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Intel Core i5-12490F vs Intel Core i5-12600K: Comparison
Core i5-12490F vs Core i5-12600K total cores compared
Expect a near tie. The closest thing to a difference is total cores, Core i5-12490F 6 against Core i5-12600K 10. There is a split on p-core base clock as well, 3.0 GHz on the Core i5-12490F versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-12600K. They differ on tdp too, 65 W on the Core i5-12490F versus 125 W on the Core i5-12600K. They differ on integrated graphics too, No on the Core i5-12490F versus Yes on the Core i5-12600K. Core i5-12600K also leads on l2 cache, 7.5 MB on the Core i5-12490F versus 9.5 MB on the Core i5-12600K. Release year is not the same on both, 2022 on the Core i5-12490F versus 2021 on the Core i5-12600K.
Who each one is for
Buy the Core i5-12490F for desktop gaming with a discrete GPU and budget-conscious builds, though it is not built for systems without a discrete GPU and HTPCs needing video output. The Core i5-12600K suits enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is the wrong buy for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Core i5-12490F (7.4/10): the Intel Core i5-12490F trims integrated graphics for a lower price, aimed at builds already running a discrete GPU. Our rating of the Core i5-12600K (7.9/10): the Intel Core i5-12600K is an unlocked overclockable chip, well suited to enthusiast gaming and productivity builds.
What Core i5-12490F and Core i5-12600K have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: performance cores, l3 cache, socket, socket status and product line are identical here. They match on 11 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i5-12490F and Core i5-12600K differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 0 on the Core i5-12490F versus 4 on the Core i5-12600K.
Is the Form Factor the same on the Core i5-12490F and Core i5-12600K?
It is. Both are listed at Desktop, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- Core
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Core
Form Factor
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Desktop
Model Number
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- i5-12490F
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- i5-12600K
Codename
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 2022
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 2021
TDP
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 65 W
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 125 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- None
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Alder Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- FCLGA1700
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- Mature
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Mature
Process Node
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 6
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 10Best
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 6
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 6
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 0
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 4Best
Total Threads
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 12
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 16Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 3.0 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 3.7 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 4.6 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 4.9 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- No
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Yes
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 7.5 MB-21%
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 9.5 MBBest
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 20 MB
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 20 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 65 W
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 117 W
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 150 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- DDR5, DDR4
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- DDR5, DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 4800 MT/s
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 2
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- No
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Yes
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- No
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 20
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 20
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- Tray OEM
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12490F if you want the higher L3 cache (20 MB vs 20 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (20 vs 20).
Choose 12600K if you want the higher L2 cache (9.5 MB vs 7.5 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core i5-12490F | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Best Buy | $289.00 View on Best Buy | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | |
| Amazon | View on Amazon |
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
Intel Core i5-12490F
7.4 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-12490F trims integrated graphics for a lower price, aimed at builds already running a discrete GPU.
Intel Core i5-12600K
7.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-12600K is an unlocked overclockable chip, well suited to enthusiast gaming and productivity builds.