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Intel Core i7-12700K vs Intel Core i7-14700KF: Comparison
Core i7-12700K vs Core i7-14700KF: the total cores difference
There is no decisive spec gap here. Total cores splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, Core i7-12700K 12 against Core i7-14700KF 20. The benchmark result agrees. Blender Cycles (CPU) puts Core i7-14700KF 36% ahead, 444 against 286 over 121 runs. L3 cache runs the same way, 25 MB on the Core i7-12700K versus 33 MB on the Core i7-14700KF, another win for Core i7-14700KF. Add l2 cache to that, 12 MB on the Core i7-12700K versus 28 MB on the Core i7-14700KF, and the pattern holds.
Who each one is for
Buy the Core i7-12700K for enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is not the pick for laptops and fanless designs. The Core i7-14700KF suits enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Core i7-12700K (7.9/10): the Intel Core i7-12700K is an unlocked overclockable chip, well suited to enthusiast gaming and productivity builds. Our rating of the Core i7-14700KF (8.7/10): the Intel Core i7-14700KF is an unlocked flagship desktop chip, a top pick for enthusiasts who want to overclock.
What Core i7-12700K and Core i7-14700KF have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, performance cores, tdp, socket, form factor and market segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 10 further specifications as well.
Core i7-12700K vs Core i7-14700KF price
Cost splits them too. Core i7-14700KF sits at $384, Core i7-12700K at $409, 7% more.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i7-12700K and Core i7-14700KF differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 4 on the Core i7-12700K versus 12 on the Core i7-14700KF.
Is the SMT Enabled the same on the Core i7-12700K and Core i7-14700KF?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Core
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Core i
Form Factor
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Desktop
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Desktop
Model Number
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- i7-12700K
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 14700KF
Codename
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Raptor Lake Refresh
Release Year
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 2021
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 2023
TDP
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 125 W
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 125 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- None
Market Segment
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Desktop
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Raptor Lake Refresh
Socket
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- FCLGA1700
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Mature
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- End of Life
Process Node
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 10 nm
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 12
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 20Best
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 8
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 4
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 12Best
Total Threads
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 20
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 28Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Yes
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 3.6 GHz
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 3.4 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 4.9 GHz
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 5.5 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 2.7 GHz
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 2.5 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 3.8 GHz
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 4.3 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Yes
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Yes
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 12 MB-57%
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 28 MBBest
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 25 MB-24%
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 33 MBBest
Base Power
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 125 W
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 190 W
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 253 W
Bundled Cooler
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- None
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- None
Memory Type
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- DDR5 or DDR4
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- DDR5 or DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 4800 MT/s
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 5600 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 2
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 192 GBBest
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Yes
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- No
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 20
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 20
Launch MSRP
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- $409
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- $384
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 286-36%
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 444Best
Blender 4.5, Blender Open Data (CC0). Median of monster + junkshop + classroom, combined samples/min.
Renders a 3D scene using every core. Shows speed for 3D and rendering work, not gaming.
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12700K if you want the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (20 vs 20).
Choose 14700KF if you want the higher L2 cache (28 MB vs 12 MB), the higher L3 cache (33 MB vs 25 MB) and the higher blender cycles (CPU) (444 vs 286).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core i7-12700K | Intel Core i7-14700KF |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $409.00 View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | $384.00 View on Newegg |
| B&H Photo | View on B&H Photo | View on B&H Photo |
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 i7-12700K
7.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i7-12700K is an unlocked overclockable chip, well suited to enthusiast gaming and productivity builds.
Intel Core i7-14700KF
8.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i7-14700KF is an unlocked flagship desktop chip, a top pick for enthusiasts who want to overclock.