Core i5-12600K vs Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS
Core i5-12600K
Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12600K
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12600K | Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($185) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Phoenix-HS (Zen 4) (2023) / 4 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12600K | Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($185) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12600K and Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS
Core i5-12600K
The Core i5-12600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 27,586 points. Launch price was $289.
Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS
The Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 June 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Phoenix-HS (Zen 4) (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 MB + 16 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 27,318 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12600K packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-12600K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-12600K versus 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS — a 5.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS (base: 3.7 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i5-12600K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS uses Phoenix-HS (Zen 4) (2023) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600K scores 27,586 against the Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS's 27,318 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-12600K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,500 vs 16,000 (9% advantage for the Core i5-12600K). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,472 vs 2,605, a 5.2% lead for the Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,863 vs 10,348 (13.6% advantage for the Core i5-12600K). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600K vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS.
| Feature | Core i5-12600K | Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 16+25% | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 4.9 GHz | 5.2 GHz+6% |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4 GHz+8% |
| L3 Cache | 20 MB (total)+25% | 16 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 8 MB+540% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 4 nm-43% |
| Architecture | Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) | Phoenix-HS (Zen 4) (2023) |
| PassMark | 27,586 | 27,318 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 17,500+9% | 16,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,472 | 2,605+5% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 11,863+15% | 10,348 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS uses FP7/FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i5-12600K versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS — the Core i5-12600K supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12600K supports up to 128 of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i5-12600K) and SoC (Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS).
| Feature | Core i5-12600K | Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | FP7/FP8 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 4800+95900% | DDR5-5600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 | 64 GB+52428700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 20 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12600K) vs Yes (Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12600K) and Radeon 780M (Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600K targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600K rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.
| Feature | Core i5-12600K | Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | Radeon 780M |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | Yes |
| Target Use | Gaming | — |
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