Intel Core i7-12700 vs Intel Core i7-6950X

VS
Performance
Core i7-1270065% better
27,02273% of 36,991
Core i7-6950X
16,40344% of 36,991

The Core i7-12700 has 65% better performance than the Core i7-6950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-12700713% better
77.4364% of 121.53
Core i7-6950X
9.528% of 121.53

The Core i7-12700 has 713% better value for the money than the Core i7-6950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Shop Core i7-12700
Shop Core i7-6950X
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Summary

#

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 i7-6950X CPU

The Intel Core i7-6950X is an end-of-life 10-core (20-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q2 2016 with a suggested retail price of $1,723. It is part of Intel's Core i7 Extreme lineup, which is based on the Broadwell-E microarchitecture. The i7-6950X is compatible with Intel Socket 2011-3 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-6950X supports DDR4 memory and features a quad-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 4 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-6950X 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 25 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-6950X features 10 total cores which can process 20 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.0 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.5 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 i7-6950X does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i7-6950X has the 113th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 44.34% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 16,403 score and $1,723 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 9.52. This is the 201st 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 i7-6950X
ManufacturerIntelIntel
SeriesCore i7Core i7 Extreme
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ1 2022Q2 2016
Launch Price (MSRP)$349$1,723
Production StatusActiveEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i7-1270065% better
27,02273% of 36,991
Core i7-6950X
16,40344% of 36,991

The Core i7-12700 has 65% better performance than the Core i7-6950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-12700 is ranked 16th with a score of 27,022, and the Core i7-6950X is ranked 113th with a score of 16,403.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-12700713% better
77.4364% of 121.53
Core i7-6950X
9.528% of 121.53

The Core i7-12700 has 713% better value for the money than the Core i7-6950X 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 i7-6950X is ranked 201st with a performance per dollar of 9.52.

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%
Ryzen 9 390016,803-38%
Ryzen 5 5600G16,538-39%
Core i7-6950X16,403-39%
Core i5-11600K16,381-39%
Core i5-11400F15,367-43%

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 i9-9980XE9.72-87%
Core i9-9900T9.65-88%
Core i7-6950X9.52-88%

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 i7-6950X
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
27,022
(+64.74%)
16,403
3DMark Time Spy CPU
16,400
(+69.12%)
9,697
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
3,151
(+69.5%)
1,859
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
272
(+74.92%)
155.5
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
11,216
(+30.37%)
8,603
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
2,388
(+81.18%)
1,318
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
30,791
(+76.78%)
17,418
CPU Mark Single-Thread
3,913
(+67.37%)
2,338
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

#

Manufacturing Details

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

SpecCore i7-12700Core i7-6950X
ManufacturerIntelIntel
FoundryIntelIntel
Process Size10 nm14 nm
Transistors--3,400 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 i7-6950X
SeriesCore i7Core i7 Extreme
MicroarchitectureAlder Lake-SBroadwell-E
CodenameAlder Lake-SBroadwell-E
Memory SupportDDR4-3200, DDR5-4800DDR4
Memory ChannelsDual-channelQuad-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 i7-6950X
Cores1210
Threads2020
Performance Cores (P-cores)8--
Efficient Cores (E-cores)4--
Clock Speed2.1 GHz3.0 GHz
Turbo Clock4.9 GHz3.5 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
Multiplier21.0x30.0x
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 i7-6950X
L1 Cache80 KB64 KB
L2 Cache1.25 MB256 KB
L3 Cache25 MB25 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 i7-6950X
SocketIntel Socket 1700Intel Socket 2011-3
PCI ExpressPCIe 5.0 x16, PCIe 4.0 x4PCIe 3.0 x40
Thermal Design Power (TDP)65 W140 W
Power Limit 1 (PL1)65 W--
Power Limit 2 (PL2)180 W--
Tcase Max--67 °C
TJ Max100 °C--

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

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

SpecCore i7-12700Core i7-6950X
Bundled CoolerLaminar RM1--
Integrated GraphicsUHD Graphics 770--
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, AVX2, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NI, TXT, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, Boost 3.0

Check out these comparisons for similar CPUs:

Looking for alternatives? Check out these similar CPUs:

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