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: +35.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 125W instead of 129W, a 4W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA2579 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Xeon D-2799 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon D-2799, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 32 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Xeon D-2799 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon D-2799

2022

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 32 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (32 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 (33,792 vs 34,347).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA2579 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-12700K

2021

Xeon D-2799

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +35.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 125W instead of 129W, a 4W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA2579 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Xeon D-2799 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 32 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (32 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon D-2799, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 32 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Xeon D-2799 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (33,792 vs 34,347).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA2579 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700K better than Xeon D-2799?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon D-2799 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-12700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 35.8% 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 1.6% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $409 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 35.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Xeon D-2799 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), 20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB), and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. 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

Xeon D-2799 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon D-2799
1080p
low	314 FPS	184 FPS
medium	295 FPS	154 FPS
high	246 FPS	123 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	97 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	147 FPS
medium	225 FPS	118 FPS
high	182 FPS	92 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	73 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	70 FPS
medium	142 FPS	59 FPS
high	109 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon D-2799

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon D-2799
1080p
low	630 FPS	364 FPS
medium	533 FPS	316 FPS
high	450 FPS	262 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	213 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	313 FPS
medium	475 FPS	281 FPS
high	403 FPS	238 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	190 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	202 FPS
medium	280 FPS	183 FPS
high	266 FPS	155 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	124 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon D-2799

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon D-2799
1080p
low	797 FPS	721 FPS
medium	633 FPS	581 FPS
high	556 FPS	504 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	441 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	587 FPS
medium	565 FPS	478 FPS
high	490 FPS	415 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	362 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	429 FPS
medium	425 FPS	333 FPS
high	381 FPS	285 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	229 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon D-2799

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon D-2799
1080p
low	859 FPS	845 FPS
medium	802 FPS	785 FPS
high	699 FPS	680 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	585 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	682 FPS
medium	678 FPS	596 FPS
high	590 FPS	513 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	442 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	466 FPS
medium	488 FPS	418 FPS
high	437 FPS	373 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	326 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon D-2799

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and Xeon D-2799

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.

Xeon D-2799

The Xeon D-2799 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-D (2022−2023) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2579. Thermal design power (TDP): 129 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 33,792 points. Launch price was $1,972.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon D-2799 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon D-2799 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon D-2799 — a 38.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-12700K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon D-2799 uses Ice Lake-D (2022−2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Xeon D-2799's 33,792 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon D-2799.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Xeon D-2799
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	20 / 40+67%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+47%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+50%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Ice Lake-D (2022−2023)
PassMark	34,347+2%	33,792
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	20,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,959
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,895

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon D-2799 uses FCBGA2579 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus DDR4-3200 on the Xeon D-2799 — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon D-2799 supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 128 — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-12700K) vs 4 (Xeon D-2799). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700K) vs 32 (Xeon D-2799) — the Xeon D-2799 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and Ice Lake-D (Xeon D-2799).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Xeon D-2799
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA2579
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+119900%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128	1024 GB+838860700%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	32+60%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-12700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon D-2799 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, EPT (Xeon D-2799). The Core i7-12700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon D-2799 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon D-2799 targets Edge Server / Networking. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; Xeon D-2799 rivals EPYC 7302.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Xeon D-2799
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Edge Server / Networking