Performance comparison: which is faster?
Core i9-10900F (Intel, 2020) and Core i5-12600 (Intel, 2022) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: i9-10900F is about 3.3% faster
The sockets differ (LGA1200 / LGA1700), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | i9-10900F | i5-12600 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 24,800 | 24,000 |
| Generation | 10th Gen | 12th Gen |
| Socket | LGA1200 | LGA1700 |
| Release Year | 2020 | 2022 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | Radeon RX 7800 XT | Radeon RX 7800 XT |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | i9-10900F |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | i5-12600 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
i9-10900F is about 3.3% higher by score (i9-10900F: 24800 points / i5-12600: 24000 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
i9-10900F is 10th Gen, while i5-12600 is 12th Gen.The sockets differ (LGA1200 / LGA1700), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, Radeon RX 7800 XT pairs well with i9-10900F and Radeon RX 7800 XT pairs well with i5-12600. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
