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CPU comparison

Intel Core i5-14600K vs Intel Core i9-12900K

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 i5-14600KBCheck Price on AmazonIntel Core i9-12900K

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

APart A

Intel

Core i5-14600K

  • Blender render score 320 samples/min
  • Cores 14
  • Max boost clock 5.3 GHz
VS

BPart B

Intel

Core i9-12900K

  • Blender render score 339 samples/min
  • Cores 16
  • Max boost clock 5.2 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 i9-12900K is 6% faster in the Blender benchmark

AIntel Core i5-14600K320

Median of 32 submissions

BIntel Core i9-12900K339

Median of 13 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

A59%Good
B61%Good

Too close to call

Office Work

A71%Good
B72%Good

Too close to call

Daily Use

A64%Good
B64%Good

Too close to call

Content Creation

A51%Fair
B55%Good

Better pick: Core i9-12900K · Threads: 24 vs 20

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 i5-14600K

61/100

BIntel Core i9-12900K

63/100

AIntel Core i5-14600K

Advantages

  • Base clock 3.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz (9% higher)
  • Max boost clock 5.3 GHz vs 5.2 GHz (2% higher)

Disadvantages

  • L3 cache 24 MB vs 30 MB (20% lower)
  • Threads 20 vs 24 (17% lower)
  • Cores 14 vs 16 (13% lower)
  • Blender render score 320 samples/min vs 339 samples/min (6% lower)

BIntel Core i9-12900K

Advantages

  • L3 cache 30 MB vs 24 MB (25% higher)
  • Threads 24 vs 20 (20% higher)
  • Cores 16 vs 14 (14% higher)
  • Blender render score 339 samples/min vs 320 samples/min (6% higher)

Disadvantages

  • Base clock 3.2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz (9% lower)
  • Max boost clock 5.2 GHz vs 5.3 GHz (2% lower)

03 · Full comparison

Side-by-side specifications

SpecificationAIntel Core i5-14600KBIntel Core i9-12900K
Measured performance
Blender render scoreMedian of community-submitted Blender Benchmark results (Blender Open Data). Higher is faster.320 samples/min339 samples/min Better +6%
Benchmark submissionsHow many results the median is based on. Small numbers are less reliable.3213
Cores & clocks
Cores1416 Better +14%
Efficiency (E) cores88
Threads2024 Better +20%
Base clock3.5 GHz Better +9%3.2 GHz
Max boost clock5.3 GHz Better +2%5.2 GHz
Memory & cache
L3 cache24 MB30 MB Better +25%
Memory supportDDR4 / DDR5DDR4 / DDR5
Power
TDP / base power125 W125 W
Features
Integrated graphicsYesYes
Platform
ArchitectureRaptor Lake RefreshAlder Lake
SocketLGA1700LGA1700
Manufacturing processIntel 7Intel 7
Release year20232021
Launch price$319$589

Ready to buy?

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

ACheck Price on Amazon: Core i5-14600KBCheck Price on Amazon: Core i9-12900K

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

Intel Core i5-14600K vs Intel Core i9-12900K at a glance

This page compares the Intel Core i5-14600K and the Intel Core i9-12900K using published specifications and real measured benchmark results. In the Blender Benchmark, Intel Core i9-12900K posts a median render score of 339 against 320 for Intel Core i5-14600K, making it 6% faster. The medians are based on 13 and 32 community submissions.

Intel Core i5-14600K: 14 cores, 20 threads, 5.3 GHz max boost clock, 125 W tdp / base power, released in 2023, launched at $319. Intel Core i9-12900K: 16 cores, 24 threads, 5.2 GHz max boost clock, 125 W tdp / base power, released in 2021, launched at $589.

Our overall scores are 61 for Core i5-14600K and 63 for Core i9-12900K out of 100. By use case, the better pick is, for gaming: too close to call; for office work: too close to call; for daily use: too close to call; for content creation: Core i9-12900K. Blender measures rendering rather than game frame rates, so treat the gaming result as a guide built from render performance and specifications.

Core i5-14600K vs Core i9-12900K FAQ

Which is faster, the Core i5-14600K or the Core i9-12900K?

In the Blender Benchmark, Intel Core i9-12900K posts a median render score of 339 against 320 for Intel Core i5-14600K, making it 6% faster. The medians are based on 13 and 32 community submissions.

Which uses more power, the Core i5-14600K or the Core i9-12900K?

Both are rated at 125 W.

How much did the Core i5-14600K and the Core i9-12900K cost at launch?

The Intel Core i5-14600K launched at $319 and the Intel Core i9-12900K at $589. Street prices change often, so check a current price before buying.

Is the Core i5-14600K or the Core i9-12900K better for gaming?

Our gaming scores for the two are within a few points of each other (59 and 61 out of 100). Blender is a rendering benchmark, so also look at independent game benchmarks.

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.