Intel Core i7-12700K

The Intel Core i7-12700K is a high end CPU for desktops based on the Alder Lake architecture. It was first announced in November 2021 and offers 8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. The performance cores (P-cores) support HyperThreading, leading to 20 Threads that can be processed at once. The performance cores can clock with up to 5 GHz (Turbo Boost Max 3.0), the efficiency cores can clock with up to 3.9 GHz. All cores can use 25 MB Smart Cache. The integrated memory controller supports up to 128 GB DDR5 with 4800 MT/s (dual channel).

Thread Director (in hardware) can support the operating system to decide which thread to use on the performance or efficiency cores for the best performance.

The integrated graphics adapter is based on the Xe-architecture and called Intel UHD Graphics 770. It clocks between 300 and 1.5 GHz.

For AI tasks, the CPU also integrates GNA 3.0 and DL Boost. Quick Sync in version 8 is the same as in the Rocket Lake CPUs and supports MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1 decode, JPEG, VP8 decode, VP9, HEVC and AV1 decode in hardware.

Performance

The average 12700K in our database is way ahead of AMD Ryzen 7 5800X and Ryzen 9 3900X, as far as multi-thread loads are concerned, while, perhaps a little disappointingly, lagging behind Ryzen 9 3950X. The Core i7 is a truly powerful CPU, if a little power-hungry. More on this below.

Power consumption

This Core i7 has a Base power consumption of 125 W, with 190 W being its highest Intel-recommended Turbo power consumption. The CPU is manufactured on Intel's third-gen 10 nm process marketed as Intel 7 for decent, as of early 2023, energy efficiency.

Series	Intel Alder Lake-S
Codename	Alder Lake
Series: Alder Lake-S Alder Lake Intel Core i9-12900K 3.2 - 5.2 GHz 16 / 24  20 MB L3 Intel Core i9-12900 2.4 - 5.1 GHz 16 / 24  20 MB L3 Intel Core i7-12700K « 3.6 - 5 GHz 12 / 20  25 MB L3 Intel Core i7-12700F 3.3 - 4.9 GHz 12 / 20  25 MB L3 Intel Core i5-12600K 3.7 - 4.9 GHz 10 / 16  20 MB L3
Clock Rate	3600 - 5000 MHz
Level 2 Cache	12 MB
Level 3 Cache	25 MB
Number of Cores / Threads	12 / 20
Power Consumption (TDP = Thermal Design Power)	125 Watt
Manufacturing Technology	10 nm
Max. Temperature	100 °C
Socket	LGA1700
Features	Intel UHD Graphics 770, DDR5 4800 MT/s, DDR4 3200 MT/s
GPU	Intel UHD Graphics 770 (300 - 1500 MHz)
64 Bit	64 Bit support
Architecture	x86
Starting Price	$409 U.S.
Announcement Date	11/05/2021
Product Link (external)	Intel Alder Lake-S i7-12700K

Benchmarks