Core i7-12700F vs EPYC 7371

Intel

Core i7-12700F

12 Cores20 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2022
Core family
·······
VS
AMD

EPYC 7371

16 Cores32 Thrd200 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2018
EPYC family
·······

Core i7-12700F vs EPYC 7371 Performance Spectrum

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 i7-12700F 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 i7-12700F 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 i7-12700F

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 65W instead of 200W, a 135W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Laminar RM1), 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 $314 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

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,000 vs 21,500).
  • 207.7% higher power demand at 200W vs 65W.
  • Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-12700F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700F 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 i7-12700F 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 i7-12700F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.9% 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 i7-12700F is the stronger fit. You are getting 43.3% 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 i7-12700F is the better buy right now. Core i7-12700F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $314 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (96.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-12700F 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 i7-12700F vs EPYC 7371 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

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.

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700F 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 i7-12700F versus 3.8 GHz on the EPYC 7371 — a 25.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700F (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-12700F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 7371 uses Naples (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700F scores 30,332 against the EPYC 7371's 30,156 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-12700F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 21,500 vs 15,000 (35.6% advantage for the Core i7-12700F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,388 vs 1,216, a 65% lead for the Core i7-12700F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,448 vs 6,941 (56.8% advantage for the Core i7-12700F). L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700F vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7371.

FeatureCore i7-12700FEPYC 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
30,332
30,156
Cinebench R23 Multi
21,500+43%
15,000
Geekbench 6 Single
2,388+96%
1,216
Geekbench 6 Multi
12,448+79%
6,941
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700F 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 on the Core i7-12700F versus DDR4-2666 on the EPYC 7371 — the Core i7-12700F 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 i7-12700F) vs 8 (EPYC 7371). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700F) vs 128 (EPYC 7371) — the EPYC 7371 offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760,Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700F) and SP3 platform (EPYC 7371).

FeatureCore i7-12700FEPYC 7371
Socket
LGA1700
TR4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800+80%
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
2048 GB+1500%
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
128+540%
🔧

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 i7-12700F) vs AMD-V, SVM (EPYC 7371). Primary use case: Core i7-12700F targets High-performance Gaming / Productivity, EPYC 7371 targets High-frequency Server Workloads. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700F rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; EPYC 7371 rivals Xeon Gold 6134.

FeatureCore i7-12700FEPYC 7371
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V, SVM
Target Use
High-performance Gaming / Productivity
High-frequency Server Workloads