Core i5-7600KvsCore i5-12400
The Core i5-12400 is a modern six-core chip for anyone building a new PC, while the Core i5-7600K is an older quad-core for those sticking with an older motherboard.
Core i5-7600K
Kaby Lake · 14 nm · 2017
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Core i5-12400
Alder Lake-S · Intel 7 nm · 2022
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Overall Performance Score
A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.
Side-by-Side Specs
Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.
Which should you buy?
The Core i5-12400 wins overall as it's a much faster and more modern processor for demanding tasks.
For budget buyers, the Core i5-12400 offers far better performance per dollar with more cores and efficiency than the older i5-7600K.
The Core i5-7600K is the right choice if you need a cheap drop-in upgrade for an existing LGA1151 motherboard.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i5-7600K better than the Core i5-12400?
Overall the Core i5-12400 is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (11 vs 4 out of 100), so it leads the Core i5-7600K in most workloads.
How much faster is the Core i5-12400 than the Core i5-7600K?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Core i5-12400 is roughly 175% faster than the Core i5-7600K overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i5-7600K or the Core i5-12400?
If you want the most performance, pick the Core i5-12400. If the Core i5-7600K is meaningfully cheaper where you shop, it can be the better value for similar real-world results — check current prices and the full spec comparison above before deciding.