Core i7-12700 vs EPYC 7371

CPU

GPU

Core i7-12700

12 Cores20 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2022

Core family

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EPYC 7371

16 Cores32 Thrd200 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2018

EPYC family

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Core i7-12700 vs EPYC 7371 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-12700

12 / 20

30,055

0.0%

30,156

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

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.

Core i7-12700 vs EPYC 7371 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 EPYC 7371: 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

✅+105.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 65W instead of 200W, a 135W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while EPYC 7371 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 7371.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7371, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while EPYC 7371 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

EPYC 7371

2018

Why buy it

✅+156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,216 vs 2,497).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,000 vs 21,568).
❌207.7% higher power demand at 200W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌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 EPYC 7371?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7371 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-12700 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-12700 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% 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 i7-12700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 43.8% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $250 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (120.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of TR4, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 20 threads instead of 16/32. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-12700 vs EPYC 7371 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.

EPYC 7371

The EPYC 7371 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 November 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 170 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,156 points. Launch price was $1,550.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-12700 packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the EPYC 7371 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 7371 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-12700 versus 3.8 GHz on the EPYC 7371 — a 25.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-12700 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 7371 uses Naples (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700 scores 30,055 against the EPYC 7371's 30,156 — a 0.3% lead for the EPYC 7371. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 21,568 vs 15,000 (35.9% advantage for the Core i7-12700). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,497 vs 1,216, a 69% lead for the Core i7-12700 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,448 vs 6,941 (56.8% advantage for the Core i7-12700). L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700 vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7371.

Feature	Core i7-12700	EPYC 7371
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	16 / 32+33%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+29%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.1 GHz+48%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+156%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+40860%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Naples (2017−2018)
PassMark	30,055	30,156
Cinebench R23 Multi	21,568+44%	15,000
Geekbench 6 Single	2,497+105%	1,216
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,448+79%	6,941

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 7371 uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-12700 versus DDR4-2666 on the EPYC 7371 — the Core i7-12700 supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7371 supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-12700) vs 8 (EPYC 7371). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700) vs 128 (EPYC 7371) — the EPYC 7371 offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,Z790 (Core i7-12700) and SP3 platform (EPYC 7371).

Feature	Core i7-12700	EPYC 7371
Socket	LGA1700	TR4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200+80%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	2048 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	128+540%

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Advanced Features

Only the EPYC 7371 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i7-12700) vs AMD-V, SVM (EPYC 7371). The Core i7-12700 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the EPYC 7371 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12700 targets Gaming, EPYC 7371 targets High-frequency Server Workloads. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700 rivals Ryzen 7 5700X; EPYC 7371 rivals Xeon Gold 6134.

Feature	Core i7-12700	EPYC 7371
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x / VT-d / EPT	AMD-V, SVM
Target Use	Gaming	High-frequency Server Workloads