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 i7-12700F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.0% higher average FPS across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 32.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 96.6 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($314 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Laminar RM1), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌
5% HIGHER MSRP
$314 MSRPvs$299 MSRP

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅+28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $15 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $314 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700F across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 30,332).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.1 vs 96.6 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $314 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-12700F.

Core i7-12700F

2022

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.0% higher average FPS across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 32.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 96.6 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($314 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Laminar RM1), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Why buy it

✅+28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $15 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $314 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌
5% HIGHER MSRP
$314 MSRPvs$299 MSRP

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700F across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 30,332).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.1 vs 96.6 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $314 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-12700F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700F better than Ryzen 5 5600X?

Yes. Core i7-12700F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 18.0% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data, 38.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-12700F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 18.0% more average FPS across 34 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700F is the better fit. You are getting 38.9% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i7-12700F is the smarter buy today. Core i7-12700F is 5.0% more expensive on MSRP at $314 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it gives you a 18.0% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 32.2% better value on MSRP (96.6 vs 73.1 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 5600X can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Core i7-12700F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 20 threads instead of 6/12. 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 i7-12700F Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5600X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700F	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	262 FPS	203 FPS
medium	252 FPS	174 FPS
high	211 FPS	140 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	107 FPS
1440p
low	228 FPS	169 FPS
medium	196 FPS	141 FPS
high	159 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	85 FPS
medium	136 FPS	76 FPS
high	105 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	93 FPS	47 FPS

Open Core i7-12700F Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700F	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	312 FPS	464 FPS
medium	265 FPS	387 FPS
high	224 FPS	324 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	291 FPS
1440p
low	257 FPS	397 FPS
medium	228 FPS	334 FPS
high	198 FPS	290 FPS
ultra	172 FPS	253 FPS
4K
low	157 FPS	263 FPS
medium	141 FPS	226 FPS
high	133 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	118 FPS	171 FPS

Open Core i7-12700F Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700F	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	758 FPS	546 FPS
medium	615 FPS	473 FPS
high	545 FPS	432 FPS
ultra	462 FPS	358 FPS
1440p
low	689 FPS	508 FPS
medium	553 FPS	413 FPS
high	483 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	415 FPS	312 FPS
4K
low	498 FPS	348 FPS
medium	416 FPS	292 FPS
high	373 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	314 FPS	199 FPS

Open Core i7-12700F Open Ryzen 5 5600X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700F	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	758 FPS	546 FPS
medium	758 FPS	546 FPS
high	672 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	597 FPS	546 FPS
1440p
low	738 FPS	546 FPS
medium	657 FPS	546 FPS
high	566 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	493 FPS	524 FPS
4K
low	519 FPS	529 FPS
medium	473 FPS	484 FPS
high	419 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	364 FPS	379 FPS

Open Core i7-12700F Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700F and Ryzen 5 5600X

Core i7-12700F

The Core i7-12700F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 30,332 points. Launch price was $386.

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700F packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-12700F has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-12700F versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 6.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700F (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-12700F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700F scores 30,332 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 32.5% lead for the Core i7-12700F. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700F vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i7-12700F	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	12 / 20+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+7%	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.7 GHz+76%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	32 MB+28%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	30,332+39%	21,845
Cinebench R23 Multi	21,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,388	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,448	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12700F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X — the Core i7-12700F supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700F) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760,Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700F) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Core i7-12700F	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-12700F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). Primary use case: Core i7-12700F targets High-performance Gaming / Productivity, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700F rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i7-12700F	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	High-performance Gaming / Productivity	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700F launched at $314 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600X debuted at $299. On MSRP ($314 vs $299), the Ryzen 5 5600X is $15 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700F delivers 96.6 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Core i7-12700F the 27.7% better value option.