Intel Core i5-12600K Alder Lake CPU (2021)
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Product Overview
Intel Core i5-12600K is an unlocked desktop microprocessor based on Intel's 11th-gen Core Alder Lake architecture. Like the i7-12700K and i9-12900K unveiled at the same time, it uses a new-to-x86 "hybrid" architecture that, in this case, combines 6 performance cores with 4 efficiency cores.
This setup is intended to allow for higher efficiency while making the designs of the performance cores simpler. With Intel's move to the Intel 7 (10nm) process, the i5-12600K is able to stay at turbo clock for much longer than its predecessor could. At the same time, Intel is able to do away with the "TDP-down" mode.
Other highlights include supports for DDR5 and PCIe 5, though compatible hardware remains pricey and hard to find.
Those who do not need the integrated UHD 770 graphics (which now supports 8K) may be interested in the i5-12600KF instead: as a non-GPU model, it comes with a marginally lower price tag.
Ratings
What we found**
Neofiliac score 64% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
- 10 cores / 16 threads
- Supports DDR5 memory
- ECC memory
- Has integrated graphics
- PCIe 5.0 support
Cons
What external reviewers found***
External score 77% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
- Great performance on multi-core and multi-threaded workloads
- Excellent battery life
- High-quality build quality
- Top-notch content creation and gaming performance
- Competitive price for a 12th-gen Core i5-12600K
Cons
- Not as powerful as AMD’s Ryzen 5 5600X
- Alder Lake is a bit pricey
- LGA 1700 CPU cooler not included
Price Comparison
Specifications
Connectivity
CPU Socket
FCLGA1700
PCI Express
5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes (Up to 1x16+4, 2x8+4)
Ports
eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4a, HDMI 2.1
Construction
Form Factor
Desktop microprocessor Box
Lithography
Intel 7
Platform
Alder Lake
Dimensions
Size | Depth
37.5 mm
Size | Width
45.0 mm
Function
Graphics
Intel® UHD Graphics 770, 32 execution units, Base 300 MHz, Boost 1.45 GHz, Max 4 displays, DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, OpenCL 3.0
Operating Temperature
Max Tjunction 100°C
Processor | Cores
10 Cores (6 performance cores / 4 efficient cores)
Processor | Threads
16 Threads
Resolution
Max res DP 7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz / Max res HDMI 4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Security
vPro Enterprise, Threat Detection Technology (TDT), Active Management Technology (AMT), Standard Manageability (ISM), One-Click Recovery, Hardware Shield Eligibility, Control-Flow Enforcement Technology, Total Memory Encryption - Multi Key, Total Memor...
Supported Technologies
Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0, Thread Director, Deep Learning Boost (Intel DL Boost), Optane™ Memory Supported, Speed Shift Technology, Hyper-Threading Technology, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology, Thermal Monitoring Technologies, Volume...
Thermal Solution
PCG 2020A
Video
Clear Video HD Technology
Performance
Cache
20 MB Intel® Smart Cache9.5 MB L2
Frequency
Max Turbo: 4.90 GHz(Max P-core: 4.90 GHz / Max E-core: 3.60 GHz) | (Base P-core: 3.70 GHz / Base E-core: 3.70 GHz)
Memory | Capacity
Supports up to 128 GB
Memory | Type
Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s, Max 2 channels, ECC supported, Max bandwidth 76.8 GB/s
Power Consumption
125 W Base / 150 W Turbo
Production
Debut
2021 Q4
Model Name
i5-12600K
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Launch Comparison
Clear List
3rd-Party Review Videos
External Reviews
pcmag[1]
Reviewer score 74%The Intel Core i5-12600K is shockingly good at content creation in many instances. It's awesome...in isolation. The Intel UHD XeLP graphics platform continues to trail AMD's Radeon RX Vega graphics. For PC gamers-constrained creative types, the "Alder Lake" processor punches well above its weight.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Top-notch content creation and gaming performance
- High-quality build quality
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Alder Lake is a bit pricey
- LGA 1700 CPU cooler not included
pcworld[2]
Reviewer score 81%Intel’s 12th-gen Core i5-12600K is the winner no matter what you do. Obviously, you get your most performance on multi-core loads, but it's the winner in almost every single thing we could run on it. Despite that, we think you should spend more time standing in line hoping to buy a faster GPU then pouring over charts.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Great performance on multi-core and multi-threaded workloads
- Competitive price for a 12th-gen Core i5-12600K
Cons
- Not as powerful as AMD’s Ryzen 5 5600X
User Reviews
Comments
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References
- ^ Intel Core i5-12600K Review. [pcmag]. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/intel-core-i5-12600k. 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
- ^ Intel Core i5-12600K review: The new mainstream CPU champ crushes Ryzen. [pcworld]. https://www.pcworld.com/article/549611/intel-core-i5-12600k-review.html. 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
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Scores are not directly comparable across industries.
These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.
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