SPECS
EXPECT TO PAY: $290
THREADS: 16
L3 CACHE (SMART CACHE): 20MB
L2 CACHE: 9.5MB
GRAPHICS: UHD Graphics 770
MEMORY SUPPORT (UP TO): DDR5 4800MT/s, DDR4 3200MT/s
The humble Core i5 is the CPU that matters most for gamers. It’s cheaper than a Core i7 or Core i9, but it still offers the fundamentals of what makes those chips great for gaming. With the Core i5 12600K that’s no different, though that may be understating what this chip can really do.
That’s because the Core i5 12600K isn’t the modest CPU you expect: It’s the equivalent of the top previous-gen chip in a package that’s almost half the price, at around $290. That means it only took one generation, and less than 12 months, for Intel to take its Core i9 performance and deliver it inside a far cheaper Core i5 package. Since it’s not pushing to the very limit of what Alder Lake can deliver in a single die, either, it’s also a more power savvy design than the Core i9 12900K. That makes for a more well-rounded processor for mid- to high-end builds.
The Core i5 12600K really is shockingly good, and the deeper you dive into this chip’s performance, the more you realize it’s the real star of the 12th Gen show.
DEEP DIVE
Denne historien er fra March 2022-utgaven av PC Gamer US Edition.
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Denne historien er fra March 2022-utgaven av PC Gamer US Edition.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
"The War Within itself has kept me coming back most evenings too"
WORLD OF WARCRAFT remains my jailer, and I couldn't be more pleased about it
OK BUILDER
SATISFACTORY is the new titan in building and crafting games
HELL YES
DIABLO IV: VESSEL OF HATRED is a transformative expansion
MOUSE: PI FOR HIRE
This mouse wants to be more than just a gimmick
WINDBLOWN
Dead Cells dev's new roguelike has me afraid for my free time
NO MORE ROOM IN HELL 2
As the zombie horde surrounded me just moments after taking down my two remaining teammates, the writing was really on the wall. Armed with just a chef's knife, it was clear I stood no chance, but I was going down swinging, hoping for a miracle... it didn't come.
OWNED BY STEAM
VALVE cordially reminds you that your games aren't yours
CURSE OF THE AZURE BONDS
These classic games haven't aged badly, but I sure have.
DEEP FREEZE
Endure a blizzard of tough choices and rough consequences in FROSTPUNK 2
NEW HORIZONS
Building up REMNANT 2 outside the live service game grinder