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 i9-12900T 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 i9-12900T: 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

✅Costs $239 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $489 MSRP).
✅Delivers 98.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 120.2 vs 60.5 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $489 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-12900T.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (21,568 vs 22,809).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i9-12900T

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 60.5 vs 120.2 PassMark/$ ($489 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-12700.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900T better than Core i7-12700?

Yes. Core i9-12900T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 5.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-12900T is the stronger fit. You are getting 5.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).

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

Core i9-12900T is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-12700 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-12900T comes in 95.6% more expensive on MSRP at $489 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-12700 is also 98.6% better value on MSRP (120.2 vs 60.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i9-12900T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 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 i9-12900T 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 i9-12900T

The Core i9-12900T 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 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 29,601 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-12700 packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-12900T offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900T has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-12700 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-12900T — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.4 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 i9-12900T's 29,601 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i7-12700. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 21,568 vs 22,809 (5.6% advantage for the Core i9-12900T). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,497 vs 2,331, a 6.9% lead for the Core i7-12700 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,448 vs 12,116 (2.7% advantage for the Core i7-12700). L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700 vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900T.

Feature	Core i7-12700	Core i9-12900T
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	16 / 24+33%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+50%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+20%
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+2%	29,601
Cinebench R23 Multi	21,568	22,809+6%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,497+7%	2,331
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,448+3%	12,116

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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 LGA1700 (Core i9-12900T).

Feature	Core i7-12700	Core i9-12900T
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	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i9-12900T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i7-12700) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12900T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700 rivals Ryzen 7 5700X.

Feature	Core i7-12700	Core i9-12900T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x / VT-d / EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-12700 was priced at $250, while the Core i9-12900T came in at $489. On launch pricing ($250 vs $489), Core i7-12700 was $239 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700 delivers 120.2 pts/$ vs 60.5 pts/$ for the Core i9-12900T — making the Core i7-12700 the 66% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-12700	Core i9-12900T
MSRP	$250-49%	$489
Performance per Dollar	120.2+99%	60.5
Release Date	2022	2022

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