So confused with my new platform plans. i5 12600K, i7 12700, i5 13500, or i5 13600K?
So confused with my new platform plans. i5 12600K, i7 12700, i5 13500, or i5 13600K?
Hi there. I’m about to launch my new platform, and I’ve been focusing on the i5 12600 paired with either MSI PRO B660 or Asus Prime B660. The more I research, the more uncertain I become. The 12600 non-K model isn’t an option since it lacks E-cores; the i5 12600K came up first, but the i7 12700 looks promising on paper with a lower base power and better benchmarks—though it’s pricier. The i5 13500 was also mentioned as a budget-friendly choice. I wasn’t sure about the 13th generation because it might require a different board, possibly due to BIOS updates for the 13 series, and there are concerns about overheating. The i5 13600K caught my eye recently too—it’s similar in price to the i7 12700 but shows clearer performance differences in tests. I’m leaning toward the B760 chipset or even a Z-series card, though that pushes my budget higher again. My PC will handle most tasks: graphic design, illustration, photo editing, InDesign, Wacom tablet work, and probably start using After Effects soon. It’s a solid, versatile machine that should last for years. I enjoy gaming now and occasionally, but it’s not a top priority. The B660 setup worries me about expansion options—especially PCI lanes—I’m unsure if 2x SATA (with SSD and HDD) plus an M.2 SSD, one PCI-express GPU, and likely a PCI card with USB ports would work. I’d like to keep some bandwidth for future upgrades, maybe a dedicated sound card. Two days ago I was pretty sure about the build, but now choosing a case is the real challenge. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Modern motherboards provide excellent audio capabilities, making sound cards largely unnecessary. Some even support surround sound and optical connectivity, so the need for a dedicated sound card diminishes. The Z-series remains useful only if you require specific IO or overclocking features; otherwise, it’s not essential. A 13500 MHz processor is a solid option, matching performance levels in gaming and productivity tasks. The 13600K offers slightly better speed but may be worth the cost only if you need overclocking. If budget allows, consider a B760 board such as the MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 (available on PCPartPicker). Alternatively, a b660 board without CPU BIOS updates could suffice.
I wouldn't aim for a 13600k on a B board since you can't properly underclock it, and it's essential even at stock levels to maintain temperature control in demanding situations. A 13500 is a better option, while 12600k is still a solid pick. How much RAM are you thinking of adding?
I came across this discussion on overclocking sites about the differences between B and Z models, especially regarding performance gains. Most B660 units don’t support significant undervolting, which might limit their potential for high-end gaming. Are similar limitations seen in the B760? Regarding your setup, yes—you can add another M.2 drive and a PCI expansion card with extra USB ports to reach two drives total. Your plan for 2x16 GB DDR4 3200 RAM sounds solid.