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Intel Core i5-12600HX vs Intel Core i5-13600HX: Comparison
Core i5-12600HX vs Core i5-13600HX total cores compared
There is no decisive spec gap here. Total cores splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, Core i5-12600HX 12 against Core i5-13600HX 14. Core i5-13600HX also leads on l3 cache, 18 MB on the Core i5-12600HX versus 24 MB on the Core i5-13600HX. Socket is not the same on both, FCBGA1964 on the Core i5-12600HX versus BGA 1744 on the Core i5-13600HX. They differ on release year too, 2022 on the Core i5-12600HX versus 2023 on the Core i5-13600HX. There is a split on igpu as well, Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel Processors on the Core i5-12600HX versus Intel UHD Graphics on the Core i5-13600HX.
Who each one is for
Buy the Core i5-12600HX for gaming laptops and mobile workstations, though it is the wrong buy for thin-and-light laptops and battery-life-focused use. The Core i5-13600HX is the one to take for gaming laptops and mobile workstations, though it is not built for thin-and-light laptops and battery-life-focused use. Our rating of the Core i5-12600HX (8.3/10): the Intel Core i5-12600HX brings desktop-class performance to laptops, aimed at gaming and creator workloads. Our rating of the Core i5-13600HX (8.3/10): the Intel Core i5-13600HX brings desktop-class performance to laptops, aimed at gaming and creator workloads.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Efficiency cores, tdp, integrated graphics, form factor and market segment read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 3 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i5-12600HX and Core i5-13600HX differ on performance cores?
Yes. Performance Cores reads 4 on the Core i5-12600HX versus 6 on the Core i5-13600HX.
Is the SMT Enabled the same on the Core i5-12600HX and Core i5-13600HX?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- Laptop
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- Raptor Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- 2022
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- 2023
TDP
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- 55 W
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- 55 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel Processors
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- Intel UHD Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- Laptop
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- Raptor Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- FCBGA1964
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- BGA 1744
Process Node
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- 10 nm
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- 12
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- 14Best
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- 4
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- 6Best
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- 8
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- 8
Total Threads
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- 16
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- 20Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- 2.5 GHz
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- 2.6 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- 4.60 GHz
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- 4.8 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- 18 MB-25%
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- 24 MBBest
Base Power
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- 55 W
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- 55 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- 157 W
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- 157 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- DDR5 or DDR4
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- DDR5, DDR4
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i5-12600HX
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-13600HX
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12600HX if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose 13600HX if you want the higher L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
Verdict
Intel Core i5-12600HX
8.3 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-12600HX brings desktop-class performance to laptops, aimed at gaming and creator workloads.
Intel Core i5-13600HX
8.3 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-13600HX brings desktop-class performance to laptops, aimed at gaming and creator workloads.