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: +63.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Delivers 143.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 34.5 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $273 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
49.8% HIGHER MSRP
$409 MSRPvs$273 MSRP
❌31.6% higher power demand at 125W vs 95W.

Xeon E5-4620 v2

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $136 less on MSRP ($273 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 125W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,424 vs 34,347).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 34.5 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($273 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while Core i7-12700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i7-12700K

2021

Xeon E5-4620 v2

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +63.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Delivers 143.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 34.5 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $273 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Costs $136 less on MSRP ($273 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 125W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌
49.8% HIGHER MSRP
$409 MSRPvs$273 MSRP
❌31.6% higher power demand at 125W vs 95W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,424 vs 34,347).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 34.5 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($273 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while Core i7-12700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700K better than Xeon E5-4620 v2?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon E5-4620 v2 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 63.5% 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 264.5% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Core i7-12700K is the smarter buy today. Core i7-12700K is 49.8% more expensive on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $273 MSRP, and it gives you a 63.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 143.3% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 34.5 PassMark/$), 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 2014), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, 25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 20 threads instead of 8/16. 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

Xeon E5-4620 v2 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E5-4620 v2
1080p
low	314 FPS	169 FPS
medium	295 FPS	134 FPS
high	246 FPS	109 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	87 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	138 FPS
medium	225 FPS	108 FPS
high	182 FPS	86 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	68 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	65 FPS
medium	142 FPS	55 FPS
high	109 FPS	43 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	34 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon E5-4620 v2

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E5-4620 v2
1080p
low	630 FPS	236 FPS
medium	533 FPS	236 FPS
high	450 FPS	236 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	199 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	236 FPS
medium	475 FPS	236 FPS
high	403 FPS	218 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	175 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	185 FPS
medium	280 FPS	166 FPS
high	266 FPS	141 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	112 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon E5-4620 v2

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E5-4620 v2
1080p
low	797 FPS	236 FPS
medium	633 FPS	236 FPS
high	556 FPS	236 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	236 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	236 FPS
medium	565 FPS	236 FPS
high	490 FPS	236 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	236 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	236 FPS
medium	425 FPS	236 FPS
high	381 FPS	236 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	236 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon E5-4620 v2

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E5-4620 v2
1080p
low	859 FPS	236 FPS
medium	802 FPS	236 FPS
high	699 FPS	236 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	236 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	236 FPS
medium	678 FPS	236 FPS
high	590 FPS	236 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	236 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	236 FPS
medium	488 FPS	236 FPS
high	437 FPS	236 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	236 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon E5-4620 v2

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and Xeon E5-4620 v2

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 E5-4620 v2

The Xeon E5-4620 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 9,424 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E5-4620 v2 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-12700K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-4620 v2 — a 50% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-12700K is built on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Xeon E5-4620 v2's 9,424 — a 113.9% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E5-4620 v2.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E5-4620 v2
Cores / Threads	12 / 20+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz+67%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+38%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)+25%	20 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	—
PassMark	34,347+264%	9,424

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-4620 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E5-4620 v2
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	128	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K) / not specified (Xeon E5-4620 v2). The Core i7-12700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon E5-4620 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Xeon E5-4620 v2
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-4620 v2 debuted at $273. On MSRP ($409 vs $273), the Xeon E5-4620 v2 is $136 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700K delivers 84.0 pts/$ vs 34.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4620 v2 — making the Core i7-12700K the 83.5% better value option.