
Celeron 925 vs Core i7-12700K

Celeron 925

Core i7-12700K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Celeron 925 is positioned at rank #1202 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Celeron 925
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-12700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Celeron 925 | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($100) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($285) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 45 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Celeron 925 | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2196%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($100) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($285) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Celeron 925 and Core i7-12700K

Celeron 925
The Celeron 925 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Base frequency: 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 525 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i7-12700K
The Core i7-12700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 34,347 points. Launch price was $409.
Processing Power
The Core i7-12700K is built on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron 925 scores 525 against the Core i7-12700K's 34,347 — a 194% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache on the Celeron 925 vs 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K.
| Feature | Celeron 925 | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | — | 12 / 20 |
| Boost Clock | — | 5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 3.6 GHz+57% |
| L3 Cache | 1 MB L2 Cache | 25 MB (total)+2400% |
| L2 Cache | — | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 10 nm-78% |
| Architecture | — | Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) |
| PassMark | 525 | 34,347+6442% |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Celeron 925 versus 4800 on the Core i7-12700K — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-12700K supports up to 128 of RAM compared to 4 GB — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Celeron 925) vs 2 (Core i7-12700K). PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron 925) vs 20 (Core i7-12700K) — the Core i7-12700K offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GL40,GM45 (Celeron 925) and Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K).
| Feature | Celeron 925 | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | — | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 5.0+150% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | 4800+159900% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB+3276700% | 128 |
| RAM Channels | 1 | 2+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 20 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-12700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: No (Celeron 925) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K). The Core i7-12700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Celeron 925 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 925 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 925 rivals Pentium 4 2.80; Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.
| Feature | Celeron 925 | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | No | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
Value Analysis
The Celeron 925 launched at $100 MSRP, while the Core i7-12700K debuted at $409. At current prices ($100 vs $285), the Celeron 925 is $185 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 925 delivers 5.3 pts/$ vs 120.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-12700K — making the Core i7-12700K the 183.3% better value option.
| Feature | Celeron 925 | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $100-76% | $409 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $100-65% | $285 |
| Performance per Dollar | 5.3 | 120.5+2174% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2021 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.











