Core i7-12700 vs Core i7-12700F

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.

Core i7-12700 vs Core i7-12700F FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-12700 vs Core i7-12700F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-12700

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $64 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $314 MSRP).
✅Delivers 24.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 120.2 vs 96.6 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $314 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core i7-12700F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i7-12700F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (21,500 vs 21,568).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 96.6 vs 120.2 PassMark/$ ($314 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700 better than Core i7-12700F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-12700F is ahead with a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700 pulls ahead with 0.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-12700 is the better buy right now. Core i7-12700 comes in $64 cheaper on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $314 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i7-12700F is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 24.5% better value on MSRP (120.2 vs 96.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-12700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 20 threads instead of 12/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-12700 vs Core i7-12700F Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-12700

The Core i7-12700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 30,055 points. Launch price was $349.

Core i7-12700F

The Core i7-12700F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 30,332 points. Launch price was $386.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-12700 and Core i7-12700F share an identical 12-core/20-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-12700 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-12700F — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). Both are built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-12700 scores 30,055 against the Core i7-12700F's 30,332 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-12700F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 21,568 vs 21,500 (0.3% advantage for the Core i7-12700). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,497 vs 2,388, a 4.5% lead for the Core i7-12700 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,448 vs 12,448 (0% advantage for the Core i7-12700F). Both processors carry 25 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-12700	Core i7-12700F
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	12 / 20
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	30,055	30,332
Cinebench R23 Multi	21,568	21,500
Geekbench 6 Single	2,497+5%	2,388
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,448	12,448

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,Z790 (Core i7-12700) and Z790,B760,Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700F).

Feature	Core i7-12700	Core i7-12700F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i7-12700) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-12700F). The Core i7-12700 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i7-12700F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12700 targets Gaming, Core i7-12700F targets High-performance Gaming / Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700 rivals Ryzen 7 5700X; Core i7-12700F rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i7-12700	Core i7-12700F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x / VT-d / EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	High-performance Gaming / Productivity

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-12700 was priced at $250, while the Core i7-12700F came in at $314. On launch pricing ($250 vs $314), Core i7-12700 was $64 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700 delivers 120.2 pts/$ vs 96.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-12700F — making the Core i7-12700 the 21.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-12700	Core i7-12700F
MSRP	$250-20%	$314
Performance per Dollar	120.2+24%	96.6
Release Date	2022	2022

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