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: +47.4% higher average FPS across 39 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+29.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Costs $877 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $1,286 MSRP).
✅Delivers 539.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $1,286 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 5117, which brings 14 cores / 28 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.
❌19% higher power demand at 125W vs 105W.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 5117

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅Draws 105W instead of 125W, a 20W reduction.
✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 39 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,897 vs 34,347).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.1 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($1,286 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i7-12700K

2021

Xeon Gold 5117

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +47.4% higher average FPS across 39 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+29.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Costs $877 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $1,286 MSRP).
✅Delivers 539.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $1,286 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅Draws 105W instead of 125W, a 20W reduction.
✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 5117, which brings 14 cores / 28 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.
❌19% higher power demand at 125W vs 105W.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 39 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,897 vs 34,347).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.1 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($1,286 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700K better than Xeon Gold 5117?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon Gold 5117 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 47.4% more average FPS across 39 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 103.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 29.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 19 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 $877 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $1,286 MSRP, and it gives you a 47.4% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 539.1% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 13.1 PassMark/$), 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 LGA3647, 29.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 19 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 20 threads instead of 14/28. 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 Gold 5117 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon Gold 5117
1080p
low	314 FPS	175 FPS
medium	295 FPS	140 FPS
high	246 FPS	112 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	88 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	139 FPS
medium	225 FPS	109 FPS
high	182 FPS	86 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	68 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	66 FPS
medium	142 FPS	55 FPS
high	109 FPS	43 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	34 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon Gold 5117

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon Gold 5117
1080p
low	630 FPS	189 FPS
medium	533 FPS	168 FPS
high	450 FPS	145 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	119 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	163 FPS
medium	475 FPS	149 FPS
high	403 FPS	129 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	104 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	106 FPS
medium	280 FPS	97 FPS
high	266 FPS	85 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	68 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon Gold 5117

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon Gold 5117
1080p
low	797 FPS	422 FPS
medium	633 FPS	422 FPS
high	556 FPS	422 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	406 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	422 FPS
medium	565 FPS	422 FPS
high	490 FPS	386 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	335 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	401 FPS
medium	425 FPS	310 FPS
high	381 FPS	264 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	213 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon Gold 5117

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Xeon Gold 5117
1080p
low	859 FPS	422 FPS
medium	802 FPS	422 FPS
high	699 FPS	422 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	422 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	422 FPS
medium	678 FPS	422 FPS
high	590 FPS	422 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	415 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	422 FPS
medium	488 FPS	401 FPS
high	437 FPS	357 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	306 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Xeon Gold 5117

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and Xeon Gold 5117

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 Gold 5117

The Xeon Gold 5117 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB. L2 cache: 14 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 16,897 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5117 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon Gold 5117 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5117 — a 56.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-12700K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5117 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Xeon Gold 5117's 16,897 — a 68.1% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 19.25 MB on the Xeon Gold 5117.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Xeon Gold 5117
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	14 / 28+17%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+79%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+80%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)+30%	19.25 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	14 MB+1020%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	34,347+103%	16,897

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 5117 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus 2400 on the Xeon Gold 5117 — the Core i7-12700K supports 66.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5117 supports up to 768 of RAM compared to 128 — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-12700K) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 5117). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700K) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 5117) — the Xeon Gold 5117 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and C621 (Xeon Gold 5117).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Xeon Gold 5117
Socket	LGA1700	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+100%	2400
Max RAM Capacity	128	768+500%
RAM Channels	2	6+200%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	48+140%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-12700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 5117 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 Xeon Gold 5117 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; Xeon Gold 5117 rivals Xeon Silver 4114.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Xeon Gold 5117
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

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Xeon Gold 5117 debuted at $1286. On MSRP ($409 vs $1286), the Core i7-12700K is $877 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700K delivers 84.0 pts/$ vs 13.1 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 5117 — making the Core i7-12700K the 145.9% better value option.