Core i7-7700 vs Xeon Gold 5122

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 i7-7700 vs Xeon Gold 5122 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 i7-7700 vs Xeon Gold 5122: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-7700

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Xeon Gold 5122 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Xeon Gold 5122.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,642 vs 8,867).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 17 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $272 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 5122 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 5122

2017

Why buy it

✅+2.6% higher PassMark.
✅+106.3% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-7700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-7700.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7700 better than Xeon Gold 5122?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 5122 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-7700 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 5122 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 106.3% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-7700 is the better buy right now. Core i7-7700 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $272 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 5122 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2.6% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (31.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 5122 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 106.3% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 8 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-7700 vs Xeon Gold 5122 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-7700

The Core i7-7700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,642 points. Launch price was $303.

Xeon Gold 5122

The Xeon Gold 5122 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 8,867 points. Launch price was $1,221.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-7700 and Xeon Gold 5122 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-7700 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5122 — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-7700 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-7700 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5122 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7700 scores 8,642 against the Xeon Gold 5122's 8,867 — a 2.6% lead for the Xeon Gold 5122. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-7700 vs 16.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5122.

Feature	Core i7-7700	Xeon Gold 5122
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+14%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	16.5 MB+106%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+6300%	4 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	8,642	8,867+3%
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,435	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-7700 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 5122 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-7700	Xeon Gold 5122
Socket	LGA1151	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-7700) / not specified (Xeon Gold 5122). The Core i7-7700 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon Gold 5122 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-7700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-7700 rivals Ryzen 5 1600.