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#136 of 555
Overall rank
Core i5-12600K
10 cores · 16 threads · up to 4.9 GHz on FCLGA1700.
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Cores
10
Threads
16
Boost
4.9 GHz
L3 cache
2 MB
TDP
125W
Socket
FCLGA1700
Performance breakdown
Gaming17
Productivity16
Single-core18
Multi-core42
Power efficiency14
Lab scores
Performance score17
Cores10
Threads16
Boost clock (GHz)4.9 GHz
Estimated gaming FPS
Paired with a high-end GPU. CPU impact is largest at 1080p.
1080p37 fps
1440p30 fps
4K20 fps
Full specifications
Processor & cores
- Architecture
- Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont
- Process node
- Intel 7 nm
- Socket
- FCLGA1700
- Release year
- 2021
- Total cores
- 10
- Threads
- 16
- Integrated graphics
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Clocks & cache
- Base clock
- 3.7 GHz
- Boost clock
- 4.9 GHz
- Multiplier
- 37 (unlocked)
- L1 cache
- 384 KB
- L2 cache
- 2 MB
- L3 cache
- 2 MB
Memory & platform
- Memory support
- DDR4
- Max capacity
- 128 GB
- Channels
- 2
- Max bandwidth
- 76.805 GB/s
- Base power (TDP)
- 125W
- Max temperature
- 100°C
- PCIe
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0
- Launch price
- $289
Technologies
- Instruction sets
- SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
- Extensions
- AES-NI, AVX, VT-x, VT-d, TXT
Community Feedback
What Owners Say
Owners love the strong gaming performance for the price. The usual gripe is it runs hot and needs a decent cooler, not the stock one.
Pros
- Beats older i7s in games
- Runs cool with a good cooler
- Handles multitasking without stutter
- Great value for a new build
Cons
- Fan included is mediocre
- Needs a Z690 board for overclocking
- High power draw under full load
Verdict
Our verdict on the Core i5-12600K
The i5-12600K is a mid-range Alder Lake CPU with a hybrid core design that outperforms its price class in gaming.
Get it if you want a fast mid-range chip that handles gaming and daily tasks without breaking the bank. Skip it if you need top-tier multi-core work or plan to upgrade soon, since newer sockets leave it stuck.
Buy it if…
- You need fast single-core performance for games
- You multitask hard and want hybrid core efficiency
- You're building a midrange rig on a budget
Leaderboard
Its place in the overall top
4.1
232 votes
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