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

✅Costs $340 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $749 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 150W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-14900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (34,347 vs 60,531).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 36 MB).

Core i9-14900KS

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+44% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB).

Trade-offs

❌
83.1% HIGHER MSRP
$749 MSRPvs$409 MSRP
❌20% higher power demand at 150W vs 125W.

Core i7-12700K

2021

Core i9-14900KS

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $340 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $749 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 150W, a 25W reduction.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+44% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-14900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (34,347 vs 60,531).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 36 MB).

Trade-offs

❌
83.1% HIGHER MSRP
$749 MSRPvs$409 MSRP
❌20% higher power demand at 150W vs 125W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-14900KS better than Core i7-12700K?

Yes. Core i9-14900KS is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 76.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-14900KS is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 9.6% 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 i9-14900KS is the better fit. You are getting 76.2% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 44% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB).

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

Core i9-14900KS is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-12700K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-14900KS is 83.1% more expensive on MSRP at $749 MSRP versus $409 MSRP, and it gives you a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-12700K is also 3.9% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 80.8 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Core i9-14900KS is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021), 44% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 12/20. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

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 i9-14900KS Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-14900KS
1080p
low	314 FPS	325 FPS
medium	295 FPS	314 FPS
high	246 FPS	246 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	207 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	281 FPS
medium	225 FPS	241 FPS
high	182 FPS	177 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	156 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	194 FPS
medium	142 FPS	165 FPS
high	109 FPS	122 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	110 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-14900KS

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-14900KS
1080p
low	630 FPS	792 FPS
medium	533 FPS	688 FPS
high	450 FPS	550 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	488 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	664 FPS
medium	475 FPS	597 FPS
high	403 FPS	490 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	400 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	369 FPS
medium	280 FPS	336 FPS
high	266 FPS	312 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	275 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-14900KS

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-14900KS
1080p
low	797 FPS	794 FPS
medium	633 FPS	660 FPS
high	556 FPS	572 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	493 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	711 FPS
medium	565 FPS	599 FPS
high	490 FPS	512 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	450 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	522 FPS
medium	425 FPS	463 FPS
high	381 FPS	412 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	352 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-14900KS

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-14900KS
1080p
low	859 FPS	1091 FPS
medium	802 FPS	975 FPS
high	699 FPS	853 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	760 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	900 FPS
medium	678 FPS	791 FPS
high	590 FPS	690 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	607 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	662 FPS
medium	488 FPS	592 FPS
high	437 FPS	523 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-14900KS

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and Core i9-14900KS

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 i9-14900KS

The Core i9-14900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Marchar 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.9 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 60,531 points. Launch price was $689.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-14900KS offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-14900KS has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 5.9 GHz on the Core i9-14900KS — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Core i9-14900KS (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-12700K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-14900KS uses Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Core i9-14900KS's 60,531 — a 55.2% lead for the Core i9-14900KS. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-14900KS.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-14900KS
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	24 / 32+100%
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5.9 GHz+18%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	36 MB (total)+44%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)
PassMark	34,347	60,531+76%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus 5600 on the Core i9-14900KS — the Core i9-14900KS supports 15.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-14900KS supports up to 192 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 Z790,Z690 (Core i9-14900KS).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-14900KS
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	4800	5600+17%
Max RAM Capacity	128	192+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-14900KS) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; Core i9-14900KS rivals Ryzen 9 7950X.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-14900KS
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Core i9-14900KS debuted at $749. On MSRP ($409 vs $749), the Core i7-12700K is $340 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700K delivers 84.0 pts/$ vs 80.8 pts/$ for the Core i9-14900KS — making the Core i7-12700K the 3.8% better value option.