cache
L2 cache
A9.5 MB
B14 MB
B: 4.5 MB moreL3 cache
A20 MB
B30 MB
B: 10 MB more
Platform
Socket
ALGA1700
BLGA1700
equalProcess node
AIntel 7
BIntel 7
equal
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
ADDR4, DDR5
BDDR4, DDR5
equalMemory channels
A2
B2
equalOfficial memory speed
A4,800 MT/s
B4,800 MT/s
equalFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown.
Max memory capacity
A128 GB
B128 GB
equalPCI Express
APCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes
BPCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes
equalIntegrated graphics
AIntel UHD Graphics 770
BIntel UHD Graphics 770
equal
Power
Processor Base Power (Intel)
A125 W
B125 W
equalMaximum Turbo Power (Intel)
A150 W
B241 W
B: 91 W higher
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Platform compatibility
Socket and BIOS support Needs checking
Both models use LGA1700, but support on a specific motherboard depends on the chipset and BIOS version. Check the board maker’s CPU support list.
Memory Needs checking
Both controllers support DDR4/DDR5. The motherboard determines the memory type, so check its specification.
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i9-12900K fit the same motherboard?
Both CPUs use the LGA1700 socket. Support on a specific board depends on the chipset and BIOS version, so check the board maker’s CPU support list.
How many cores and threads do Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i9-12900K have?
Intel Core i5-12600K: 10 cores / 16 threads. Intel Core i9-12900K: 16 cores / 24 threads (manufacturer data).
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Intel Core i5-12600K: Intel UHD Graphics 770. Intel Core i9-12900K: Intel UHD Graphics 770.
Which is faster: Intel Core i5-12600K or Intel Core i9-12900K?
Intel Core i9-12900K leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
Data sources (3)
- Intel — specifications of Intel Core i5-12600K, specifications of Intel Core i9-12900Kchecked November 7, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.0.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.6.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.1.2checked November 14, 2026
- Wikipedia (English) — release date and launch pricechecked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.