Intel Core i7-12700 vs Intel Core i5-12600K
The Intel Core i7-12700 is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 1%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | Intel Core i7-12700 | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 80/100 | 79/100 |
| Tier | A | A |
| Manufacturer | Intel | Intel |
| Cores | 12 | 10 |
| Threads | 20 | 16 |
| Base clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.9 GHz | 4.9 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 65 W | 125 W |
| Release year | 2022 | 2021 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the Intel Core i7-12700 is the better buy — it holds a 1% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The Intel Core i7-12700 has more cores (12 vs 10), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The Intel Core i7-12700 runs 60W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.