Intel Core i7-12700 vs Intel Core i5-2500K

VS
Performance
Core i7-12700311% better
27,02273% of 36,991
Core i5-2500K
6,57118% of 36,991

The Core i7-12700 has 311% better performance than the Core i5-2500K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-12700155% better
77.4364% of 121.53
Core i5-2500K
30.4225% of 121.53

The Core i7-12700 has 155% better value for the money than the Core i5-2500K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

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About the Intel Core i7-12700 CPU

The Intel Core i7-12700 is a 12-core (20-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q1 2022 with a suggested retail price of $349. It is part of Intel's Core i7 lineup, which is based on the Alder Lake-S microarchitecture. The i7-12700 is compatible with Intel Socket 1700 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm manufacturing process. It features the UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics solution and is bundled with a Laminar RM1 cooler.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-12700 supports DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-12700 has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 80 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 1.25 MB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 25 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-12700 features 12 total cores which can process 20 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The 12 cores consist of 8 P-Cores and 4 E-Cores. P-Cores are designed for high-performance tasks and E-Cores are intended for efficiency and lighter tasks. The base clock speed of the CPU is 2.1 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.9 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is locked, making it incapable of overclocking for pushing performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i7-12700 includes an integrated graphics solution called UHD Graphics 770. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i7-12700 has the 16th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 73.05% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 27,022 score and $349 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 77.43. This is the 17th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i5-2500K CPU

The Intel Core i5-2500K is an end-of-life 4-core (4-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q1 2011 with a suggested retail price of $216. It is part of Intel's Core i5 lineup, which is based on the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture. The i5-2500K is compatible with Intel Socket 1155 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process. It features the Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i5-2500K supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i5-2500K has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 6 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i5-2500K features 4 total cores which can process 4 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.3 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.7 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i5-2500K includes an integrated graphics solution called Intel HD 3000. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i5-2500K has the 363rd best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 17.76% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 6,571 score and $216 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 30.42. This is the 118th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoCore i7-12700Core i5-2500K
ManufacturerIntelIntel
SeriesCore i7Core i5
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ1 2022Q1 2011
Launch Price (MSRP)$349$216
Production StatusActiveEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i7-12700311% better
27,02273% of 36,991
Core i5-2500K
6,57118% of 36,991

The Core i7-12700 has 311% better performance than the Core i5-2500K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-12700 is ranked 16th with a score of 27,022, and the Core i5-2500K is ranked 363rd with a score of 6,571.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-12700155% better
77.4364% of 121.53
Core i5-2500K
30.4225% of 121.53

The Core i7-12700 has 155% better value for the money than the Core i5-2500K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-12700 is ranked 17th with a performance per dollar of 77.43, and the Core i5-2500K is ranked 118th with a performance per dollar of 30.42.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i7-12700 or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Ryzen 9 7900X27,731+3%
Ryzen 7 5800X3D27,236+1%
Core i7-1270027,022
Core i7-1370026,874-1%
Ryzen 9 790026,325-3%
Core i5-35506,593-76%
Ryzen 3 1300X6,579-76%
Core i5-2500K6,571-76%
Core i5-44606,499-76%
Core i5-64006,283-77%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i7-12700 or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i7-14700K79.06+2%
Ryzen 7 7700X78.86+2%
Core i7-1270077.43
Core i7-13700K76.32-1%
Ryzen 7 7800X3D73.38-5%
Core i7-670032.45-58%
Core i5-6600K32.04-59%
Core i5-2500K30.42-61%
Core i5-347030.3-61%
Core i7-3770K29.45-62%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkCore i7-12700Core i5-2500K
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
27,022
(+311.23%)
6,571
3DMark Time Spy CPU
16,400
--
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
3,151
(+570.43%)
470
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
272
(+122.95%)
122
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
11,216
(+481.14%)
1,930
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
2,388
(+264.58%)
655
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
30,791
(+647.54%)
4,119
CPU Mark Single-Thread
3,913
(+130.45%)
1,698
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecCore i7-12700Core i5-2500K
ManufacturerIntelIntel
FoundryIntelIntel
Process Size10 nm32 nm
Transistors--1,160 million

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecCore i7-12700Core i5-2500K
SeriesCore i7Core i5
MicroarchitectureAlder Lake-SSandy Bridge
CodenameAlder Lake-SSandy Bridge
Memory SupportDDR4-3200, DDR5-4800DDR3
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecCore i7-12700Core i5-2500K
Cores124
Threads204
Performance Cores (P-cores)8--
Efficient Cores (E-cores)4--
Clock Speed2.1 GHz3.3 GHz
Turbo Clock4.9 GHz3.7 GHz
P-core Clock2.1 GHz--
P-core Turbo Clock4.9 GHz--
E-core Clock Speed1600.0 MHz--
E-core Turbo Clock3.6 GHz--
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier21.0x33.0x
Multiplier UnlockedNoYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecCore i7-12700Core i5-2500K
L1 Cache80 KB64 KB
L2 Cache1.25 MB256 KB
L3 Cache25 MB6 MB
E-core L1 Cache96 KB--
E-core L2 Cache2 MB--

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecCore i7-12700Core i5-2500K
SocketIntel Socket 1700Intel Socket 1155
PCI ExpressPCIe 5.0 x16, PCIe 4.0 x4PCIe 2.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)65 W95 W
Power Limit 1 (PL1)65 W--
Power Limit 2 (PL2)180 W--
TJ Max100 °C72.6 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecCore i7-12700Core i5-2500K
Bundled CoolerLaminar RM1--
Integrated GraphicsUHD Graphics 770Intel HD 3000
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, SHA, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, CLMUL, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, ABM, ADX, RdRand, TBT 2.0, TBT 3.0MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, AES-NI

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.