i7-12700KF vs i9-10980XE

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-10980XE
2019
18 cores / 36 threads, 165 Watt
20.57
Core i7-12700KF
2021
12 cores / 20 threads, 125 Watt
21.59
+5%

Core i7-12700KF outperforms Core i9-10980XE by a small 5% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-12700KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking272247
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation11.7344.05
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i7
Power efficiency11.8016.35
Architecture codenameCascade Lake-X (2019)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date19 October 2019 (5 years ago)27 October 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$979$384

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-12700KF has 276% better value for money than i9-10980XE.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-12700KF basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores18 (Octadeca-Core)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads3620
Base clock speed3 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed4.8 GHz5 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 4.0
Bus rate8 GT/s DMI3 MHz8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplierno data36
L1 cache64K (per core)384 KB
L2 cache1 MB (per core)2 MB
L3 cache24.75 MB (shared)1 MB
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die sizeno data215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature86 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-12700KF compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA2066FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-12700KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0++
Deep Learning Boost++

Security technologies

Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-12700KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-12700KF are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-12700KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size256 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth94 GB/s76.805 GB/s

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-12700KF.

PCIe version3.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes4820

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i9-10980XE 20.57
i7-12700KF 21.59
+5%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i9-10980XE 32670
i7-12700KF 34293
+5%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i9-10980XE 1600
i7-12700KF 2542
+58.9%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i9-10980XE 12197
i7-12700KF 13726
+12.5%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 20.57 21.59
Recency 19 October 2019 27 October 2021
Physical cores 18 12
Threads 36 20
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 125 Watt

i9-10980XE has 50% more physical cores and 80% more threads.

i7-12700KF, on the other hand, has a 5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, and 32% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-12700KF.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-12700KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i9-10980XE
Core i9-10980XE
Intel Core i7-12700KF
Core i7-12700KF

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Community ratings

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