Core i7-12700 vs Core i7-12700F
Core i7-12700
Core i7-12700F
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. 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 Core i7-12700
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-12700F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-12700 | Core i7-12700F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($250) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($275) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-12700 | Core i7-12700F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+9%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($250) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($275) |
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 Core i7-12700 and Core i7-12700F
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.
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 |
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 | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 20 |
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 |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-12700 launched at $250 MSRP, while the Core i7-12700F debuted at $314. At current prices ($250 vs $275), the Core i7-12700 is $25 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700 delivers 120.2 pts/$ vs 110.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-12700F — making the Core i7-12700 the 8.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-12700 | Core i7-12700F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $250-20% | $314 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $250-9% | $275 |
| Performance per Dollar | 120.2+9% | 110.3 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2022 |
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