Intel Core i5-11600K vs Intel Core i5-12500 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the overall benchmark scores of the Intel Core i5-11600K and Intel Core i5-12500 compare?

A: The 11600K has an average benchmark score of 19,786, while the 12500 scores 19,668. This makes the 11600K slightly ahead by 0.6%, a margin small enough that both CPUs land in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which processor wins more individual benchmark comparisons?

A: The 12500 takes 13 head-to-head wins, while the 11600K takes 12. The split is nearly even, but the 12500 edges ahead in total victory count across the 25 tested workloads.

Q: Does the newer 12500 beat the 11600K in single-threaded performance?

A: In PassMark single-thread testing, the 12500 scores 3,666 versus 3,344 for the 11600K, a gain of 8.8%. In 3DMark single-thread, the 11600K wins by 1.7% (967 vs 951), showing the lead depends heavily on the benchmark.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The 11600K has an unlocked multiplier, while the 12500 is locked. This makes the 11600K the only one of the two with manual overclocking capability.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory types?

A: No. The 11600K supports DDR4 only, while the 12500 supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both run memory in dual-channel configuration.

Q: What is the difference in their integrated graphics?

A: The 11600K features UHD Graphics 750, while the 12500 has UHD Graphics 770. This is a generation step forward for the 12500's integrated solution.

Architecture Differences

The 11600K is built on Rocket Lake, a 14 nm process, with a die size of 276 mm². The 12500 moves to Alder Lake-S on a 10 nm process, shrinking the die to 163 mm². Both use six cores and twelve threads, but the underlying designs differ substantially.

Cache layouts diverge notably. The 11600K has 256 KB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3. The 12500 expands L2 to 1.25 MB per core and L3 to 18 MB shared. That additional cache explains part of the 12500’s strength in certain compute-heavy workloads. L1 cache remains identical at 80 KB per core.

Memory support changes generationally. The 11600K is limited to DDR4, while the 12500 supports DDR4 and DDR5. PCIe capability also advances: the 11600K offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the 12500 provides Gen 5 with the same 20 lanes from the CPU.

The 11600K has a 125 W TDP and is an unlocked part (SRKNU). The 12500 runs at 65 W TDP and is locked (SRL5V). The 11600K’s higher boost clock reaches 4.90 GHz versus 4.60 GHz for the 12500, while the base clocks are 3.90 GHz and 3.00 GHz respectively. The 12500 is the newer release, launched in January 2022, and remains active in production; the 11600K, released in March 2021, is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data shows a near-total performance tie between these two six-core, twelve-thread processors. The 11600K leads the average benchmark score by only 0.6%, and the 12500 wins just one more head-to-head test. Neither CPU dominates the other in a way that makes a clear overall winner.

Choose the 11600K if you want the unlocked multiplier for overclocking, need the higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz, or require the larger edge in 3DMark threaded tests where it leads by 4% to 12.4%. It also wins integer math by 4.9% and random string sorting by 18.5%. The 11600K’s 125 W TDP suggests a more power-hungry design, but that is the trade-off for its aggressive clock speeds.

Choose the 12500 if you prefer the newer Alder Lake architecture, want support for DDR5 memory, or value the substantially better results in PassMark physics (24% faster), floating-point math (20.3% faster), and prime number finding (22.7% faster). Its single-thread PassMark score is 8.8% higher at 3,666, and it wins all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests by margins of 1.2% to 1.3%. The 12500 also runs at a lower 65 W TDP and includes UHD Graphics 770.

For most workloads, the differences are small. The 11600K is the overclocker’s pick; the 12500 is the efficiency and platform-modernity pick. The 73rd percentile placement for both underscores how closely matched they are in the broader CPU landscape.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i5-11600K | Intel Core i5-12500 |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Alder Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | 163 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not specified |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2022-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $262 | $212 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SRKNU | SRL5V |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The 11600K dominates the 3DMark suite. Its biggest win comes in the 4-thread test, scoring 3,512 versus 3,125 for a 12.4% advantage. The 8-thread test shows 5,268 against 4,862 (8.4% lead), and the 2-thread test delivers 1,861 versus 1,741 (6.9% ahead). In the 16-thread and max-thread tests, the 11600K leads by 4% and 4.1% respectively. The single-thread 3DMark result goes to the 11600K by a narrow 1.7% (967 vs 951).

The 12500 fights back in Cinebench across the board. It wins R15 multicore 1,689 to 1,668 (1.2% ahead), R20 multicore 7,038 to 6,951 (1.2%), and R23 multicore 16,759 to 16,552 (1.2%). Single-core results follow the same pattern: R15 at 238 vs 235 (1.3%), R20 at 993 vs 981 (1.2%), and R23 at 2,366 vs 2,336 (1.3%). GeekBench multicore also favors the 12500 at 9,374 versus 9,238 (1.5% lead), while GeekBench single-core goes to the 11600K by a tiny 0.2% (1,973 vs 1,969).

PassMark tests split sharply by workload type. The 11600K wins data compression (242,740 vs 238,753, up 1.7%), data encryption (12,212 vs 12,033, up 1.5%), extended instructions (17,615 vs 16,090, up 9.5%), integer math (64,664 vs 61,626, up 4.9%), and random string sorting (27,870 vs 23,523, up 18.5%). The 12500 counters with huge wins in find prime numbers (75 vs 58, up 22.7%), floating-point math (48,004 vs 38,269, up 20.3%), physics (1,242 vs 944, up 24%), multithread (19,893 vs 19,527, up 1.8%), and single-thread (3,666 vs 3,344, up 8.8%).

Where Each One Wins

The 11600K is the pick for integer-heavy and data-processing workloads. Its 18.5% lead in random string sorting and 9.5% lead in extended instructions make it better suited for tasks that manipulate large datasets or rely on specialized instruction sets. The 4.9% integer math advantage reinforces this pattern. Gamers using 3DMark-style threaded loads will also prefer the 11600K, given its 4% to 12.4% sweep across all multi-threaded 3DMark tests. The unlocked multiplier adds further appeal for users who plan to push clocks beyond stock.

The 12500 wins where floating-point and scientific workloads matter. Its 20.3% floating-point math lead and 22.7% prime number advantage indicate stronger FPU performance. The 24% physics win suggests better performance in simulation or physics-heavy applications. Cinebench and GeekBench multicore results, though narrow, favor the 12500 consistently. Its 65 W TDP makes it the more energy-efficient choice, and the DDR5 support future-proofs memory upgrades. The 8.8% single-thread PassMark win also makes it the better option for lightly threaded responsiveness.

In raw victory count, the 12500 edges ahead with 13 wins versus 12 for the 11600K. But the margins tell the real story: the 11600K’s wins are often large (up to 18.5%), while many of the 12500’s wins are narrow (1.2% to 1.5%). The 12500 compensates with massive wins in physics, floating-point, and single-thread tests. Users who need balanced performance across diverse workloads will find the 12500 slightly more versatile; users who prioritize integer throughput and overclocking will favor the 11600K.