Core i7-12700 vs Core i9-13905H

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 i9-13905H 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 i9-13905H: 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

✅+11.3% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-13905H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13905H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Core i9-13905H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i9-13905H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (19,384 vs 21,568).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-12700.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13905H better than Core i7-12700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-13905H is ahead with a 6.7% 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 11.3% 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 11.3% 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 i9-13905H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-12700 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-13905H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-12700 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 11.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i7-12700 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (120.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-13905H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-12700 vs Core i9-13905H 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 i9-13905H

The Core i9-13905H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1792. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 29,807 points. Launch price was $697.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-12700 packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-13905H offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-13905H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-12700 versus 5.4 GHz on the Core i9-13905H — a 9.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-13905H (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-12700 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-13905H uses Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700 scores 30,055 against the Core i9-13905H's 29,807 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-12700. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 21,568 vs 19,384 (10.7% advantage for the Core i7-12700). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,497 vs 2,300, a 8.2% lead for the Core i7-12700 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,448 vs 14,000 (11.7% advantage for the Core i9-13905H). L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700 vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-13905H.

Feature	Core i7-12700	Core i9-13905H
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	14 / 20+17%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5.4 GHz+10%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.6 GHz+24%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)+4%	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)
PassMark	30,055	29,807
Cinebench R23 Multi	21,568+11%	19,384
Geekbench 6 Single	2,497+9%	2,300
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,448	14,000+12%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-13905H uses FCBGA1792 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-12700 versus DDR5-5200 on the Core i9-13905H — the Core i9-13905H supports 8.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-12700 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700) vs 12 (Core i9-13905H) — the Core i7-12700 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,Z790 (Core i7-12700) and WM790,HM770 (Core i9-13905H).

Feature	Core i7-12700	Core i9-13905H
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1792
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200	DDR5-5200+8%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20+67%	12

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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 (Core i9-13905H). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700) and Iris Xe 96EU (Core i9-13905H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12700 targets Gaming, Core i9-13905H targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700 rivals Ryzen 7 5700X; Core i9-13905H rivals Ryzen 9 7940HS.

Feature	Core i7-12700	Core i9-13905H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Iris Xe 96EU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x / VT-d / EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Workstation