PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-12600 vs Core i9-10910 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-12600 vs Core i9-10910: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-12600

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $255 less on MSRP ($233 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
✅Delivers 109.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 91.8 vs 43.8 PassMark/$ ($233 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on FP7/FP8 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Included), unlike Core i9-10910.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10910 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,383 vs 21,396).
❌2500% higher power demand at 65W vs 2.5W.

Core i9-10910

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 3W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 43.8 vs 91.8 PassMark/$ ($488 MSRP vs $233 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-12600 moves to FP7/FP8 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12600.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10910 better than Core i5-12600?

Yes. Core i9-10910 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-10910 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10910 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-10910 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i9-10910 comes in 109.4% more expensive on MSRP at $488 MSRP versus $233 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12600 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 10.2% in the shared gaming data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-12600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FP7/FP8 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12600 vs Core i9-10910 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-12600

The Core i5-12600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5x, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,383 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-10910

The Core i9-10910 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 21,396 points. Launch price was $488.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-10910 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-10910 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-12600 versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-10910 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-10910 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-12600 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-10910 uses Comet Lake-S (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600 scores 21,383 against the Core i9-10910's 21,396 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i9-10910. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600 vs 20 MB on the Core i9-10910.

Feature	Core i5-12600	Core i9-10910
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	20 MB+11%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2.5 MB+100%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Comet Lake-S (2020)
PassMark	21,383	21,396
Geekbench 6 Single	2,400	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,400	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12600 uses the FP7/FP8 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-10910 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12600 versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10910 — the Core i5-12600 supports 63.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12600) vs 16 (Core i9-10910) — the Core i5-12600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B660,Z690 (Core i5-12600) and Z490,B460 (Core i9-10910).

Feature	Core i5-12600	Core i9-10910
Socket	FP7/FP8	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+64%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12600) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i9-10910) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600 rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12600	Core i9-10910
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12600 was priced at $233, while the Core i9-10910 came in at $488. On launch pricing ($233 vs $488), Core i5-12600 was $255 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12600 delivers 91.8 pts/$ vs 43.8 pts/$ for the Core i9-10910 — making the Core i5-12600 the 70.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12600	Core i9-10910
MSRP	$233-52%	$488
Performance per Dollar	91.8+110%	43.8
Release Date	2022	2020

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