Core i7-12700K vs EPYC 7303P

CPU

GPU

Core i7-12700K

12 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5 GHz2021

Popular choices:

•••••••••

EPYC 7303P

16 Cores32 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023

Popular choices:

••i7-12700K•••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-12700K

12 / 20

34,347

0.0%

36,487

+6.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

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.

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 i7-12700K

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $185 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $594 MSRP).
✅Delivers 36.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 61.4 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $594 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while EPYC 7303P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (34,347 vs 36,487).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7303P, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 7303P

2023

Why buy it

✅+6.2% higher PassMark.
✅+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 i7-12700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.4 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($594 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-12700K

2021

EPYC 7303P

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $185 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $594 MSRP).
✅Delivers 36.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 61.4 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $594 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while EPYC 7303P needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+6.2% higher PassMark.
✅+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 PassMark (34,347 vs 36,487).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7303P, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.4 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($594 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

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

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 7303P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-12700K is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7303P is the better fit. You are getting 6.2% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).

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

EPYC 7303P is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-12700K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. EPYC 7303P is 45.2% more expensive on MSRP at $594 MSRP versus $409 MSRP, and it gives you 6.2% better PassMark. The trade-off is that Core i7-12700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 28.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-12700K is also 36.7% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 61.4 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

EPYC 7303P is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), 156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB), more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 12/20, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

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 i7-12700K Benchmark Check

EPYC 7303P Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 7303P
1080p
low	314 FPS	159 FPS
medium	295 FPS	130 FPS
high	246 FPS	109 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	86 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	141 FPS
medium	225 FPS	113 FPS
high	182 FPS	89 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	71 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	68 FPS
medium	142 FPS	57 FPS
high	109 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	37 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open EPYC 7303P

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 7303P
1080p
low	630 FPS	390 FPS
medium	533 FPS	346 FPS
high	450 FPS	283 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	225 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	329 FPS
medium	475 FPS	297 FPS
high	403 FPS	251 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	192 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	203 FPS
medium	280 FPS	186 FPS
high	266 FPS	158 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	127 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open EPYC 7303P

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 7303P
1080p
low	797 FPS	644 FPS
medium	633 FPS	526 FPS
high	556 FPS	469 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	411 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	499 FPS
medium	565 FPS	406 FPS
high	490 FPS	356 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	310 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	368 FPS
medium	425 FPS	286 FPS
high	381 FPS	244 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	197 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open EPYC 7303P

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 7303P
1080p
low	859 FPS	885 FPS
medium	802 FPS	806 FPS
high	699 FPS	696 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	610 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	696 FPS
medium	678 FPS	608 FPS
high	590 FPS	521 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	446 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	498 FPS
medium	488 FPS	445 FPS
high	437 FPS	390 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	337 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open EPYC 7303P

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and EPYC 7303P

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.

EPYC 7303P

The EPYC 7303P 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: 36,487 points. Launch price was $594.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the EPYC 7303P offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 7303P has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7303P — a 38.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-12700K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the EPYC 7303P uses Milan (2021−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the EPYC 7303P's 36,487 — a 6% lead for the EPYC 7303P. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7303P.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 7303P
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	16 / 32+33%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+47%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+50%	2.4 GHz
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, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Milan (2021−2023)
PassMark	34,347	36,487+6%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 7303P uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus 3200 on the EPYC 7303P — the Core i7-12700K supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7303P supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 128 — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-12700K) vs 8 (EPYC 7303P). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700K) vs 128 (EPYC 7303P) — the EPYC 7303P offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and SP3 (EPYC 7303P).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 7303P
Socket	LGA1700	SP3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+50%	3200
Max RAM Capacity	128	4096+3100%
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	128+540%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-12700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the EPYC 7303P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K) vs AMD-V, IOMMU (EPYC 7303P). The Core i7-12700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the EPYC 7303P requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; EPYC 7303P rivals Xeon Gold 6330.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 7303P
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	None
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V, IOMMU

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the EPYC 7303P debuted at $594. On MSRP ($409 vs $594), the Core i7-12700K is $185 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700K delivers 84.0 pts/$ vs 61.4 pts/$ for the EPYC 7303P — making the Core i7-12700K the 31% better value option.