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

✅Better for gaming: +13.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 25.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 66.7 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 33 MB).
❌
4.3% HIGHER MSRP
$409 MSRPvs$392 MSRP
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Core i7-14701E

2024

Why buy it

✅+32% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $17 less on MSRP ($392 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (26,146 vs 34,347).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.7 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($392 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Core i7-12700K

2021

Core i7-14701E

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 25.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 66.7 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅+32% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $17 less on MSRP ($392 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 33 MB).
❌
4.3% HIGHER MSRP
$409 MSRPvs$392 MSRP
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (26,146 vs 34,347).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.7 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($392 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700K better than Core i7-14701E?

Yes. Core i7-12700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 13.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 31.4% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-12700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 13.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 31.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i7-12700K is the smarter buy today. Core i7-12700K is 4.3% more expensive on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $392 MSRP, and it gives you a 13.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 25.9% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 66.7 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i7-14701E is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021) and 32% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 25 MB). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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

Core i7-14701E Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i7-14701E
1080p
low	314 FPS	269 FPS
medium	295 FPS	252 FPS
high	246 FPS	211 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	183 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	252 FPS
medium	225 FPS	213 FPS
high	182 FPS	166 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	148 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	173 FPS
medium	142 FPS	146 FPS
high	109 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	97 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i7-14701E

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i7-14701E
1080p
low	630 FPS	654 FPS
medium	533 FPS	579 FPS
high	450 FPS	487 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	437 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	591 FPS
medium	475 FPS	526 FPS
high	403 FPS	444 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	376 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	348 FPS
medium	280 FPS	317 FPS
high	266 FPS	299 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	259 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i7-14701E

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i7-14701E
1080p
low	797 FPS	654 FPS
medium	633 FPS	643 FPS
high	556 FPS	562 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	474 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	654 FPS
medium	565 FPS	581 FPS
high	490 FPS	500 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	425 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	500 FPS
medium	425 FPS	425 FPS
high	381 FPS	383 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	323 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i7-14701E

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i7-14701E
1080p
low	859 FPS	654 FPS
medium	802 FPS	654 FPS
high	699 FPS	654 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	654 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	654 FPS
medium	678 FPS	654 FPS
high	590 FPS	629 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	556 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	572 FPS
medium	488 FPS	521 FPS
high	437 FPS	467 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	409 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i7-14701E

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and Core i7-14701E

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.

Core i7-14701E

The Core i7-14701E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Julho 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 26,146 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i7-14701E 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 Core i7-14701E — a 7.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-14701E (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-12700K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-14701E uses Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Core i7-14701E's 26,146 — a 27.1% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 33 MB (total) on the Core i7-14701E.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i7-14701E
Cores / Threads	12 / 20+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5.4 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+38%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	33 MB (total)+32%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)
PassMark	34,347+31%	26,146
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,781

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-14701E — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-14701E supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and Intel 600 Series,Intel 700 Series (Core i7-14701E).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i7-14701E
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+95900%	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	128	192 GB+157286300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-12700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-14701E). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-14701E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-14701E targets Embedded/Industrial. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; Core i7-14701E rivals Ryzen Embedded 8000.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i7-14701E
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Embedded/Industrial

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Core i7-14701E debuted at $392. On MSRP ($409 vs $392), the Core i7-14701E is $17 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700K delivers 84.0 pts/$ vs 66.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-14701E — making the Core i7-12700K the 22.9% better value option.