The Intel Core i5-12400 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in seven of the fourteen evaluated specifications. While the Intel Core i5-11600K maintains a notable lead in base clock speed, which is 56% higher than its counterpart, the Intel Core i5-12400 offers a more significant technical advantage. The latter component provides a 150% larger L2 cache, representing the most impactful performance improvement between the two processors.

Users who prioritize high base clock speeds for specific operational requirements should select the Intel Core i5-11600K. Conversely, those who benefit from a substantially larger L2 cache should choose the Intel Core i5-12400. Given that the Intel Core i5-12400 leads in the majority of the measured specifications, it serves as the more versatile option for general computing needs, while the Intel Core i5-11600K remains a specialized choice based on its specific clock frequency advantage.