i7-12700K vs i9-9900X

#ad 
Buy on Amazon
VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-9900X
2018
10 cores / 20 threads, 165 Watt
13.76
Core i7-12700K
2021
12 cores / 20 threads, 125 Watt
21.78
+58.3%

Core i7-12700K outperforms Core i9-9900X by an impressive 58% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9900X and Core i7-12700K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking540244
Place by popularitynot in top-10072
Cost-effectiveness evaluation5.1041.88
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9Intel Core i7
Power efficiency7.8916.49
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2018)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date19 October 2018 (6 years ago)4 November 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$989$409

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-12700K has 721% better value for money than i9-9900X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9900X and Core i7-12700K 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 speed3.5 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz5 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0DMI 4.0
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier3536
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache19.25 MB (shared)25 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm10 nm
Die sizeno data215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature92 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9900X and Core i7-12700K 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
SocketFCLGA2066FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9900X and Core i7-12700K. 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++
FMA-+
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
SIPP-+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0++
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i9-9900X and Core i7-12700K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9900X and Core i7-12700K are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9900X and Core i7-12700K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/s76.805 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AIntel UHD Graphics 770
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.5 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-9900X and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-9900X and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-9900X and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9900X and Core i7-12700K.

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.

i9-9900X 13.76
i7-12700K 21.78
+58.3%

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.

i9-9900X 21862
i7-12700K 34599
+58.3%

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.

i9-9900X 1451
i7-12700K 2555
+76.1%

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.

i9-9900X 9300
i7-12700K 13784
+48.2%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 13.76 21.78
Recency 19 October 2018 4 November 2021
Physical cores 10 12
Chip lithography 14 nm 10 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 125 Watt

i7-12700K has a 58.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, 20% more physical cores, a 40% more advanced lithography process, and 32% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-12700K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-9900X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9900X and Core i7-12700K, 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 i9-9900X
Core i9-9900X
Intel Core i7-12700K
Core i7-12700K

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.


3.1 102 votes

Rate Core i9-9900X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.2 2015 votes

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

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i9-9900X or Core i7-12700K, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.