i7-12700K vs Xeon E3-1290 v2

VS

Aggregate performance score

Xeon E3-1290 v2
2012
4 cores / 8 threads, 87 Watt
3.98
Core i7-12700K
2021
12 cores / 20 threads, 125 Watt
21.78
+447%

Core i7-12700K outperforms Xeon E3-1290 v2 by a whopping 447% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Xeon E3-1290 v2 and Core i7-12700K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1433244
Place by popularitynot in top-10073
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.7341.85
Market segmentServerDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i7
Power efficiency4.3316.49
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date14 May 2012 (12 years ago)4 November 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$885$409

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-12700K has 5633% better value for money than Xeon E3-1290 v2.

Detailed specifications

Xeon E3-1290 v2 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads820
Base clock speed3.7 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed4.1 GHz5 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 4.0
Bus rate5 GT/s8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplierno data36
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)25 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm10 nm
Die size160 mm2215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
Number of transistors1,400 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Xeon E3-1290 v2 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA1155FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)87 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Xeon E3-1290 v2 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® AVXIntel® 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++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+no data
SIPP-+
Demand Based Switching+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
Fast Memory Access+no data
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Xeon E3-1290 v2 and Core i7-12700K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection+-
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Xeon E3-1290 v2 and Core i7-12700K are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Xeon E3-1290 v2 and Core i7-12700K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size32.77 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s76.805 GB/s
ECC memory support++

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel 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 Xeon E3-1290 v2 and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Xeon E3-1290 v2 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 Xeon E3-1290 v2 and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Xeon E3-1290 v2 and Core i7-12700K.

PCIe version3.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanesno data20

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.

Xeon E3-1290 v2 3.98
i7-12700K 21.78
+447%

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.

Xeon E3-1290 v2 6315
i7-12700K 34598
+448%

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.

Xeon E3-1290 v2 713
i7-12700K 2555
+258%

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.

Xeon E3-1290 v2 2498
i7-12700K 13786
+452%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.98 21.78
Recency 14 May 2012 4 November 2021
Physical cores 4 12
Threads 8 20
Chip lithography 22 nm 10 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 87 Watt 125 Watt

Xeon E3-1290 v2 has 43.7% lower power consumption.

i7-12700K, on the other hand, has a 447.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 9 years, 200% more physical cores and 150% more threads, and a 120% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i7-12700K is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon E3-1290 v2 in performance tests.

Be aware that Xeon E3-1290 v2 is a server/workstation processor while Core i7-12700K is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon E3-1290 v2 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 Xeon E3-1290 v2
Xeon E3-1290 v2
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.


4.1 245 votes

Rate Xeon E3-1290 v2 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.2 2019 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 Xeon E3-1290 v2 or Core i7-12700K, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.