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CPU comparison

Intel Core i5-13600K vs Intel Core i7-12700K

Benchmark comparison and full specifications, with the measured difference and a clear winner for gaming, office work, daily use and content creation.

ACheck Price on AmazonIntel Core i5-13600KBCheck Price on AmazonIntel Core i7-12700K

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

APart A

Intel

Core i5-13600K

  • Blender render score 315 samples/min
  • Cores 14
  • Max boost clock 5.1 GHz
VS

BPart B

Intel

Core i7-12700K

  • Blender render score 301 samples/min
  • Cores 12
  • Max boost clock 5.0 GHz
Compare other parts

01 · Performance profile

How they score

Scores out of 100 for each way you might use a processor. The chart shows where both parts rank among all 667 CPUs in our database.

Measured performance

Intel Core i5-13600K is 5% faster in the Blender benchmark

AIntel Core i5-13600K315

Median of 7 submissions

BIntel Core i7-12700K301

Median of 19 submissions

Blender Benchmark render score (samples per minute, higher is faster), the median of community-submitted results from Blender Open Data.

A
B
Lowest: 2Average: 22Highest: 79

Gaming

A55%Good
B51%Fair

Better pick: Core i5-13600K · Cores: 14 vs 12

Office Work

A69%Good
B65%Good

Better pick: Core i5-13600K · Cores: 14 vs 12

Daily Use

A62%Good
B59%Good

Too close to call

Content Creation

A50%Fair
B49%Fair

Too close to call

02 · Verdict

Too close to call

Both parts score within a few points. Choose on price, availability and the use case that matters most to you.

AIntel Core i5-13600K

59/100

BIntel Core i7-12700K

56/100

AIntel Core i5-13600K

Advantages

  • Cores 14 vs 12 (17% higher)
  • Blender render score 315 samples/min vs 301 samples/min (5% higher)
  • Max boost clock 5.1 GHz vs 5.0 GHz (2% higher)

Disadvantages

  • L3 cache 24 MB vs 25 MB (4% lower)
  • Base clock 3.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz (3% lower)

BIntel Core i7-12700K

Advantages

  • L3 cache 25 MB vs 24 MB (4% higher)
  • Base clock 3.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz (3% higher)

Disadvantages

  • Cores 12 vs 14 (14% lower)
  • Blender render score 301 samples/min vs 315 samples/min (4% lower)
  • Max boost clock 5.0 GHz vs 5.1 GHz (2% lower)

03 · Full comparison

Side-by-side specifications

SpecificationAIntel Core i5-13600KBIntel Core i7-12700K
Measured performance
Blender render scoreMedian of community-submitted Blender Benchmark results (Blender Open Data). Higher is faster.315 samples/min Better +5%301 samples/min
Benchmark submissionsHow many results the median is based on. Small numbers are less reliable.719
Cores & clocks
Cores14 Better +17%12
Efficiency (E) cores84
Threads2020
Base clock3.5 GHz3.6 GHz Better +3%
Max boost clock5.1 GHz Better +2%5.0 GHz
Memory & cache
L3 cache24 MB25 MB Better +4%
Memory supportDDR4 / DDR5DDR4 / DDR5
Power
TDP / base power125 W125 W
Features
Integrated graphicsYesYes
Platform
ArchitectureRaptor LakeAlder Lake
SocketLGA1700LGA1700
Manufacturing processIntel 7Intel 7
Release year20222021
Launch price$319$409

Ready to buy?

Prices change daily. Check the current price of each part.

ACheck Price on Amazon: Core i5-13600KBCheck Price on Amazon: Core i7-12700K

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

Intel Core i5-13600K vs Intel Core i7-12700K at a glance

This page compares the Intel Core i5-13600K and the Intel Core i7-12700K using published specifications and real measured benchmark results. In the Blender Benchmark, Intel Core i5-13600K posts a median render score of 315 against 301 for Intel Core i7-12700K, making it 5% faster. The medians are based on 7 and 19 community submissions.

Intel Core i5-13600K: 14 cores, 20 threads, 5.1 GHz max boost clock, 125 W tdp / base power, released in 2022, launched at $319. Intel Core i7-12700K: 12 cores, 20 threads, 5.0 GHz max boost clock, 125 W tdp / base power, released in 2021, launched at $409.

Our overall scores are 59 for Core i5-13600K and 56 for Core i7-12700K out of 100. By use case, the better pick is, for gaming: Core i5-13600K; for office work: Core i5-13600K; for daily use: too close to call; for content creation: too close to call. Blender measures rendering rather than game frame rates, so treat the gaming result as a guide built from render performance and specifications.

Core i5-13600K vs Core i7-12700K FAQ

Which is faster, the Core i5-13600K or the Core i7-12700K?

In the Blender Benchmark, Intel Core i5-13600K posts a median render score of 315 against 301 for Intel Core i7-12700K, making it 5% faster. The medians are based on 7 and 19 community submissions.

Which uses more power, the Core i5-13600K or the Core i7-12700K?

Both are rated at 125 W.

How much did the Core i5-13600K and the Core i7-12700K cost at launch?

The Intel Core i5-13600K launched at $319 and the Intel Core i7-12700K at $409. Street prices change often, so check a current price before buying.

Is the Core i5-13600K or the Core i7-12700K better for gaming?

Our gaming score favours the Intel Core i5-13600K (55 vs 51 out of 100). That score blends measured render performance with clock speed, cache and memory, because no game benchmark is included in our data.

More CPU comparisons

About this data

Benchmark numbers come from Blender Open Data, a public collection of results submitted by real users, shown as medians with the submission count. Specifications and launch prices are compiled from manufacturer information and may contain mistakes. See how it all works on thePC Parts Comparison page, or report an error through our contact page. This page contains affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.