Core i7-2715QE vs Core i7-12700K

Core i7-2715QE

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3 GHz2011

Core i7-12700K

12 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5 GHz2021

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2715QE

4 / 8

3,221

0.0%

34,347

+966.3%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Core i7-2715QE is positioned at rank #1118 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2715QE

#1106

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3444%

#1107

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3393%

#1108

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3115%

#1109

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3101%

#1110

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3073%

#1112

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2967%

#1113

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2845%

#1114

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2840%

#1115

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2764%

#1118

Core i7-2715QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $50

100%

#1119

VIA Nano U2250

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

100%

#1121

Core i5-560M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

99%

#1122

Pentium U5600

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

98%

#1123

Core m5-6Y57

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

98%

#1125

Core i7-610E

MSRP: $250|Avg: $40

97%

#1126

Core i5-5350U

MSRP: $315|Avg: N/A

96%

#1127

Core i3-4100E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

96%

#1128

Core i7-3520M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

96%

#1129

Pentium Dual Core T4300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $99

96%

#1130

Core i3-2310E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $20

96%

#1131

Core i5-2510E

MSRP: $230|Avg: $30

96%

#1132

Core m5-6Y54

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1133

Core i3-2330E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $10

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-12700K

#113

Core i7-14700F

MSRP: $359|Avg: $330

104%

#114

Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G

MSRP: $89|Avg: $52

104%

#115

Core i9-14900K

MSRP: $589|Avg: $469

104%

#116

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE

MSRP: $146|Avg: $146

103%

#117

Core i7-13790F

MSRP: $392|Avg: $350

103%

#118

Core i5-14500

MSRP: $239|Avg: $251

103%

#119

Core i5-11600KF

MSRP: $237|Avg: $157

103%

#120

Ryzen 5 5600XT

MSRP: $192|Avg: $180

103%

#121

Core i5-13600

MSRP: $255|Avg: $255

102%

#122

Core i3-13100F

MSRP: $109|Avg: $119

102%

#123

Ryzen 5 5600G

MSRP: $259|Avg: $160

102%

#124

Core Ultra 9 285K

MSRP: $589|Avg: $550

102%

#125

Core i5-13400E

MSRP: $221|Avg: $221

101%

#126

Ryzen 7 8700F

MSRP: $270|Avg: $257

101%

#127

Core i9-14900KF

MSRP: $564|Avg: $480

101%

#128

Core i7-12700K

MSRP: $409|Avg: $285

100%

#129

Core i9-13900KF

MSRP: $599|Avg: $480

100%

#130

Core i7-12700

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

100%

#131

Core Ultra 5 245T

MSRP: $270|Avg: $270

100%

#132

Core i5-8500

MSRP: $192|Avg: $80

99%

#133

Core i5-9400F

MSRP: $182|Avg: $80

98%

#134

Core i5-11400

MSRP: $182|Avg: $141

98%

#135

Core i5-13600K

MSRP: $329|Avg: $319

98%

#136

Core i5-13500

MSRP: $242|Avg: $264

98%

#137

Ryzen 7 8700G

MSRP: $329|Avg: $269

98%

#138

Core i7-14700

MSRP: $384|Avg: $348

98%

#139

Ryzen 5 2500X

MSRP: $159|Avg: $80

97%

#140

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE

MSRP: $100|Avg: $60

97%

#141

Core i9-13900K

MSRP: $599|Avg: $500

97%

#142

Core i3-14100

MSRP: $134|Avg: $131

96%

#143

Ryzen 5 3400G

MSRP: $149|Avg: $80

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i7-12700K (2021) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-2715QE	Core i7-12700K
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($50)	⚠️ Higher cost ($285)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2715QE (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and **unknown Dual-channel**, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-2715QE	Core i7-12700K
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+87%)
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($50)	⚠️ Higher cost ($285)

Performance Check

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 i7-2715QE Benchmark Check

Core i7-12700K Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2715QE and Core i7-12700K

Core i7-2715QE

The Core i7-2715QE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 3,221 points. Launch price was $378.

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

The Core i7-2715QE packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-12700K offers 12 cores / 20 threads — the Core i7-12700K has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-2715QE versus 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K — a 50% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-2715QE uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-12700K uses Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2715QE scores 3,221 against the Core i7-12700K's 34,347 — a 165.7% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2715QE vs 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K.

Feature	Core i7-2715QE	Core i7-12700K
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	12 / 20+200%
Boost Clock	3 GHz	5 GHz+67%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+71%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+317%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	32 nm	10 nm-69%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
PassMark	3,221	34,347+966%
Geekbench 6 Single	587	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2715QE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-12700K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-2715QE versus 4800 on the Core i7-12700K — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-12700K supports up to 128 of RAM compared to 16 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2715QE) vs 20 (Core i7-12700K) — the Core i7-12700K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: QM67,HM65 (Core i7-2715QE) and Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K).

Feature	Core i7-2715QE	Core i7-12700K
Socket	BGA1023	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	4800+159900%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+13107100%	128
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	✅	✅
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

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 i7-2715QE) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2715QE) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2715QE targets Embedded/Industrial. Direct competitor: Core i7-2715QE rivals Embedded R-Series; Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i7-2715QE	Core i7-12700K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 3000	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Embedded/Industrial	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-2715QE launched at $378 MSRP, while the Core i7-12700K debuted at $409. At current prices ($50 vs $285), the Core i7-2715QE is $235 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2715QE delivers 64.4 pts/$ vs 120.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-12700K — making the Core i7-12700K the 60.7% better value option.