Core i7-12700K vs EPYC 9115

CPU

GPU

Core i7-12700K

12 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5 GHz2021

Popular choices:

•••••••••

EPYC 9115

16 Cores32 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2024

Popular choices:

••i7-12700K•••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-12700K

12 / 20

34,347

0.0%

48,343

+40.7%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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

✅Better for gaming: +16.6% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $317 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $726 MSRP).
✅Delivers 26.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 66.6 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $726 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while EPYC 9115 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (34,347 vs 48,343).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9115, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 9115

2024

Why buy it

✅+40.7% higher PassMark.
✅+156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.6 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($726 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-12700K

2021

EPYC 9115

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.6% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $317 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $726 MSRP).
✅Delivers 26.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 66.6 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $726 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while EPYC 9115 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+40.7% higher PassMark.
✅+156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (34,347 vs 48,343).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9115, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.6 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($726 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9115 better than Core i7-12700K?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 9115 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, EPYC 9115 is the better fit. You are getting 40.7% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).

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

EPYC 9115 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-12700K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. EPYC 9115 is 77.5% more expensive on MSRP at $726 MSRP versus $409 MSRP, and it gives you 40.7% better PassMark. The trade-off is that Core i7-12700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-12700K is also 26.1% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 66.6 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

EPYC 9115 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021), 156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB), more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 12/20, 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 9115 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 9115
1080p
low	314 FPS	164 FPS
medium	295 FPS	135 FPS
high	246 FPS	114 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	90 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	144 FPS
medium	225 FPS	116 FPS
high	182 FPS	93 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	74 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	68 FPS
medium	142 FPS	58 FPS
high	109 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	37 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open EPYC 9115

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 9115
1080p
low	630 FPS	490 FPS
medium	533 FPS	436 FPS
high	450 FPS	338 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	291 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	422 FPS
medium	475 FPS	380 FPS
high	403 FPS	305 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	247 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	264 FPS
medium	280 FPS	240 FPS
high	266 FPS	208 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	182 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open EPYC 9115

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 9115
1080p
low	797 FPS	707 FPS
medium	633 FPS	592 FPS
high	556 FPS	538 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	478 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	545 FPS
medium	565 FPS	454 FPS
high	490 FPS	407 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	355 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	397 FPS
medium	425 FPS	318 FPS
high	381 FPS	281 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	228 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open EPYC 9115

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 9115
1080p
low	859 FPS	860 FPS
medium	802 FPS	785 FPS
high	699 FPS	679 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	601 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	680 FPS
medium	678 FPS	601 FPS
high	590 FPS	516 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	447 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	495 FPS
medium	488 FPS	445 FPS
high	437 FPS	391 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	335 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open EPYC 9115

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and EPYC 9115

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 9115

The EPYC 9115 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 48,343 points. Launch price was $726.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the EPYC 9115 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 9115 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 4.1 GHz on the EPYC 9115 — a 19.8% 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 EPYC 9115 uses Turin (2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the EPYC 9115's 48,343 — a 33.9% lead for the EPYC 9115. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9115.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 9115
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	16 / 32+33%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+22%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+38%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+156%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	4 nm-60%
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Turin (2024)
PassMark	34,347	48,343+41%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 9115 uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 4800 memory speed. The EPYC 9115 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 128 — 191.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-12700K) vs 12 (EPYC 9115). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700K) vs 128 (EPYC 9115) — the EPYC 9115 offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and SP5 (EPYC 9115).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 9115
Socket	LGA1700	SP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	4800	4800
Max RAM Capacity	128	6144+4700%
RAM Channels	2	12+500%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	128+540%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-12700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the EPYC 9115 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (EPYC 9115). The Core i7-12700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the EPYC 9115 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; EPYC 9115 rivals Xeon Platinum 8468X.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	EPYC 9115
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	None
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the EPYC 9115 debuted at $726. On MSRP ($409 vs $726), the Core i7-12700K is $317 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700K delivers 84.0 pts/$ vs 66.6 pts/$ for the EPYC 9115 — making the Core i7-12700K the 23.1% better value option.