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Intel Core i5-12600KF vs Intel Core i7-12700F: Comparison
What is the difference between Core i5-12600KF and Core i7-12700F?
These two are close on paper, and total cores is the only measure that separates them at all: Core i5-12600KF 10 against Core i7-12700F 12. Core i7-12700F also leads on l3 cache, 20 MB on the Core i5-12600KF versus 25 MB on the Core i7-12700F. Tdp is not the same on both, 125 W on the Core i5-12600KF versus 65 W on the Core i7-12700F. Add l2 cache to that, 9.5 MB on the Core i5-12600KF versus 12 MB on the Core i7-12700F, and the pattern holds.
Which should you buy, Core i5-12600KF or Core i7-12700F?
The Core i5-12600KF is the one to take for enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking with discrete GPU, though it is the wrong buy for systems without a discrete GPU and fanless designs. Buy the Core i7-12700F for desktop gaming with discrete GPU and value desktop builds, though it is not the pick for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the 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. Our rating of the Core i7-12700F (8.1/10): the Intel Core i7-12700F is a graphics-less desktop chip, a good value pick for builds already using a discrete GPU.
What Core i5-12600KF and Core i7-12700F have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: efficiency cores, e-core boost clock, integrated graphics, socket and socket status are identical here. They match on 14 further specifications as well.
Core i5-12600KF vs Core i7-12700F price
The Core i7-12700F asks 19% more, $314 against $264 for the Core i5-12600KF.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i5-12600KF and Core i7-12700F differ on performance cores?
Yes. Performance Cores reads 6 on the Core i5-12600KF versus 8 on the Core i7-12700F.
Is the Product Line the same on the Core i5-12600KF and Core i7-12700F?
It is. Both are listed at Core, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Which is cheaper, Core i5-12600KF or Core i7-12700F?
The Core i7-12700F asks 19% more, $314 against $264 for the Core i5-12600KF.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Core
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Core
Form Factor
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Desktop
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Desktop
Model Number
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- i5-12600KF
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- i7-12700F
Codename
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 2021
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 2022
TDP
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 125 W
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 65 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- None
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- None
Market Segment
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Desktop
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Alder Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- FCLGA1700
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Mature
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Mature
Process Node
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 10
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 12Best
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 6
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 8Best
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 4
Total Threads
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 16
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 20Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Yes
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 3.7 GHz
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 2.1 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4.9 GHz
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 4.8 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 2.8 GHz
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 1.6 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 3.6 GHz
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 3.6 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Yes
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- No
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 9.5 MB-21%
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 12 MBBest
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 20 MB-20%
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 25 MBBest
Base Power
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 125 W
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 65 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 150 W
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 180 W
Bundled Cooler
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- None
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Intel Laminar RM1
Memory Type
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- DDR5, DDR4
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- DDR5, DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4800 MT/s
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 2
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- No
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- No
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 20
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 20
Launch MSRP
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- $264
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- $314
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12600KF if you want the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (20 vs 20).
Choose 12700F if you want the higher L2 cache (12 MB vs 9.5 MB) and the higher L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Intel Core i7-12700F |
|---|---|---|
| Newegg | $264.00 View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy | |
| Amazon | View on Amazon | $314.00 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 i5-12600KF
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.
Intel Core i7-12700F
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i7-12700F is a graphics-less desktop chip, a good value pick for builds already using a discrete GPU.