Core i7-12700E vs Core i9-12900E

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 i7-12700E vs Core i9-12900E 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 i7-12700E vs Core i9-12900E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-12700E

2022

Why buy it

✅+49% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $186 less on MSRP ($314 MSRP vs $500 MSRP).
✅Delivers 60.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 90.1 vs 56.3 PassMark/$ ($314 MSRP vs $500 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).

Core i9-12900E

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (13,420 vs 20,000).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 56.3 vs 90.1 PassMark/$ ($500 MSRP vs $314 MSRP).

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-12900E is ahead with a 18.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700E pulls ahead with 49% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i9-12900E also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700E is the stronger fit. You are getting 49% 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 i7-12700E is the better buy right now. Core i7-12700E comes in $186 cheaper on MSRP at $314 MSRP versus $500 MSRP, and it still gives you 49% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i9-12900E is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 18.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 60.0% better value on MSRP (90.1 vs 56.3 PassMark/$), 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 i9-12900E is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i7-12700E vs Core i9-12900E Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-12700E

The Core i7-12700E 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 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 28,302 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-12900E

The Core i9-12900E 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 28,170 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-12700E packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-12900E offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900E has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-12700E versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900E — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900E (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). Both are built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture using a 10 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-12700E scores 28,302 against the Core i9-12900E's 28,170 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-12700E. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 20,000 vs 13,420 (39.4% advantage for the Core i7-12700E). Multi-core Geekbench: 11,981 vs 13,107 (9% advantage for the Core i9-12900E). L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700E vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900E.

Feature	Core i7-12700E	Core i9-12900E
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	16 / 24+33%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.3 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	28,302	28,170
Cinebench R23 Multi	20,000+49%	13,420
Geekbench 6 Single	2,202	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,981	13,107+9%

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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: R680E,Q670,H610E (Core i7-12700E) and LGA1700 (Core i9-12900E).

Feature	Core i7-12700E	Core i9-12900E
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 i9-12900E supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-12700E) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900E). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700E) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12900E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12700E targets Industrial Computing / Professional Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700E rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i7-12700E	Core i9-12900E
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	Industrial Computing / Professional Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-12700E was priced at $314, while the Core i9-12900E came in at $500. On launch pricing ($314 vs $500), Core i7-12700E was $186 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700E delivers 90.1 pts/$ vs 56.3 pts/$ for the Core i9-12900E — making the Core i7-12700E the 46.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-12700E	Core i9-12900E
MSRP	$314-37%	$500
Performance per Dollar	90.1+60%	56.3
Release Date	2022	2022

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