Buy on Amazon
$301.24
In Stock
Availability
Availability
AvailabilityMSRP in USD: $289
Availability
MSRP in USD: $289
Key Differences
In short, we have a clear winner — Core i5-12600K outperforms the more expensive Core i7-3960X on the selected game parameters, and is also a better bang for your buck! The better performing Core i5-12600K is 3643 days newer than the more expensive Core i7-3960X.
Advantages of Intel Core i5-12600K
- Performs up to 8% better in Metro Exodus than Core i7-3960X - 151 vs 140 FPS
- Up to 41% cheaper than Core i7-3960X - $177.2 vs $301.24
- Up to 46% better value when playing Metro Exodus than Core i7-3960X - $1.17 vs $2.15 per FPS
- Consumes up to 4% less energy than Intel Core i7-3960X - 125 vs 130 Watts
- Can execute more multi-threaded tasks simultaneously than Intel Core i7-3960X - 16 vs 12 threads
- Works without a dedicated GPU, while Intel Core i7-3960X doesn't have integrated graphics
Metro Exodus
Resolution
1920 x 1080
Game Graphics
Extreme
Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition Hexa-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 15 MB Cache LGA 2011 - BX80619I73960X
Buy for $301.24 on Amazon
In Stock
Updated 6377 minutes ago
Core i5-12600K
Desktop • Nov 4th, 2021
FPS
151
100%
Value, $/FPS
$1.17/FPS
100%
Price, $
$177.2
100%
FPS and Value Winner
Intel Core i5-12600K Desktop Processor with Integrated Graphics and 10 (6P+4E) Cores up to 4.9 GHz Unlocked LGA1700 600 Series Chipset 125W
Buy for $177.2 on Amazon
In Stock
Updated 6378 minutes ago
TOP 5 Games
Resolution
1920 x 1080
Game Graphics
Extreme
Core i7-3960X
Desktop • Nov 14th, 2011
Core i5-12600K
Desktop • Nov 4th, 2021
Geekbench 5 Benchmarks
Intel Core i7-3960X | vs | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 14th, 2011 | Release Date | Nov 4th, 2021 |
| Core i7 | Collection | Core i5 |
| Sandy Bridge E | Codename | Alder Lake |
| Intel Socket 2011 | Socket | Intel Socket 1700 |
Desktop | Segment | Desktop |
| 6 | Cores | 10 |
| 12 | Threads | 16 |
| 3.3 GHz | Base Clock Speed | 3.7 GHz |
| 3.9 GHz | Turbo Clock Speed | 4.9 GHz |
| 130 W | TDP | 125 W |
| 32 nm | Process Size | 10 nm |
| 33.0x | Multiplier | 37.0x |
| None | Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 |
| Yes | Overclockable | Yes |
Builds Using Core i7-3960X or Core i5-12600K
Metro Exodus, 1920 x 1080, Extreme
55 FPS
$20.91/FPS
GeForce RTX 4060
Core i5-12600K
16 GB, 1 TB SSD
Buy on Amazon
$1,149.99
In Stock
60 FPS
$29.24/FPS
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Core i5-12600K
16 GB, 1 TB SSD
Buy on Amazon
$1,754.11
In Stock
70 FPS
$10.36/FPS
GeForce RTX 3070
Core i5-12600K
16 GB, 1 TB SSD
Buy on Amazon
$725.22
In Stock
60 FPS
$30.59/FPS
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Core i5-12600K
32 GB, 1 TB SSD
Buy on Amazon
$1,835.65
In Stock
60 FPS
$20/FPS
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Core i5-12600K
16 GB, 1 TB SSD
Buy on Amazon
$1,199.99
In Stock
70 FPS
$13.29/FPS
GeForce RTX 3070
Core i5-12600K
32 GB, 1 TB SSD
Buy on Amazon
$930.24
In Stock
90 FPS
$18.88/FPS
GeForce RTX 4070
Core i5-12600K
16 GB, 1 TB SSD
Buy on Amazon
$1,699
In Stock
76 FPS
$47.34/FPS
GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
Core i5-12600K
32 GB, 1 TB SSD
Buy on Amazon
$3,598
In Stock
55 FPS
$24.55/FPS
GeForce RTX 4060
Core i5-12600K
16 GB, 1 TB SSD
Buy on Amazon
$1,349.99
In Stock
45 FPS
$18.99/FPS
GeForce RTX 3060
Core i5-12600K
32 GB, 500 GB SSD
Buy on Amazon
$854.67
In Stock
Similar CPU Comparisons
Select from the most popular similar processor comparisons. Most compared processor combinations, including the currently selected ones, are at the top.
