The gap changes with resolution.
CPU differences shrink as resolution rises — at 4K the graphics card does most of the work.
| Resolution | i5-14600K | i9-12900K | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 94 | 92 | +2% |
| 1440p | 93 | 91 | +2% |
| 4K | 91 | 91 | 0% |
In a real build with a RTX 3080.
Specs alone don’t tell you which to buy. Here is what each one does when it’s actually paired up, at 1440p.
i5-14600K + RTX 3080
1% GPU-bound
GPU is the limit — the healthy case, with CPU headroom to spare.
Full verdict for this pairing →| Game (1440p, paired with the RTX 3080) | i5-14600K | i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends | 332 fps | 328 fps |
| Counter-Strike 2 | 287 fps | 284 fps |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 140 fps | 139 fps |
| Elden Ring | 112 fps | 111 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 86 fps | 85 fps |
| Starfield | 86 fps | 86 fps |
Modelled from benchmark data, not measured for every pairing. Our published error rate is 21.6% mean absolute error.
So which should you buy?
Whichever is cheaper on the day. There is roughly 2% between them at 1440p, which you will not notice in a game.
Affiliate links — we earn a small commission on Amazon purchases at no cost to you, which keeps the calculator free. Full disclosure.
Common questions.
Straight answers on the i5-14600K versus the i9-12900K.
Is the i5-14600K better than the i9-12900K?
They are close enough to call a tie. At 1440p the i5-14600K scores 93 on our index against 91 for the i9-12900K — a gap of about 2%, which is inside the margin where you would not feel a difference while gaming. Buy whichever is cheaper or easier to find.
Does the i5-14600K or i9-12900K bottleneck a RTX 3080?
Paired with a RTX 3080 at 1440p, the i5-14600K build comes out 1% GPU-bound, and the i9-12900K build comes out balanced. Being GPU-bound is the healthy outcome — it means the graphics card is the part working hardest.
Is it worth upgrading from the i9-12900K to the i5-14600K?
No. A 2% index gap will not be visible in games, and the money is better spent on the other side of the build — usually the GPU.
Which is better value, the i5-14600K or the i9-12900K?
On performance per dollar at MSRP, the i5-14600K wins. The i5-14600K lists at $319 for an index of 93, and the i9-12900K at $599 for 91.
Check either one against your build.
Pick a CPU and its counterpart, and get a verdict at all three resolutions in under 30 seconds.