Core i9-7940X vs Core i7-12700H
Core i9-7940X
Core i7-12700H
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-7940X
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-12700H
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-7940X | Core i7-12700H |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($275) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-H (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-7940X | Core i7-12700H |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($275) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-7940X and Core i7-12700H
Core i9-7940X
The Core i9-7940X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 25,452 points. Launch price was $1,399.
Core i7-12700H
The Core i7-12700H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 25,365 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i9-7940X packs 14 cores / 28 threads, matching the Core i7-12700H's 14 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7940X versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-12700H — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700H (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i9-7940X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-12700H uses Alder Lake-H (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7940X scores 25,452 against the Core i7-12700H's 25,365 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i9-7940X. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-7940X vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700H.
| Feature | Core i9-7940X | Core i7-12700H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 28 | 14 / 20 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.7 GHz+7% |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+35% | 2.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 19.25 MB (total) | 24 MB (total)+25% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+25% |
| Process | 14 nm | Intel 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Alder Lake-H (2022) |
| PassMark | 25,452 | 25,365 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 15,453 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,648 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 12,802 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-7940X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-12700H uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i9-7940X | Core i7-12700H |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2066 | FCBGA1744 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-7940X) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700H). The Core i7-12700H includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe 96EU), while the Core i9-7940X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12700H targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700H rivals Ryzen 7 6800H.
| Feature | Core i9-7940X | Core i7-12700H |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Iris Xe 96EU |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Workstation |
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