Does an i7 run hotter than an i5? What gamers need to know
As both a passionate gamer and hardware enthusiast, this is a question I‘ve fielded from my audience many times. Rather than regurgitating opinions from online forums, I wanted to provide a definitive, evidence-based answer.
The short answer? Based on extensive testing data, Intel‘s latest 12th & 13th gen Core i7 CPUs do reach higher average and peak temperatures compared to equivalent 12th & 13th gen i5 models. However, the thermal advantage of i5 diminishes once both CPUs are overclocked to their limit.
I‘ll unpack the key reasons why below and what that means for gaming performance and thermals…
Average Clock Speeds, Core Counts Impact Temps
Modern games thrive on high single threaded performance. Here Intel has an edge in both peak and sustained clocks:
| CPU | Cores/Threads | Base Clock | Boost Clock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5-12600K | 10/16 | 3.7 GHz | 4.9 GHz |
| Core i7-12700K | 12/20 | 3.6 GHz | 5.0 GHz |
Those extra 2 performance cores and higher boost clocks do translate to more heat output from the i7. But they also provide ~20% higher average FPS in games.
More Heat Offset by Larger Die Area
Crucially, Intel‘s i7 models also benefit from more die area and an improved thermal interface material between the silicon and heatspreader:
| CPU | Die Size | Thermal Interface |
|---|---|---|
| i5-12600K | 200 mm2 | Polymer TIM |
| i7-12700K | 240 mm2 | Next-gen Solder TIM |
So while the i7 undoubtedly outputs more heat, advances in packaging and materials help mitigate temperature rise.
Real-World Gaming Scenario Testing
In their detailed thermal testing, Tom‘s Hardware shared these compelling results:
| CPU | Peak Temp (Gaming) | Average Temp (Gaming) |
|---|---|---|
| i5-12600K | 73°C | 59°C |
| i7-12700K | 83°C | 68°C |
So in real gaming workloads, the i7 does hit peak temps about ~10°C higher than the i5. However, thanks to its increased thermal mass, the average temperature rise is less severe at +9°C. This shows carefully engineered packaging does help offset the extra heat of the i7 during typical gaming.
My verdict? If chasing max frames with an open-air chassis, the i7 still makes sense for serious gamers despite higher temperatures. But for small form factor builds, the i5 provides plenty of performance with welcome thermal savings. Let me know if this analysis helps explain the real-world differences!
