Intel Core i7-12700K
Benchmarks & Specs

The Intel Core i7-12700K belongs to the 12th generation of Intel Core i processors. It is currently the top model of the Core i 7 processors and, like all Core i processors of the 12th generation, is based on a hybrid core architecture for the first time in Intels mainstream. Specifically, the Intel Core i7-12700K has a total of 12 CPU cores, which are divided into 8 large performance cores (Golden Cove) and 4 small and efficient Gracemont cores.

Since only the large performance cores can each process 2 threads (Hyper-Threading) and the Gracemont cores only offer 1 thread, the Intel Core i7-12700K can process a total of 20 threads at the same time.

Intel calls this CPU generation "Alder Lake S". For the first time, these are desktop processors from Intel, which are produced in Intels 10 nm process (roughly comparable to TSMCs 7 nm production). Thanks to the new architecture and the new manufacturing process, Intel can catch up with AMD again with the 12th generation Core i processors or even often overtake the Ryzen 5xxx processors.

According to its own information, Intel was able to increase the IPC (performance per clock cycle) of the 12th generation by approx. 15%, after the previous CPUs had already brought a similar increase in performance (Rocket Lake S). The Intel Core i7-12700K is easy to overclock thanks to the free multiplier (recognizable by the "K" at the end of the product description).

Intel has also fundamentally revised the iGPU (internal graphics unit) of the Intel Core i7-12700K. The latest Intel Xe graphics technology is now used here, but only with 32 execution units (a maximum of 96 execution units are possible with Intels Xe iGPUs. However, these have so far been reserved for mobile processors).

In addition to PCIe 5.0, the new "Alder Lake S" processors now also support DDR5 memory. Officially, DDR5-4800 are the maximum, but by overclocking the RAM, even higher clock frequencies are possible.

• Innovative Hybrid Architecture (Alder Lake S)
• Support for PCIe 5.0
• Robust Multi-Core Performance
• Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770