Intel Core i5-12600
The current Intel Core i5-12600 price from retailers, its key specifications, and how it performs for each job.
Intel · CPU · Intel 12th
Trade-offs: you want strong value with Balanced priorities specifically
- Cores / threads
- 6C / 12T
- Boost clock
- 4800 MHz
- Socket
- LGA 1700
- TDP
- 154 W
- Memory support
- DDR5, DDR4
Move a slider and the page re-scores this product against the same market frame.
What does it cost today, and is that a good price?
Market confidence: LowAt $334 the Intel Core i5-12600 is priced in line with its $334 representative market level. Only one retailer currently backs that price, so the level is a single data point rather than a market.
Limited market: only one retailer currently has a verified offer, so treat this price as a single data point.
Prices & availability
Intel Core i5-12600: current price and offers
Compare the offers we track for this model, across variants and retailers.
1 tracked offers · 1 retailers
| Variant | Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value · Balanced | Checked | Offer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i5-12600 | MemoryC | New | $334 | 15 | 2026-11-09 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i5-12600Multiple variants available | Amazon Affiliate | Varies | Find on Amazon | Not tracked | No price snapshot | Find on Amazon → |
Prices are dated snapshots, not live quotes — confirm the final price at the store. New, refurbished and used offers are listed separately; used offers carry warranty and seller risk.
Performance and where it ranks
Two different questions, side by side. Performance compares what the hardware can do; Value compares what that capability costs at today’s price. A product can rank high on one and low on the other — that gap is the point.
Performance Balanced
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#141 of 270 graded processors
- #138 IntelIntel Core i9-9900X 13
- #139 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 5600 13
- #140 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 8500G 13
- #141 IntelIntel Core i5-12600 12
- #142 IntelIntel Core i9-7900X 12
- #143 IntelIntel Core i7-11700F 12
- #144 IntelIntel Core i7-11700 12
Value Balanced
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#228 of 270 currently priced processors
- #225 IntelIntel Core i9-10900 17
- #226 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1225 V5 16
- #227 IntelIntel Xeon E5-2699 v4 16
- #228 IntelIntel Core i5-12600 15
- #229 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 5900X 15
- #230 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X 14
- #231 IntelIntel Core i9-7980XE 13
Performance Gaming
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#126 of 270 graded processors
- #123 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 61
- #124 IntelIntel Core i3-12100 61
- #125 IntelIntel Core i5-12600K 61
- #126 IntelIntel Core i5-12600 61
- #127 IntelIntel Core i5-11600 61
- #128 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 5600GT 60
- #129 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 5700G 60
Value Gaming
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#237 of 270 currently priced processors
- #234 AMDAMD Athlon X4 760K 18
- #235 IntelIntel Core i9-11900KF 18
- #236 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX 18
- #237 IntelIntel Core i5-12600 17
- #238 IntelIntel Core i7-7820X 17
- #239 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 17
- #240 AMDAMD Threadripper 2920X 17
Performance Productivity
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#141 of 270 graded processors
- #138 IntelIntel Core i9-9900X 13
- #139 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 5600 13
- #140 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 8500G 13
- #141 IntelIntel Core i5-12600 12
- #142 IntelIntel Core i9-7900X 12
- #143 IntelIntel Core i7-11700F 12
- #144 IntelIntel Core i7-11700 12
Value Productivity
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#234 of 270 currently priced processors
- #231 IntelIntel Celeron G6900 18
- #232 IntelIntel Core i7-4790 17
- #233 IntelIntel Core i9-10900K 17
- #234 IntelIntel Core i5-12600 17
- #235 IntelIntel Core i3-13100 16
- #236 IntelIntel Core i3-9350KF 16
- #237 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1230 V5 16
Performance Performance per Watt
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#134 of 270 graded processors
- #131 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 3600XT 27
- #132 IntelIntel Core i9-11900F 26
- #133 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 3600X 26
- #134 IntelIntel Core i5-12600 25
- #135 IntelIntel Core i3-14100F 25
- #136 IntelIntel Core i3-14100 25
- #137 IntelIntel Core i3-12100 25
Value Performance per Watt
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#227 of 270 currently priced processors
- #224 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D 12
- #225 IntelIntel Core i7-7820X 12
- #226 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 5900X 11
- #227 IntelIntel Core i5-12600 11
- #228 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 10
- #229 IntelIntel Core i9-11900KF 10
- #230 IntelIntel Core i9-9900 10
These ladders follow the preset scenario shown above. Your own weights re-score this product, not the whole field.
What it is good for
| Scenario | this productCapability grade · Value at current price | Higher capability | Higher Value with current priorities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced (all-round)Weighted all-round view | GradeNo grade Value15 | Higher capability Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus 49 +223% capability · -1% price | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 7500F 94 +4% capability · -68% price |
| GamingScenario capability | GradeB Value17 | Higher capability Ryzen 7 7800X3D S 65 +41% capability · -7% price | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 7500F A 100 +14% capability · -68% price |
| ProductivityScenario capability | GradeC Value17 | Higher capability Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus S 98 +223% capability · -1% price | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus A 100 +126% capability |
| Performance per WattScenario capability | GradeD Value11 | Higher capability AMD Ryzen 9 7900 S 37 +295% capability | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 5500 C 100 +59% capability |
Balanced has no letter: it is a weighting preset, not a capability rubric. A grade answers “how well does this handle that job?” — price is never part of it. Relative Value puts the current market price back in.
Compare these grades with the full tier list
Browse shortlists for different uses
Trade-offs
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded B for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value with Balanced priorities specificallycompeting products deliver so much more per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelAMD Ryzen 5 7500F holds Relative Value 94 against its 15 with Balanced priorities, at $106
- Not the pick if Performance per Watt is your main useit grades only D there
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded B for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value for Gaming specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Gaming per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelAMD Ryzen 5 7500F holds Relative Value 100 against its 17 for Gaming, at $106
- Not the pick if Performance per Watt is your main useit grades only D there
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Productivity is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades C for Productivity, but B for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Not the pick if Productivity is your main useit grades C there; Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus grades S at $330
- You want strong value for Productivity specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Productivity per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus holds Relative Value 100 against its 17 for Productivity. Check on Amazon.
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Performance per Watt is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades D for Performance per Watt, but B for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Not the pick if Performance per Watt is your main useGraded D; AMD Ryzen 9 7900 reaches S. Check on Amazon.
- You want strong value for Performance per Watt specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Performance per Watt per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelAMD Ryzen 5 5500 holds Relative Value 100 against its 11 for Performance per Watt. Check on Amazon.
Models that suit Performance per Watt better, at this budget
Every line states the fact it was derived from, for the scenario selected above. Thresholds are calculated points on our value curve — information about where the maths turns, not instructions about what to pay.
Similar options to the Intel Core i5-12600
Chosen for Balanced
Chosen for Gaming
Chosen for Productivity
Chosen for Performance per Watt
Alternatives stay near this product’s price range. Step-up options may exceed the standard budget envelope when the capability gain is meaningful.
More head-to-head comparisons in this category
Upgrade planner
Judge the change in the active scenario, then make the cash gap explicit.
Using page scenarioWhat are you upgrading from? These are the axes we compare on, and where this product stands in the current market.
We rank upgrades by out-of-pocket cost — the new price minus what yours is worth — not by sticker price.
Only candidates that clear the configured meaningful-upgrade gate will be shown; roles are omitted rather than filled.
Capability differences are expressed as tiers and index points, not as benchmark percentages we did not measure.
Specifications and compatibility
What this product is, and what to check before it goes into your build.
Core / Performance
- Cores
- 6
- Threads
- 12
- Performance cores
- 6
- Efficiency cores
- 0
- Base clock
- 3300 MHz
- Boost clock
- 4800 MHz
Power / Interface
- TDP
- 154 W
- Maximum turbo power
- 154 W
- Socket
- LGA 1700
- Memory support
- DDR5, DDR4
- Maximum memory
- 128 GB
- Integrated graphics
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Process node
- 10 nm
Show all specifications
Core / Performance
- L2 cache
- 5 MB
- L3 cache
- 18 MB
- Unlocked multiplier
- No
Warranty & release
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Release year
- 2014
- Manufacturer part number
- BX8071512600
Hover any value to see where it came from: a manufacturer specification, or a figure The Comparator calculated.
Sources: Comparator offer frame 2026-11-02–2026-11-09
What to check in your build
LGA 1700 required
Your motherboard must use socket LGA 1700. A different socket does not fit — this is a physical constraint, not a preference.
Board BIOS must list this model
A matching socket is necessary but not sufficient — check the vendor CPU support list.
DDR5, DDR4 memory
This processor takes DDR5, DDR4. Memory of another generation does not fit the slots, even on a board with the right socket.
Cooler rated for 154 W or more
No cooler is included. Your cooler must be rated for at least 154 W on socket LGA 1700.
Found an error? Report this specification Email the field, corrected value and an optional source.
Compatibility guidance is practical help, not a score. Missing data is shown as unknown, never invented.
Summary
Intel Core i5-12600 offers a balanced view across an all-round mix of priorities. It ranks #141 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 600. AMD Ryzen 5 7500F currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i5-12600 offers B-grade capability for Gaming. It ranks #126 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 600. AMD Ryzen 5 7500F currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i5-12600 offers C-grade capability for Productivity. It ranks #141 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 600. The C grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i5-12600 offers D-grade capability for Performance per Watt. It ranks #134 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 600. The D grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
FAQ
Why does Relative Value change when I choose another scenario?
Each scenario changes the weights applied to capability, price and the other published factors. The hardware facts stay fixed, but the value question changes, so its score and rank can change too.
Why can Amazon appear without a tracked price?
Amazon listing snapshots can participate in Value while fresh. We show Check on Amazon instead of its price; confirm the current price and availability at the store. When no current listing snapshot exists, Amazon is a search link only.
Useful links & sources
offer frame 2026-11-02–2026-11-09 · formula cpu-value-v6.1 · facts facts-2026-11-09 · Relative Value is an estimate from our current dataset, the selected weights and dated market prices — not an official product rating and not a price forecast. Target prices are calculation thresholds, not predictions. Methodology We are not a shop. Affiliate links may earn us a commission; they never change the calculations or the ranking.