i7-12700KF vs i9-7900X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-7900X
2017
10 cores / 20 threads, 140 Watt
13.76
Core i7-12700KF
2021
12 cores / 20 threads, 125 Watt
22.43
+63%

Core i7-12700KF outperforms Core i9-7900X by an impressive 63% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7900X and Core i7-12700KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking556239
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation3.0444.48
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i9 (Desktop)Intel Core i7
Power efficiency8.9616.36
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2019)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date30 May 2017 (7 years ago)27 October 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$999$384

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-12700KF has 1363% better value for money than i9-7900X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7900X 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 cores10 (Deca-Core)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads2020
Base clock speed3.3 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz5 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0DMI 4.0
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier3336
L1 cache640 KB384 KB
L2 cache10 MB2 MB
L3 cache13.75 MB1 MB
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die sizeno data215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature95 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7900X 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketSocket R4FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7900X 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 i9-7900X and Core i7-12700KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7900X 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 i9-7900X and Core i7-12700KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/s76.805 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/Ano data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i7-12700KF.

PCIe version3.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes4420

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.

i9-7900X 13.76
i7-12700KF 22.43
+63%

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.

i9-7900X 21065
i7-12700KF 34330
+63%

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.

i9-7900X 1439
i7-12700KF 2543
+76.7%

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.

i9-7900X 8823
i7-12700KF 13730
+55.6%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 13.76 22.43
Recency 30 May 2017 27 October 2021
Physical cores 10 12
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 125 Watt

i7-12700KF has a 63% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 4 years, 20% more physical cores, and 12% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-12700KF is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-7900X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7900X and Core i7-12700KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i9-7900X
Core i9-7900X
Intel Core i7-12700KF
Core i7-12700KF

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4 212 votes

Rate Core i9-7900X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.3 1112 votes

Rate Core i7-12700KF on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i9-7900X or Core i7-12700KF, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.