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

✅+11% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌380.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 26W.

Core Ultra 7 255H

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 26W instead of 125W, a 99W reduction.
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (30,932 vs 34,347).

Core i7-12700K

2021

Core Ultra 7 255H

2025

Why buy it

✅+11% higher PassMark.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 26W instead of 125W, a 99W reduction.
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌380.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 26W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (30,932 vs 34,347).

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 255H better than Core i7-12700K?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core Ultra 7 255H is ahead with a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700K pulls ahead with 11% better PassMark.

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 11% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 255H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-12700K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core Ultra 7 255H is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $409 MSRP, and it gives you a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i7-12700K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 11% better PassMark. Core i7-12700K is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 7 255H is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2021). 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 Ultra 7 255H Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core Ultra 7 255H
1080p
low	314 FPS	309 FPS
medium	295 FPS	278 FPS
high	246 FPS	232 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	199 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	251 FPS
medium	225 FPS	201 FPS
high	182 FPS	163 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	143 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	173 FPS
medium	142 FPS	139 FPS
high	109 FPS	107 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	93 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core Ultra 7 255H

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core Ultra 7 255H
1080p
low	630 FPS	773 FPS
medium	533 FPS	637 FPS
high	450 FPS	521 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	460 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	715 FPS
medium	475 FPS	570 FPS
high	403 FPS	469 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	391 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	419 FPS
medium	280 FPS	342 FPS
high	266 FPS	316 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	271 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core Ultra 7 255H

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core Ultra 7 255H
1080p
low	797 FPS	773 FPS
medium	633 FPS	773 FPS
high	556 FPS	773 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	662 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	773 FPS
medium	565 FPS	735 FPS
high	490 FPS	635 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	544 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	642 FPS
medium	425 FPS	534 FPS
high	381 FPS	483 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	409 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core Ultra 7 255H

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core Ultra 7 255H
1080p
low	859 FPS	773 FPS
medium	802 FPS	773 FPS
high	699 FPS	773 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	773 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	773 FPS
medium	678 FPS	773 FPS
high	590 FPS	703 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	609 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	612 FPS
medium	488 FPS	540 FPS
high	437 FPS	489 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	427 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core Ultra 7 255H

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and Core Ultra 7 255H

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 Ultra 7 255H

The Core Ultra 7 255H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 26 MB + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 30,932 points. Launch price was $514.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 255H offers 16 cores / 16 threads — the Core Ultra 7 255H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255H — a 2% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255H (base: 3.6 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i7-12700K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 255H uses Arrow Lake-H (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Core Ultra 7 255H's 30,932 — a 10.5% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 24 MB on the Core Ultra 7 255H.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core Ultra 7 255H
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	16 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	4.4 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)+4%	24 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	10 nm	5 nm-50%
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Arrow Lake-H (2025)
PassMark	34,347+11%	30,932
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,800
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	15,700

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 255H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 255H — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700K) vs 28 (Core Ultra 7 255H) — the Core Ultra 7 255H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and HM870,WM880 (Core Ultra 7 255H).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core Ultra 7 255H
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+95900%	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	128	128 GB+104857500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
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. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) and Intel Arc Graphics 140T (Core Ultra 7 255H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 255H targets High-End Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core Ultra 7 255H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel Arc Graphics 140T
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	High-End Laptop