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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-12700F

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $95 less on MSRP ($314 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Delivers 15.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 96.6 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($314 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Laminar RM1), unlike Core i7-12700K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (30,332 vs 34,347).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-12700K

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core i7-12700F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 84.0 vs 96.6 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $314 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-12700F.

Core i7-12700F

2022

Core i7-12700K

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $95 less on MSRP ($314 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Delivers 15.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 96.6 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($314 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Laminar RM1), unlike Core i7-12700K.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core i7-12700F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (30,332 vs 34,347).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 84.0 vs 96.6 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $314 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-12700F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700K better than Core i7-12700F?

Yes. Core i7-12700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 17.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data and 13.2% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-12700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 17.9% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700K is the better fit. You are getting 13.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i7-12700K is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-12700F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i7-12700K is 30.3% more expensive on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $314 MSRP, and it gives you a 17.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-12700F is also 15.0% better value on MSRP (96.6 vs 84.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Core i7-12700F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-12700F Benchmark Check

Core i7-12700K Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700F	Core i7-12700K
1080p
low	262 FPS	314 FPS
medium	252 FPS	295 FPS
high	211 FPS	246 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	193 FPS
1440p
low	228 FPS	269 FPS
medium	196 FPS	225 FPS
high	159 FPS	182 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	145 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	170 FPS
medium	136 FPS	142 FPS
high	105 FPS	109 FPS
ultra	93 FPS	96 FPS

Open Core i7-12700F Open Core i7-12700K

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700F	Core i7-12700K
1080p
low	312 FPS	630 FPS
medium	265 FPS	533 FPS
high	224 FPS	450 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	410 FPS
1440p
low	257 FPS	536 FPS
medium	228 FPS	475 FPS
high	198 FPS	403 FPS
ultra	172 FPS	349 FPS
4K
low	157 FPS	312 FPS
medium	141 FPS	280 FPS
high	133 FPS	266 FPS
ultra	118 FPS	234 FPS

Open Core i7-12700F Open Core i7-12700K

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700F	Core i7-12700K
1080p
low	758 FPS	797 FPS
medium	615 FPS	633 FPS
high	545 FPS	556 FPS
ultra	462 FPS	472 FPS
1440p
low	689 FPS	704 FPS
medium	553 FPS	565 FPS
high	483 FPS	490 FPS
ultra	415 FPS	422 FPS
4K
low	498 FPS	510 FPS
medium	416 FPS	425 FPS
high	373 FPS	381 FPS
ultra	314 FPS	321 FPS

Open Core i7-12700F Open Core i7-12700K

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700F	Core i7-12700K
1080p
low	758 FPS	859 FPS
medium	758 FPS	802 FPS
high	672 FPS	699 FPS
ultra	597 FPS	628 FPS
1440p
low	738 FPS	760 FPS
medium	657 FPS	678 FPS
high	566 FPS	590 FPS
ultra	493 FPS	519 FPS
4K
low	519 FPS	535 FPS
medium	473 FPS	488 FPS
high	419 FPS	437 FPS
ultra	364 FPS	384 FPS

Open Core i7-12700F Open Core i7-12700K

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700F and Core i7-12700K

Core i7-12700F

The Core i7-12700F 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 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: 30,332 points. Launch price was $386.

Core i7-12700K

The Core i7-12700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 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): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 34,347 points. Launch price was $409.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-12700F and Core i7-12700K share an identical 12-core/20-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-12700F versus 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-12700F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-12700K uses Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700F scores 30,332 against the Core i7-12700K's 34,347 — a 12.4% lead for the Core i7-12700K. Both processors carry 25 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-12700F	Core i7-12700K
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	12 / 20
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+71%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
PassMark	30,332	34,347+13%
Cinebench R23 Multi	21,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,388	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,448	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12700F versus 4800 on the Core i7-12700K — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760,Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700F) and Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K).

Feature	Core i7-12700F	Core i7-12700K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	4800+95900%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+104857500%	128
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-12700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-12700F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K). The Core i7-12700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i7-12700F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12700F targets High-performance Gaming / Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700F rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i7-12700F	Core i7-12700K
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	High-performance Gaming / Productivity	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700F launched at $314 MSRP, while the Core i7-12700K debuted at $409. On MSRP ($314 vs $409), the Core i7-12700F is $95 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700F delivers 96.6 pts/$ vs 84.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-12700K — making the Core i7-12700F the 14% better value option.