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AMD Ryzen 5 7600 vs Intel Core i5-12600KF: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 5 7600 vs Intel Core i5-12600KF: the l3 cache difference
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 32 MB against Intel Core i5-12600KF 20 MB, which puts AMD Ryzen 5 7600 38% ahead. The benchmark result agrees. Blender Cycles (CPU) puts Intel Core i5-12600KF 27% ahead, 272 against 198 over 74 runs. Intel Core i5-12600KF also leads on l2 cache, 6 MB on the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 versus 9.5 MB on the Intel Core i5-12600KF.
Who each one is for
The AMD Ryzen 5 7600 suits mainstream desktops and everyday productivity, though it is the wrong buy for competitive gaming rigs and heavy content creation. Buy the Intel Core i5-12600KF for enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking with discrete GPU, though it is not built for systems without a discrete GPU and fanless designs. Our rating of the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 (7.9/10): the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is a well-rounded mainstream desktop chip that covers everyday computing and light gaming without a premium price tag. Our rating of the Intel Core i5-12600KF (7.8/10): the Intel Core i5-12600KF is an unlocked, GPU-less chip aimed at enthusiasts already running a discrete graphics card.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 5 7600 or Intel Core i5-12600KF?
At the last price check the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 was $229 and the Intel Core i5-12600KF $264, a 15% premium.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, performance cores, form factor, market segment, smt enabled and memory channels included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 2 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 and Intel Core i5-12600KF differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 6 on the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 versus 10 on the Intel Core i5-12600KF.
Is the Max Memory Capacity the same on the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 and Intel Core i5-12600KF?
It is. Both are listed at 128 GB, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- Ryzen 5
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Core
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 7600
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- i5-12600KF
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- Raphael
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 2023
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 2021
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 65 W
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- None
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- Zen 4 (7000 series)
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- AM5
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- Current
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 5 nm
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 6
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 10Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 6
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 6
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 0
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 12
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 16Best
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 3.8 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 3.7 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 5.1 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4.9 GHz
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 6 MB-37%
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 9.5 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 32 MBBest
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 20 MB-37%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 65 W
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 88 W
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 150 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- DDR5
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- DDR5, DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 5200 MT/sBest
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 2
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- No
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 5.0
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 24
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 20-17%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- $229
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- $264
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- true
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- 198-27%
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 272Best
Blender 4.5, Blender Open Data (CC0). Median of monster + junkshop + classroom, combined samples/min.
Renders a 3D scene using every core. Shows speed for 3D and rendering work, not gaming.
Which one should you pick?
Choose 7600 if you want the higher L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (24 vs 20).
Choose 12600KF if you want the higher L2 cache (9.5 MB vs 6 MB) and the higher blender cycles (CPU) (272 vs 198).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 5 7600 | Intel Core i5-12600KF |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $229.00 View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | $264.00 View on Newegg |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy | View on Best Buy |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
7.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is a well-rounded mainstream desktop chip that covers everyday computing and light gaming without a premium price tag.
Intel Core i5-12600KF
7.8 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-12600KF is an unlocked, GPU-less chip aimed at enthusiasts already running a discrete graphics card.