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: +31.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,590 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 466.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 14.8 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 165W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i9-7980XE

2017

Why buy it

✅120% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (29,634 vs 34,347).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.8 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌32% higher power demand at 165W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i7-12700K

2021

Core i9-7980XE

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +31.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,590 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 466.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 14.8 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 165W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅120% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (29,634 vs 34,347).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.8 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌32% higher power demand at 165W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700K better than Core i9-7980XE?

Yes. Core i7-12700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 31.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 15.9% 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 i7-12700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 31.9% 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 15.9% 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 $1,590 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $1,999 MSRP, and it gives you a 31.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 466.5% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 14.8 PassMark/$), 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 i7-12700K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2017), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 20 threads instead of 18/36. 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

Core i9-7980XE Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-7980XE
1080p
low	314 FPS	167 FPS
medium	295 FPS	147 FPS
high	246 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	97 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	140 FPS
medium	225 FPS	120 FPS
high	182 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	80 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	78 FPS
medium	142 FPS	71 FPS
high	109 FPS	56 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	44 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-7980XE

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-7980XE
1080p
low	630 FPS	470 FPS
medium	533 FPS	405 FPS
high	450 FPS	355 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	321 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	411 FPS
medium	475 FPS	361 FPS
high	403 FPS	319 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	277 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	265 FPS
medium	280 FPS	232 FPS
high	266 FPS	220 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	190 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-7980XE

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-7980XE
1080p
low	797 FPS	636 FPS
medium	633 FPS	530 FPS
high	556 FPS	480 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	417 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	567 FPS
medium	565 FPS	479 FPS
high	490 FPS	432 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	377 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	431 FPS
medium	425 FPS	354 FPS
high	381 FPS	319 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	262 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-7980XE

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-7980XE
1080p
low	859 FPS	741 FPS
medium	802 FPS	741 FPS
high	699 FPS	697 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	614 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	741 FPS
medium	678 FPS	680 FPS
high	590 FPS	578 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	501 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	532 FPS
medium	488 FPS	479 FPS
high	437 FPS	422 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	365 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-7980XE

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and Core i9-7980XE

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 i9-7980XE

The Core i9-7980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 29,634 points. Launch price was $1,999.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-7980XE offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Core i9-7980XE has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7980XE — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K (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 i9-7980XE uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Core i9-7980XE's 29,634 — a 14.7% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-7980XE.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-7980XE
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	18 / 36+50%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+14%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+38%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)+1%	24.75 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	34,347+16%	29,634

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-7980XE uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-7980XE — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-12700K) vs 4 (Core i9-7980XE). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700K) vs 44 (Core i9-7980XE) — the Core i9-7980XE offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-7980XE
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+119900%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128	128 GB+104857500%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	44+120%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-7980XE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-12700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i9-7980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-7980XE
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Core i9-7980XE debuted at $1999. On MSRP ($409 vs $1999), the Core i7-12700K is $1590 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700K delivers 84.0 pts/$ vs 14.8 pts/$ for the Core i9-7980XE — making the Core i7-12700K the 140% better value option.