Core i7-12700TE vs Core i9-10900F

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 i7-12700TE vs Core i9-10900F 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 i7-12700TE vs Core i9-10900F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-12700TE

2022

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Costs $86 less on MSRP ($378 MSRP vs $464 MSRP).
✅Delivers 22.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 52.2 vs 42.7 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $464 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10900F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,744 vs 19,800).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-10900F.

Core i9-10900F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-12700TE.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.7 vs 52.2 PassMark/$ ($464 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700TE moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900F better than Core i7-12700TE?

Yes. Core i9-10900F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-10900F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.7% 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 i9-10900F is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-10900F is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-12700TE is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-10900F comes in 22.8% more expensive on MSRP at $464 MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-12700TE is also 22.4% better value on MSRP (52.2 vs 42.7 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i7-12700TE can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Core i7-12700TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and 25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-12700TE vs Core i9-10900F Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-12700TE

The Core i7-12700TE 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 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 19,744 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-10900F

The Core i9-10900F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 19,800 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-12700TE packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-10900F offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i7-12700TE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-12700TE versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10900F — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900F (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-12700TE uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-10900F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700TE scores 19,744 against the Core i9-10900F's 19,800 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i9-10900F. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700TE vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900F.

Feature	Core i7-12700TE	Core i9-10900F
Cores / Threads	12 / 20+20%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	5.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	2.8 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)+25%	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	19,744	19,800
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	13,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,701
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,456

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700TE uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-10900F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-12700TE	Core i9-10900F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-12700TE) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10900F). Primary use case: Core i9-10900F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i9-10900F rivals Ryzen 7 3800X.

Feature	Core i7-12700TE	Core i9-10900F
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-12700TE was priced at $378, while the Core i9-10900F came in at $464. On launch pricing ($378 vs $464), Core i7-12700TE was $86 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700TE delivers 52.2 pts/$ vs 42.7 pts/$ for the Core i9-10900F — making the Core i7-12700TE the 20.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-12700TE	Core i9-10900F
MSRP	$378-19%	$464
Performance per Dollar	52.2+22%	42.7
Release Date	2022	2020

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