The Intel Core i5-14500 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing more victories across the evaluated specifications. While the Intel Core i5-12600K maintains a notable lead in base clock speed, which is 42% higher than its counterpart, the Intel Core i5-14500 offers a more significant technical advantage. Its most impactful improvement is the L2 cache, which provides a 126% increase over the Intel Core i5-12600K, representing the primary differentiator between these two processors.

Users who prioritize raw base clock frequency for specific tasks should select the Intel Core i5-12600K to leverage its superior speed in that category. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-14500 is the better choice for those who benefit from the expanded L2 cache capacity and the higher number of winning specifications. Choosing between them depends on whether your workflow relies more heavily on the higher base clock of the former or the architectural advantages of the latter.