Core i7-12700K vs EPYC 4364P

CPU

GPU

Core i7-12700K

12 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5 GHz2021

Popular choices:

•••••••••

EPYC 4364P

8 Cores16 Thrd105 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2024

Popular choices:

••i7-12700K•••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-12700K

12 / 20

34,347

+0.4%

34,215

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-12700K

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 4364P across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 4364P, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 28 PCIe lanes.
❌
2.5% HIGHER MSRP
$409 MSRPvs$399 MSRP
❌19% higher power demand at 125W vs 105W.

EPYC 4364P

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +34.6% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 28 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅Costs $10 less on MSRP ($399 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 125W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (34,215 vs 34,347).

Core i7-12700K

2021

EPYC 4364P

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +34.6% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 28 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅Costs $10 less on MSRP ($399 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 125W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 4364P across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 4364P, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 28 PCIe lanes.
❌
2.5% HIGHER MSRP
$409 MSRPvs$399 MSRP
❌19% higher power demand at 125W vs 105W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (34,215 vs 34,347).

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 4364P better than Core i7-12700K?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 4364P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-12700K is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700K is the better fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

EPYC 4364P is the smarter buy today. EPYC 4364P is $10 cheaper on MSRP at $399 MSRP versus $409 MSRP, and it gives you a 34.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i7-12700K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 2.1% better value on MSRP (85.8 vs 84.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

EPYC 4364P is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021), 28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB), and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-12700K Benchmark Check

EPYC 4364P Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 4364P
1080p
low	314 FPS	249 FPS
medium	295 FPS	232 FPS
high	246 FPS	201 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	173 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	218 FPS
medium	225 FPS	183 FPS
high	182 FPS	152 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	134 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	152 FPS
medium	142 FPS	127 FPS
high	109 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	86 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open EPYC 4364P

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 4364P
1080p
low	630 FPS	710 FPS
medium	533 FPS	565 FPS
high	450 FPS	465 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	413 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	597 FPS
medium	475 FPS	499 FPS
high	403 FPS	417 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	351 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	348 FPS
medium	280 FPS	297 FPS
high	266 FPS	278 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	241 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open EPYC 4364P

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 4364P
1080p
low	797 FPS	855 FPS
medium	633 FPS	855 FPS
high	556 FPS	855 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	855 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	855 FPS
medium	565 FPS	855 FPS
high	490 FPS	790 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	656 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	582 FPS
medium	425 FPS	500 FPS
high	381 FPS	450 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	380 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open EPYC 4364P

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 4364P
1080p
low	859 FPS	855 FPS
medium	802 FPS	855 FPS
high	699 FPS	855 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	852 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	855 FPS
medium	678 FPS	855 FPS
high	590 FPS	766 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	647 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	682 FPS
medium	488 FPS	600 FPS
high	437 FPS	531 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open EPYC 4364P

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and EPYC 4364P

Core i7-12700K

The Core i7-12700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 34,347 points. Launch price was $409.

EPYC 4364P

The EPYC 4364P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 May 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raphael (2023−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 34,215 points. Launch price was $399.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the EPYC 4364P offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-12700K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 5.4 GHz on the EPYC 4364P — a 7.7% clock advantage for the EPYC 4364P (base: 3.6 GHz vs 4.5 GHz). The Core i7-12700K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the EPYC 4364P uses Raphael (2023−2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the EPYC 4364P's 34,215 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 4364P.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 4364P
Cores / Threads	12 / 20+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5.4 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	4.5 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+28%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	5 nm-50%
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Raphael (2023−2025)
PassMark	34,347	34,215
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	3,085
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	15,594

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 4364P uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus DDR5-5200 on the EPYC 4364P — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 4364P supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700K) vs 28 (EPYC 4364P) — the EPYC 4364P offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and B650,X670,X870 (EPYC 4364P).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 4364P
Socket	LGA1700	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+95900%	DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity	128	192 GB+157286300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	28+40%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-12700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the EPYC 4364P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K) vs AMD-V, AMD-Vi (EPYC 4364P). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) and Radeon Graphics (EPYC 4364P) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: EPYC 4364P targets Entry Server. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; EPYC 4364P rivals Xeon E-2488.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 4364P
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Radeon Graphics
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V, AMD-Vi
Target Use	—	Entry Server

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the EPYC 4364P debuted at $399. On MSRP ($409 vs $399), the EPYC 4364P is $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700K delivers 84.0 pts/$ vs 85.8 pts/$ for the EPYC 4364P — making the EPYC 4364P the 2.1% better value option.