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Intel Core i7-12700 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF: Comparison
Core i7-12700 vs Core Ultra 7 265KF: the total cores difference
There is no decisive spec gap here. Total cores splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, Core i7-12700 12 against Core Ultra 7 265KF 20. L2 cache runs the same way, 12 MB on the Core i7-12700 versus 36 MB on the Core Ultra 7 265KF, another win for Core Ultra 7 265KF. Add l3 cache to that, 25 MB on the Core i7-12700 versus 30 MB on the Core Ultra 7 265KF, and the pattern holds.
Core i7-12700 vs Core Ultra 7 265KF: which one fits your build
The Core i7-12700 is the one to take for desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is not the pick for laptops and fanless designs. Buy the Core Ultra 7 265KF for desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Core i7-12700 (8.2/10): the Intel Core i7-12700 is a mainstream desktop processor, a solid all-rounder for gaming and productivity builds. Our rating of the Core Ultra 7 265KF (8.5/10): the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF is a flagship unlocked desktop Arrow Lake-S processor, a solid pick for overclocking enthusiasts.
Core i7-12700 vs Core Ultra 7 265KF price
At the last price check the Core i7-12700 was $339 and the Core Ultra 7 265KF $379, a 12% premium.
What Core i7-12700 and Core Ultra 7 265KF have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, performance cores, total threads, form factor, market segment and memory channels included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 3 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i7-12700 and Core Ultra 7 265KF differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 4 on the Core i7-12700 versus 12 on the Core Ultra 7 265KF.
Is the Copilot Plus Certified the same on the Core i7-12700 and Core Ultra 7 265KF?
It is. Both are listed at No, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core i7-12700
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Desktop
Codename
- Intel Core i7-12700
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Arrow Lake-S
Release Year
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 2022
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 2024
TDP
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 65 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 125 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i7-12700
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- None
Market Segment
- Intel Core i7-12700
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i7-12700
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Arrow Lake-S
Socket
- Intel Core i7-12700
- FCLGA1700
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- FCLGA1851
Socket Status
- Intel Core i7-12700
- Mature
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Current
Process Node
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 7 nm
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 3 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 12
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 20Best
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 8
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 4
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 12Best
Total Threads
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 20
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 20
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i7-12700
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 2.1 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 3.9 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 4.8 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 5.4 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 1.6 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 3.3 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 3.6 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 4.6 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i7-12700
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Yes
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 12 MB-67%
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 36 MBBest
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 25 MB-17%
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 30 MBBest
Base Power
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 65 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 180 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 250 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i7-12700
- DDR5, DDR4
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- DDR5
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 4800 MT/s
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 6400 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 2
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 128 GB
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 256 GBBest
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i7-12700
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i7-12700
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i7-12700
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i7-12700
- 20-17%
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 24
Launch MSRP
- Intel Core i7-12700
- $339
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- $379
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i7-12700
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12700 if you want the higher memory channels (2 vs 2).
Choose 265KF if you want the higher L2 cache (36 MB vs 12 MB), the higher L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB) and the higher PCIe lanes (24 vs 20).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core i7-12700 | Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $339.00 View on Amazon | $379.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Micro Center | View on Micro Center |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Intel Core i7-12700
8.2 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i7-12700 is a mainstream desktop processor, a solid all-rounder for gaming and productivity builds.
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF is a flagship unlocked desktop Arrow Lake-S processor, a solid pick for overclocking enthusiasts.