Core i7-12700E vs EPYC 7303

Core i7-12700E vs EPYC 7303 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-12700E

12 / 20

28,302

0.0%

28,572

+1.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

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 i7-12700E vs EPYC 7303 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 EPYC 7303: 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

✅Better for gaming: +8.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while EPYC 7303 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7303, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $314 MSRP, while EPYC 7303 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

EPYC 7303

2023

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

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,000 vs 20,000).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700E better than EPYC 7303?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7303 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-12700E 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 i7-12700E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.6% 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 i7-12700E is the stronger fit. You are getting 11.1% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $314 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (90.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-12700E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of SP3 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 i7-12700E vs EPYC 7303 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.

EPYC 7303

The EPYC 7303 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 September 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 28,572 points. Launch price was $604.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700E packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the EPYC 7303 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 7303 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-12700E versus 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7303 — a 34.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700E (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-12700E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the EPYC 7303 uses Milan (2021−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700E scores 28,302 against the EPYC 7303's 28,572 — a 0.9% lead for the EPYC 7303. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 20,000 vs 18,000 (10.5% advantage for the Core i7-12700E). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,202 vs 1,960, a 11.6% lead for the Core i7-12700E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,981 vs 11,000 (8.5% advantage for the Core i7-12700E). L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700E vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7303.

Feature	Core i7-12700E	EPYC 7303
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	16 / 32+33%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+41%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.4 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+156%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm	7 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Milan (2021−2023)
PassMark	28,302	28,572
Cinebench R23 Multi	20,000+11%	18,000
Geekbench 6 Single	2,202+12%	1,960
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,981+9%	11,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 7303 uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-12700E versus DDR4-3200 on the EPYC 7303 — the Core i7-12700E supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7303 supports up to 204 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 59.4% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-12700E) vs 8 (EPYC 7303). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700E) vs 128 (EPYC 7303) — the EPYC 7303 offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: R680E,Q670,H610E (Core i7-12700E) and SP3 platform (EPYC 7303).

Feature	Core i7-12700E	EPYC 7303
Socket	LGA1700	SP3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200+50%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	204 GB+59%
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	128+540%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the EPYC 7303 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-12700E) vs AMD-V, SVM (EPYC 7303). The Core i7-12700E includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the EPYC 7303 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12700E targets Industrial Computing / Professional Desktop, EPYC 7303 targets High-frequency Server Workloads. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700E rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; EPYC 7303 rivals Xeon Gold 6334.

Feature	Core i7-12700E	EPYC 7303
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	Industrial Computing / Professional Desktop	High-frequency Server Workloads