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 i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $109 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i9-12900F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 35,873).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 72.6 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Core i9-12900F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +43.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 94.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 72.6 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($494 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌
28.3% HIGHER MSRP
$494 MSRPvs$385 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Core i9-12900F

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $109 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i9-12900F needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +43.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 94.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 72.6 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($494 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 35,873).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 72.6 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Trade-offs

❌
28.3% HIGHER MSRP
$494 MSRPvs$385 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900F better than Core i7-9700K?

Yes. Core i9-12900F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 43.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 149.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 43.9% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-12900F is the better fit. You are getting 149.2% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-12900F is the smarter buy today. Core i9-12900F is 28.3% more expensive on MSRP at $494 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it gives you a 43.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 94.2% better value on MSRP (72.6 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), 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 i9-12900F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 8/8. 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 i7-9700K Benchmark Check

Core i9-12900F Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-12900F
1080p
low	308 FPS	269 FPS
medium	278 FPS	259 FPS
high	231 FPS	214 FPS
ultra	182 FPS	184 FPS
1440p
low	270 FPS	230 FPS
medium	221 FPS	198 FPS
high	178 FPS	159 FPS
ultra	143 FPS	140 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	159 FPS
medium	140 FPS	136 FPS
high	108 FPS	106 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	93 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i9-12900F

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-12900F
1080p
low	360 FPS	616 FPS
medium	321 FPS	526 FPS
high	291 FPS	441 FPS
ultra	259 FPS	399 FPS
1440p
low	324 FPS	531 FPS
medium	282 FPS	470 FPS
high	258 FPS	397 FPS
ultra	225 FPS	340 FPS
4K
low	249 FPS	310 FPS
medium	221 FPS	281 FPS
high	208 FPS	266 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	232 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i9-12900F

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-12900F
1080p
low	360 FPS	775 FPS
medium	360 FPS	619 FPS
high	360 FPS	545 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	462 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	692 FPS
medium	360 FPS	560 FPS
high	360 FPS	487 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	416 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	498 FPS
medium	360 FPS	418 FPS
high	360 FPS	378 FPS
ultra	318 FPS	319 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i9-12900F

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-12900F
1080p
low	360 FPS	894 FPS
medium	360 FPS	809 FPS
high	360 FPS	696 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	626 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	765 FPS
medium	360 FPS	681 FPS
high	360 FPS	586 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	517 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	524 FPS
medium	360 FPS	475 FPS
high	360 FPS	423 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	369 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i9-12900F

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-9700K and Core i9-12900F

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

Core i9-12900F

The Core i9-12900F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 35,873 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i9-12900F offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900F has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-12900F — a 4% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900F (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-12900F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Core i9-12900F's 35,873 — a 85.4% lead for the Core i9-12900F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900F.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-12900F
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	16 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5.1 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+50%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	14,397	35,873+149%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-12900F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus 4800 on the Core i9-12900F — the Core i9-12900F supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 20 (Core i9-12900F) — the Core i9-12900F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and Z690,B660 (Core i9-12900F).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-12900F
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	4800+119900%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+104857500%	128
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i9-12900F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i9-12900F rivals Ryzen 9 5900X.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-12900F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	None
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-9700K launched at $385 MSRP, while the Core i9-12900F debuted at $494. On MSRP ($385 vs $494), the Core i7-9700K is $109 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 72.6 pts/$ for the Core i9-12900F — making the Core i9-12900F the 64% better value option.