Apple M5 vs Core i5-12600K
Performance score
Apple M5 and Core i5-12600K are almost equally fast (under 3% apart) — choose by price, socket and platform.
The score is our own estimate from the specs (cores, threads, clocks, architecture generation), not a benchmark run. 100 = the fastest CPU in our database.
Real tests
What the test measures
Blender is a popular free 3D graphics program. The test makes the device render three ready-made 3D scenes (light, shadows, reflections) and counts how many render passes it finishes per minute. The higher the number, the faster the device handles heavy work: 3D, video editing, photo processing. On a CPU the test loads all cores at once, so it shows the chip's full power; on a graphics card it shows its compute strength.
Median of real test runs on users' computers. It does not show FPS in games. Data updated: 31.10.2026.
Overview
| Apple M5 | Core i5-12600K | |
|---|---|---|
| Score (0–100) | 43.3 | 43.61 |
| Ranking position | 110 | 107 |
| Price/performance (0–100) | no data | 54.15 |
| Power efficiency (0–100) | no data | 18.23 |
| Type | Laptop | Desktop |
| Manufacturer | Apple | Intel |
| Architecture | Apple M5 | Alder Lake |
| Release date | Q4 2025 | 2021-11-04 |
| Launch price | no data | $289 |
Specifications
| Apple M5 | Core i5-12600K | |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 10 | 10 |
| Threads | 10 | 16 |
| P + E cores | 4 + 6 | 6 + 4 |
| Base clock | no data | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.61 GHz | 4.9 GHz |
| L2 cache | no data | 9.5 MB |
| L3 cache | no data | 20 MB |
| Process node | no data | Intel 7 |
| Unlocked multiplier | no | yes |
| Integrated graphics | no | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| NPU (AI accelerator) | no | no |
Compatibility
| Apple M5 | Core i5-12600K | |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | no data | LGA1700 |
| TDP | no data | 125 W |
| Max temperature | no data | 100 °C |
Memory and PCI Express
| Apple M5 | Core i5-12600K | |
|---|---|---|
| Memory type | no data | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 |
| Memory channels | no data | 2 |
| Max memory | no data | 128 GB |
| PCI Express version | no data | 5.0 |
| PCIe lanes | no data | 20 |
Pros and cons
Apple M5
- 42% faster single core
- newer: released in 2025
Core i5-12600K
- more threads: 16 vs 10
- has integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770)
- unlocked multiplier (can be overclocked)
Other comparisons
Preliminary data: specs are still being checked against the manufacturer's website.
Visitor rating
Questions and comments
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