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: +24.1% higher average FPS across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 125W instead of 155W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Xeon E7-4890 v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 38 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E7-4890 v2, which brings 15 cores / 30 threads and 32 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Xeon E7-4890 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E7-4890 v2

2014

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (38 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 15 cores / 30 threads, plus 32 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (32 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (30,946 vs 34,347).
❌24% higher power demand at 155W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, 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

Xeon E7-4890 v2

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.1% higher average FPS across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 125W instead of 155W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Xeon E7-4890 v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (38 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 15 cores / 30 threads, plus 32 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (32 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 38 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E7-4890 v2, which brings 15 cores / 30 threads and 32 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Xeon E7-4890 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (30,946 vs 34,347).
❌24% higher power demand at 155W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, 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 Core i7-12700K better than Xeon E7-4890 v2?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon E7-4890 v2 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-12700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 24.1% more average FPS across 46 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 11% 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 the smarter buy today. Core i7-12700K is at an unclear MSRP at $409 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 24.1% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i7-12700K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2014), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 20 threads instead of 15/30. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

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

Xeon E7-4890 v2 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E7-4890 v2
1080p
low	314 FPS	186 FPS
medium	295 FPS	148 FPS
high	246 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	92 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	153 FPS
medium	225 FPS	119 FPS
high	182 FPS	92 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	73 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	72 FPS
medium	142 FPS	59 FPS
high	109 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	38 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon E7-4890 v2

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E7-4890 v2
1080p
low	630 FPS	368 FPS
medium	533 FPS	324 FPS
high	450 FPS	270 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	216 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	318 FPS
medium	475 FPS	282 FPS
high	403 FPS	238 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	184 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	199 FPS
medium	280 FPS	178 FPS
high	266 FPS	152 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	121 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon E7-4890 v2

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E7-4890 v2
1080p
low	797 FPS	774 FPS
medium	633 FPS	774 FPS
high	556 FPS	763 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	679 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	744 FPS
medium	565 FPS	638 FPS
high	490 FPS	605 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	537 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	479 FPS
medium	425 FPS	376 FPS
high	381 FPS	335 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	274 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon E7-4890 v2

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E7-4890 v2
1080p
low	859 FPS	774 FPS
medium	802 FPS	774 FPS
high	699 FPS	765 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	648 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	774 FPS
medium	678 FPS	686 FPS
high	590 FPS	586 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	493 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	581 FPS
medium	488 FPS	506 FPS
high	437 FPS	442 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	377 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon E7-4890 v2

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and Xeon E7-4890 v2

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.

Xeon E7-4890 v2

The Xeon E7-4890 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 15 cores and 30 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 155 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 30,946 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E7-4890 v2 offers 15 cores / 30 threads — the Xeon E7-4890 v2 has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 — a 38.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-12700K is built on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Xeon E7-4890 v2's 30,946 — a 10.4% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 37.5 MB on the Xeon E7-4890 v2.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E7-4890 v2
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	15 / 30+25%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+47%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+29%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	37.5 MB+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	—
PassMark	34,347+11%	30,946
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	6,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	730
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,500

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E7-4890 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E7-4890 v2 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 128 — 169.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-12700K) vs 4 (Xeon E7-4890 v2). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700K) vs 32 (Xeon E7-4890 v2) — the Xeon E7-4890 v2 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and C602 (Xeon E7-4890 v2).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E7-4890 v2
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+159900%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	128	1536 GB+1258291100%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	32+60%

🔧

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 (Core i7-12700K) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E7-4890 v2). The Core i7-12700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon E7-4890 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E7-4890 v2 targets Enterprise Server (Legacy). Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; Xeon E7-4890 v2 rivals Xeon E5-2697 v2.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E7-4890 v2
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Enterprise Server (Legacy)