GuidesComparisonsi7-12700K Vs i5-13600K

i7-12700K Vs i5-13600K [Fully Tested In 2024]

My Core i7-12700K vs. Core i5-13600K guide is here to help you get the best processor for your needs.

Intel’s Raptor Lake CPUs promise a great performance boost over the Alder Lake CPUs despite using the same processing node. In this comparison, I’ll check the performance of Core i7-12700K vs Core i5-13600K to determine if the stated claim is true.

Key Takeaways

  • The Core i5-13600K outperformed the Core i7-12700K by 5.8% in my 1440p gaming benchmarks.
  • Temperatures-wise, I found that the Core i7-12700K showed better thermal skills, running 4.7% cooler than the Core i5-13600K.
  • Coming to MSRP, Intel launched the Core i5-13600K with a price tag of $319 and the Core i7-12700K for $409.

Comparison Table

CPUIntel Core i7-12700KIntel Core i5-13600K
ArchitectureHybrid Alder LakeHybrid Raptor Core
CodenameAlder LakeRaptor Lake
CPU SocketLGA1700LGA1700
Unlocked for OverclockingYesYes
Integrated GraphicsIntel UHD 770Intel UHD 770
Max. Operating Temperature100°C100°C
Manufacturing ProcessIntel 7 (10nm)Intel 7 (10nm)
PCIe VersionGen 4Gen 5
Release DateNov 4th, 2021Sept 27th, 2022
MSRP$409$319
Best CPU CoolersBest CPU Coolers for Core i7-12700KBest CPU Coolers for Core i5-13600K
Best MotherboardsBest Motherboards for Core i7-12700KBest Motherboards for Core i5-13600K
Best MotherboardsBest Memory for Core i7-12700KBest Memory for Core i5-13600K
Best Graphics Cards-Best GPUs for Core i5-13600K

Architectural Differences

  1. Core/Thread Counts: The i7-12700K sports a total of 12 cores, including eight P-cores and four E-cores. In contrast, the i5-13600K has the same number of P-cores but increases the E-core count to six, totalling 14. As for the number of threads, the Core i5-13600K has 20 compared to 24 of the Core i7-12700K.
  2. Clock SpeedsMoving on to the base frequencies, the i7-12700K clocks 3.6GHz (P-cores) and 2.7GHz (E-cores), while the i5-13600K clocks 3.5GHz (E-cores) and 2.6GHz (P-cores). Regarding boost frequencies, the i7-12700K boosts up to 5GHz (P-cores) and 3.8GHz (E-cores), while the i5-13600K can be pushed to 5.1GHz and 3.9GHz, respectively.
  3. Memory Support: These processors support both DDR4 and DDR5 memories. The Core i5-13600K improves the DDR5 memory processing speed to 5600 MT/s, while the Core i7-12700K is limited to 4800 MT/s.
  4. TDPBoth CPUs have a 125-watt base TDP. But on turbo, the i5-13600K pushes up to 181 watts, contrary to the 190 watts of the i7-12700K.

Gaming Benchmarks

A not-so-significant difference in specifications, but how does it impact the gaming performance? I’ll compare the two processors’ performance in six games at 1440P resolution to find out. All games have been tested at Ultra or equivalent preset.

Test Bench

Here’s what my test bench looks like.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

  • Starting my benchmarks with Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, the i7-12700K maintained 75 FPS, while the i5-13600K outperformed it by 13.3%, delivering 85 FPS.
  • Regarding the %1 low FPS, the Core i7-12700K racked up 61 FPS compared to the Core i5-13600K’s score of 63 FPS.
  • Temperatures-wise, I observed that both the Core i5-13600K and i7-12700K kept cool at 61°C and 60°C, respectively.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440P
Cyberpunk 2077 (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • In my Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay, the competition was fierce. Core i7-12700K scored 86 FPS on average, just one frame behind the Core i5-13600K at 87 FPS.
  • Analyzing the %1 low FPS scores, I saw that the Core i7-12700K managed 63 FPS, leading the Core i5-13600K’s score of 57 FPS.
  • In Cyberpunk 2077, the i5-13600K ran at 63°C, while the i7-12700K reached 65°C, making it 2 degrees hotter.

God Of War

God of War at 1440P
God of War (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • The i7-12700K consistently delivered 99 FPS, slightly outperforming the Core i5-13600K’s 96 FPS in my God of War test at 1440p resolution.
  • The %1 low FPS figures I recorded in this benchmark are 85 FPS for Core i7-12700K and 82 FPS for Core i5-13600K.
  • I analyzed that the Core i5-13600K maintained a cool 54°C, while the i7-12700K reached 56°C, running 2 degrees warmer. 

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 at 1440P
Red Dead Redemption 2 (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • In my next test game, Red Dead Redemption 2, the Core i7-12700K clocked 101 FPS, but the Core i5-13600K triumphed with an impressive 117 FPS, 16.8% higher.
  • As for the %1 low FPS, the Core i5-13600K scored 89 FPS according to my test – keeping ahead by 8.5%.
  • While tackling this game, the Core i5-13600K maintained a cool 59°C, but the i7-12700K ran even cooler at 52°C.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn at 1440P
Horizon Zero Dawn (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • During my Horizon Zero Dawn gaming test, the Core i7-12700K offered an average FPS of 131, outshining the Core i5-13600K by 2.3%, which scored 128 FPS.
  • The Core i7-12700K outclasses its Raptor Lake competitor in terms of the %1 low score by producing 97 FPS compared to 92 FPS for the Core i5-13600K.
  • In this gameplay, the Core i5-13600K ran hotter at 71°C, while the i7-12700K kept its cool at 60°C.

Watch Dogs Legion

Watch Dogs: Legion at 1440P
Watch Dogs: Legion (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • Watch Dogs: Legion was the last game I tested, and here, the Core i5-13600K excelled with almost 12% better average FPS, reaching 101 FPS, compared to the Core i7-12700K (89 FPS).
  • Concerning the %1 low FPS score, the Core i7-12700K took the cake with 68 FPS, while the Core i5-13600K delivered only 66 FPS.
  • The Core i5-13600K ran at 61°C during this gameplay while the i7-12700K remained at 59°C.

Overall Gaming Performance

Average FPS and %1 low FPS across 6 games at 1440P
Overall 1440P gaming performance (Image by Tech4Gamers)

Across my gaming benchmarks, the Core i7-12700K provided an average of 96.8 FPS, while the Core i5-13600K delivered 102.5 average FPS. Accounting for these figures, the Core i5-13600K is about 5.8% faster than the Core i7-12700K.

I was somewhat surprised as the Core i7-12700K (76 vs 74.8) scored better in terms of the %1 low FPS. The difference is only 1.6%, though.

Thermal Performance

Thermal performance in 1440P gaming
Thermal performance (Image by Tech4Gamers)

During my gaming session, the average temperature of Core i7-12700K was 58.7°C in contrast with 61.5°C of the Core i5-13600K. So, the Core i5-13600K ran about 4.7% warmer across my 1440p gaming tests, which is quite surprising.

Price And Availability

Fortunately, both CPUs are available cheaper than their launch MSRP (as of November 2023). The Core i7-12700K can be yours for $300 at Amazon, while the i5-13600K would set you back about $270 at NewEgg. The current prices of these CPUs make the Core i5-13600K about 10.0% cheaper than the Core i7-12700K. Moreover, both processors are easily available in the market.

Core i7-12700K Vs Core i5-13600K: Which Processor Do I Recommend?

You’ve reached the end of the Core i7-12700K Vs Core i5-13600K, so it’s time for me to wrap up and determine the better CPU for you.

As I found out, the Core i5-13600K is cheaper than the Core i7-12700K, and it performed marginally better. Moreover, it supports faster DDR5 memory, has more cores, CPU PCIe 5.0 lanes, and a lower boost TDP rating.

Meanwhile, the only win of the Core i7-12700K was its thermal stability, as it maintained lower temperatures on average. Hence, I recommend the Core i5-13600K over the Core i7-12700K

Pros And Cons

Intel Core i7-12700KIntel Core i5-13600K
ProsConsProsCons
Better thermal performanceRelatively mediocre value5.1 GHz boost clockBeaten in thermal performance
5.0 GHz boost clockBeaten in gaming performanceImproved DDR5 memory speedHigh power draw

Common Questions Answered

Which CPU, the core i7-12700K or core i5-13600K, performs better for cinematography and image manipulation?

The Intel core i5-13600K performs better in videography and photo editing. Its Adobe Photoshop scores are higher than those of core i7-12700K.

Does Intel i7-12700K provide better gaming performance better than the core i5-13600K?

The gaming performance of the Intel core i5-13600K is superior. However, the core i7-12700K’s performance is not much different compared to core i5-13600K.

Which CPU offers a better value for money, core i7-12700K or core i5-13600K?

The Intel core i5-13600K provides better bang for the buck. Because its price is less than the core i7-12700K and it also has improved performance, Intel i5-13600K is a more suitable option.


More From Core i7-12700K:

More From Core i5-13600K:

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