Core i7-12700K vs Celeron J3455E
Core i7-12700K
Celeron J3455E
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 i7-12700K
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-12700K | Celeron J3455E |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($285) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-12700K | Celeron J3455E |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($285) | ✅ 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 i7-12700K and Celeron J3455E
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.
Celeron J3455E
The Celeron J3455E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L/LPDDR3 up to 1866 MT/s; LPDDR4 up to 2400 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 2,193 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Celeron J3455E offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-12700K has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 2.3 GHz on the Celeron J3455E — a 74% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i7-12700K is built on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Celeron J3455E's 2,193 — a 176% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 2 MB on the Celeron J3455E.
| Feature | Core i7-12700K | Celeron J3455E |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 20+200% | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz+117% | 2.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+140% | 1.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 25 MB (total)+1150% | 2 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | — |
| Process | 10 nm-29% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) | — |
| PassMark | 34,347+1466% | 2,193 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 450 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 850 |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus DDR4-2400 on the Celeron J3455E — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-12700K supports up to 128 of RAM compared to 8 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700K) vs 6 (Celeron J3455E) — the Core i7-12700K offers 14 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and N/A (SoC) (Celeron J3455E).
| Feature | Core i7-12700K | Celeron J3455E |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | — |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 4800+119900% | DDR4-2400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 | 8 GB+6553500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+233% | 6 |
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 (Core i7-12700K) vs VT-x (Celeron J3455E). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) and HD Graphics 500 (Celeron J3455E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron J3455E targets Low Power. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; Celeron J3455E rivals Pentium J4205.
| Feature | Core i7-12700K | Celeron J3455E |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | HD Graphics 500 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Low Power |
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