Intel Core i5-13600K vs. Intel Core i9-12900F - Gaming Comparison?

I'm trying to decide between the Intel Core i5-13600K and the Intel Core i9-12900F for my gaming PC, but I can't seem to find a clear answer. Can anyone help me with this? Any advice would be appreciated.

For gaming, both processors deliver good to excellent performance depending on the specific game title, with the Core i9-12900F having an advantage due to its higher thread count and larger L3 cache. However, most modern games don't benefit from more than 6-8 cores. Have you checked out this TechReviewer article Intel Core i5-13600K vs. Intel Core i9-12900F? It might help you make a decision.

Thanks for the info, @busterj99. I read through that article you mentioned but still have some doubts. Can you elaborate on why most modern games don't benefit from more than 6-8 cores?

I see what you mean, @Paradigm-in. The reason is that game developers often optimize their titles for a specific number of CPU cores, and increasing the core count beyond this point doesn't necessarily lead to better performance. Most modern games are optimized for around 6-8 cores.

That's interesting. So it seems like getting the Core i9-12900F won't make much difference in gaming performance compared to the Core i5-13600K?

@plisskenjones, that's not entirely true. While many modern games might not benefit from more than 6-8 cores, some visually intensive or less optimized games could still see an improvement with the higher thread count and larger L3 cache of the Core i9-12900F.

Another thing to consider is overclocking support. The Core i5-13600K has better overclocking support than the Core i9-12900F, which could be a factor for some users looking to push their CPU's performance even further. Also, the Core i5-13600K supports DDR5 with a max stock speed of 5600 MHz compared to the Core i9-12900F's 4800 MHz.

Thanks for the input, @bellanational. That's good to know. I guess it ultimately comes down to my specific needs and budget. If I'm okay without overclocking and a higher stock DDR5 speed isn't a must-have feature for me, then the Core i9-12900F could still be a viable option.

Exactly, @Paradigm-in. It's all about finding the right balance between performance, features, and cost. It might be worth considering other factors like power consumption, thermal output, and future upgrade possibilities as well.

@Paradigm-in, I agree with @busterj99. Additionally, both CPUs have PCIe 5.0 support, which makes them suitable for high-speed SSDs and graphics cards. So you'll want to think about how important those features are to you in your gaming setup.

Good point, @DonCoscarelli1. Ultimately, there's no perfect choice without knowing the user's specific priorities and preferences. I'm still leaning towards the Core i5-13600K based on its overclocking potential and DDR5 support.

@plisskenjones, that sounds like a reasonable decision based on your needs. Just remember to keep an eye out for any future discounts or deals, as they can significantly impact the overall cost of your build.

@busterj99, I'll definitely do that. Thanks for all the advice and insights everyone has provided. I think I'm more confident in my decision now. Time to start building my dream gaming PC!