Intel Core i9-12900K vs Intel Core i5-661

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i9-12900K or Intel Core i9-12900K – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i9-12900K features 16 processor cores and has the capability to manage 24 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2021 and belongs to the 12 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-12900K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1700 socket.
The Intel Core i5-661 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2010 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-661, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1156 socket.
Intel Core i 12000 Group Intel Core i5 600
12 Generation 1
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-12900K Name Intel Core i5-661
Intel Core i9 Family Intel Core i5
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-12900K has 16 CPU cores and can calculate 24 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the A-Core is 3.2 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
Processors with hybrid (big.LITTLE) architecture strike a balance between performance and power efficiency, making them ideal for mobile devices.
The Intel Core i5-661 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-661 is 3.33 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.6 GHz.
24 Threads 4
2.4 GHz B-Core Frequency None
None None 2x
16 CPU Cores 2
hybrid (big.LITTLE) Core architecture normal
8x Golden Cove Cores A None
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
3.2 GHz A-Core Frequency None
5.2 GHz A-Core Frequency Turbo None
Yes Overclocking No
8x Gracemont Cores B None
3.9 GHz B-Core Frequency Turbo None
None None 3.6 GHz
None None 3.33 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-12900K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i9-12900K uses the Intel UHD Graphics 770, which has 256 texture shaders
and 32 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Intel Core i5-661 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i5-661 uses the Intel HD Graphics (Westmere), which has 24 texture shaders
and 12 execution units.
256 Shaders 24
Q4/2021 Release date Q1/2010
10 nm Technology 32 nm
12 Direct X 10.1
64.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
-- Max. displays --
32 Execution units 12
0.3 GHz GPU frequency 0.5 GHz
11 Generation 5
1.55 GHz GPU (Turbo) 0.9 GHz
Intel UHD Graphics 770 GPU name Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
Decode / Encode VP8 No
Decode VC-1 No
Decode / Encode JPEG No
Decode AV1 No
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
Decode / Encode AVC Decode
Decode / Encode h264 Decode
Decode / Encode VP9 No
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 16.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.0 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 Memory type DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
Yes ECC No
128.0 GB Max. Memory 16.0 GB
2 Memory channels 2
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 21.0 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 125 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 73 W watts.
241 W TDP (PL2) None
125 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 73 W
100 °C Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-12900K is manufactured using a 10 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 30.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i5-661 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 4.0 MB cache.
Q4/2021 Release date Q1/2010
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
10 nm Technology 32 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
589 $ Release price 177 $
Alder Lake S Architecture Clarkdale
30.0 MB L3-Cache 4.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
BX8071512900K Part Number --
LGA 1700 Socket LGA 1156
14.0 MB L2-Cache 512.0 KB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
40902
40902
Intel Core i5-661
2C 4T @ 3.33 GHz
2359
2359

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
17595
17595
Intel Core i5-661
2C 4T @ 3.33 GHz
1308
1308

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
1990
1990
Intel Core i5-661
2C 4T @ 3.33 GHz
597
597