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The new Intel Core i5-12600K CPU is already up to £45 off for Black FridayBoth the OEM and retail models are on sale, less than three weeks after launch
Both the OEM and retail models are on sale, less than three weeks after launch
There’s no time to explain: theIntel Core i5-12600Khas aBlack Fridaydeal. I mean that’s weird, right? It only came out scant weeks ago and it’s already on the sharp end of a meaningful discount. Not that I’m complaining, mind, as this Intel 12th Gen Alder Lake mid-ranger proved itself thebest CPU for gamingimmediately upon arrival.
Obviously, if you’re going to take the plunge, you should go for the OEM model for maximum savings. OEM chips aren’t functionally or even aesthetically different to their retail counterparts - they just don’t come in the usual shiny packaging. Sometimes without a warranty too, though Overclockers list a 3-year warranty on this one.
How exactly is the Core i5-12600K an ideal gaming CPU? Let me count the ways. Mainly it’s just really bloody fast, thanks in part to some high clock speeds but also to its all-new architecture. Unlike previous Core i5 chips, this is split up into six “Performance” cores and four “Efficiency” cores, which seem to handle multitasking much more effectively while getting smarter with heat management and power distribution. In games, the performance benefit particularly extends to those that can take advantage of as many cores as possible, like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
The result is a CPU that consistently beats its closest rival, theAMD Ryzen 5 5600X, and stays on par with much more expensive chips on frame rate output. At £260, it’s an even better buy, and at £245 it’s a downright bargain. As such, I’d go for it quickly rather than hold out hope for further discounts, though keep in mind that you’ll also need to invest in a motherboard with the new LGA 1700 socket.
There are plenty more processors, including current-gen Ryzens, on offer in our guide to the bestBlack Friday CPU deals.
