Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i7-1370P Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600K wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i7-1370P wins only 2. The data strongly favors the desktop part in most workloads.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-1370P a mobile-only part?

A: Yes. The i7-1370P uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket and is listed as a Mobile segment product. The i5-12600K uses the Intel Socket 1700 and is a Desktop segment product.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-12600K records an average benchmark score of 27578, while the i7-1370P records 26900. The i5-12600K holds a small edge of about 2.5% in overall average score.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-1370P boosts to 5.20 GHz, which is higher than the i5-12600K's 4.90 GHz boost. Despite this, the i5-12600K wins most single-threaded tests except Cinebench R23 single-core.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel memory buses. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference?

A: The i7-1370P has a TDP of 28 watts, while the i5-12600K has a TDP of 125 watts. This is a substantial difference reflecting their intended usage environments.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-1370P is built on Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-P, while the Intel Core i5-12600K uses Alder Lake architecture with the codename Alder Lake-S. Both are manufactured by Intel on a 10 nm process node, and both use Intel as the foundry. The die sizes are very close: the i7-1370P measures 217 mm², while the i5-12600K measures 215 mm².

Core configuration differs significantly. The i7-1370P contains 14 cores and 20 threads, whereas the i5-12600K contains 10 cores and 16 threads. The i7-1370P therefore offers more cores and threads, which is notable for a mobile part. However, the i5-12600K compensates with much higher base and boost clocks: 3.70 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost versus 1.90 GHz base and 5.20 GHz boost for the i7-1370P. The i7-1370P has a higher maximum boost, but the i5-12600K starts from a far higher base clock.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both CPUs list 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache is 2 MB per core on the i7-1370P versus 1.25 MB per core on the i5-12600K. The shared L3 cache is 24 MB on the i7-1370P and 20 MB on the i5-12600K. So the i7-1370P has more cache at every level.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-1370P includes Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while the i5-12600K includes UHD Graphics 770. The i7-1370P is a mobile part with a 28 W TDP, whereas the i5-12600K is a desktop part with a 125 W TDP. The i5-12600K has an unlocked multiplier, meaning it supports overclocking, while the i7-1370P does not. Both CPUs support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU only, and both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i5-12600K is the stronger performer in nearly every measured workload. It wins 15 out of 17 head-to-head tests, with the only wins for the i7-1370P coming in Cinebench R23 single-core and Passmark find prime numbers. The i5-12600K leads by large margins in multi-core rendering, data compression, encryption, and general math workloads. Its average benchmark score of 27578 is higher than the i7-1370P's 26900, and both sit at the 79th percentile among all CPUs.

For users building a desktop system, the i5-12600K is the obvious choice based on performance. It delivers substantially higher scores in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, as well as Passmark multithread and single-thread tests. The unlocked multiplier is an additional advantage for enthusiasts who want to overclock.

For mobile users, however, the i7-1370P is the only option that fits the BGA 1744 socket. Its 28 W TDP is far lower than the i5-12600K's 125 W, making it suitable for laptops and compact systems. The i7-1370P still provides strong single-core performance in Cinebench R23, where it beats the i5-12600K by 21.1%. Its higher L3 cache and per-core L2 cache also suggest good responsiveness in certain workloads.

The choice comes down to platform. If you need a desktop CPU with maximum throughput, the i5-12600K wins decisively. If you need a mobile processor with lower power draw, the i7-1370P is the only one of the two that fits that form factor. The performance gap is significant, but the intended use cases are entirely different.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-1370P | Intel Core i5-12600K |

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

| Cores | 14 | 10 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1.90 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-P | Alder Lake-S |

| Generation | Core i7 (Raptor Lake-P) | Core i5 (Alder Lake-S) |

| Die Size | 217 mm² | 215 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2021-11-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $438 | $289 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-12600K dominates the Cinebench suite in multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-12600K scores 2555 against the i7-1370P's 1649, a 35.5% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the gap is 30%: 9821 versus 6873. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the margin narrows to 6.4%, with the i5-12600K scoring 17491 against 16365. This suggests the i7-1370P is relatively stronger in newer multi-core workloads, though it still loses.

Single-core results are mixed. The i5-12600K wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 275 versus 232, a 15.6% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-12600K leads by 30%: 1386 versus 970. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-1370P takes the win with 2310 against 1907, a 21.1% advantage. This is the largest single-test win for the i7-1370P.

Passmark tests heavily favor the i5-12600K. Data compression shows a 36.7% lead for the i5-12600K: 344071 versus 217676. Data encryption favors the i5-12600K by 29.3%: 18485 versus 13067. Extended instructions show the largest gap at 41.7%: 22002 versus 12822. Floating point math gives the i5-12600K a 19.5% edge: 67217 versus 54105. Integer math is closer, with the i5-12600K ahead by 10.4%: 87776 versus 78675. Random string sorting shows a 34% lead for the i5-12600K: 35704 versus 23580.

The single-thread Passmark test also favors the i5-12600K. It scores 3926 versus 3557, a 9.4% advantage. The same result appears for both "passmark_single_thread" and "passmark_singlethread", as they record identical scores. Passmark multithread gives the i5-12600K a 26.5% lead: 27608 versus 20303. Passmark physics shows a narrow 3.9% lead for the i5-12600K: 1525 versus 1466.

The i7-1370P's only other win is Passmark find prime numbers, where it scores 97 against 91, a 6.6% advantage. This is a small margin but represents a genuine strength in that specific workload.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12600K is the clear winner for multi-threaded desktop workloads. It leads in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, with margins ranging from 6.4% to 35.5%. It also wins Passmark multithread by 26.5%, data compression by 36.7%, data encryption by 29.3%, and extended instructions by 41.7%. This makes it the better choice for rendering, video encoding, batch processing, and any task that scales across cores. The i5-12600K also wins in most single-threaded tests, including Cinebench R15 and R20 single-core, Passmark single-thread, floating point math, integer math, and random string sorting. For general desktop use, gaming, and productivity, the i5-12600K is the stronger performer.

The Intel Core i7-1370P wins in two specific areas. First, Cinebench R23 single-core, where it beats the i5-12600K by 21.1%. This indicates that the i7-1370P has excellent single-thread performance in the latest Cinebench version, likely due to its higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz and larger cache. Second, Passmark find prime numbers, where it leads by 6.6%. This suggests the i7-1370P is efficient in prime-number calculations, a workload that often depends on cache and memory latency.

Beyond these two wins, the i7-1370P's advantages are structural rather than benchmark-based. It has a 28 W TDP, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where the i5-12600K's 125 W TDP would be impractical. It also has more cores (14 versus 10), more threads (20 versus 16), and more L3 cache (24 MB versus 20 MB). These specifications do not translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data, but they indicate the i7-1370P is designed for a different thermal envelope and platform.

For users choosing between these two, the decision is straightforward. If you are building a desktop with an LGA 1700 motherboard, the i5-12600K offers superior performance in nearly every test. If you need a mobile processor for a BGA 1744 laptop, the i7-1370P is the only option here, and it provides competitive single-core performance in Cinebench R23 despite its lower power draw. The data does not show any scenario where the i7-1370P outperforms the i5-12600K in multi-core workloads; the i5-12600K is simply the faster chip in the vast majority of measured tasks.