What CPU is equivalent to Core i5 12600K?

What CPU is equivalent to Core i5 12600K? Let's find out

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The Intel core i5-12600K was the first CPU by the company to feature a hybrid core architecture. It’s essentially a standard 6-core, 12-thread processor, but with 4 smaller efficiency cores mixed in. Today, we’ll discuss what CPU is equivalent to Core i5 12600K.

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Even though the i5-12600K is a solid processor with a ton of value, it’s not unlikely to find an option that offers similar performance at a lower price point in the latest CPU releases. Let’s see whether we have something like that available today. 

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Intel Core i5-12600K specifications

Let’s take a look at the Core i5-12600K’s specs first, so we have a better idea of what we’re working with:

• Cores: 6 P.cores / 4 E.cores 
• Threads: 16
• Base clock frequency: P.cores 3.7 GHz / E.cores 2.8 GHz
• Boost clock frequency: P.cores 4.9 GHz / E.cores 3.6 GHz
• L3 cache: 20MB
• TDP: 125 W default / 150 W boost.
• iGPU: Intel UHD graphics 770

With a thread count of 16, the 12600K offers very respectable multicore performance. The 4.9GHz boost clock makes the CPU a very competent gaming processor as well. But perhaps the best thing about the 12600K was its value. It was released at an MSRP of just over $300. Today, you can find it for somewhat cheaper, at about $250. 

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What CPU is equivalent to the Core i5-12600K?

The processor that most closely resembles the performance delivered by the Core i5-12600K is the Ryzen 5 7600X. 

Ryzen 5 7600X

The 7600X is the first of several Zen 4 processors released by AMD last year. The Ryzen 5 7600X was the entry-level Zen 4 option at the time, and based on its specs, it’s clear that AMD intends to target gamers exclusively with this processor. The 7600X is a gaming powerhouse.

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

Cores

6

Threads

12

Base speed

4.7GHz

Boost speed

5.3GHz

Cache

L3 32MB

Socket

AM5

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Undoubtedly, the Ryzen 5 7600X processor falls short in comparison to the recent Core i5 processors when evaluated side-by-side.

Nonetheless, as mentioned previously, AMD has aimed to attract the gaming community with this CPU, and for gaming purposes, a multitude of threads are not a crucial factor for optimum performance. In fact, 12 threads are more than sufficient for an efficient gaming CPU.

What genuinely sets the 7600X apart and makes it highly competitive is its exceptional boost clock of 5.3GHz, which is the best-in-class. Additionally, when combined with the 14% instructions per cycle (IPC) enhancement applied to all Zen 4 processors by AMD, the Ryzen 5 7600X stands out with its superior single-core performance.

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Ryzen 5 7600X single-core performance

In terms of single-core performance exclusively, the processor is able to compete with the likes of the 7700X and 7900X, which is punching way above its weight. 

When compared to the i5-12600K, the 7600X’s 400MHz higher boost clock translates to noticeably more in-game FPS, especially with a good GPU pairing. 

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Ryzen 5 7600X multi-core performance

If we talk about multicore performance, the i5-12600K wins by a slight margin due to its 4 extra physical threads. The 7600X will be a tad bit slower at productivity work, but again, the processor wasn’t designed with this use case in mind in the first place. 

Overall, both processors offer performance that is very much in the same ballpark as each other, with the 12600K leading in multicore and the 7600X in single-core performance.