Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
Intel Core i7-12700K vs Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K: Comparison
Core i7-12700K vs 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K l2 cache compared
On l2 cache the spread is 79%, Core i7-12700K 12 MB against 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K 2.5 MB, so Core i7-12700K takes it. Blender Cycles (CPU) backs the spec sheet up. Core i7-12700K scores 286 to 223 over 117 runs, 22% clear. L3 cache runs the same way, 25 MB on the Core i7-12700K versus 20 MB on the 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K, another win for Core i7-12700K. Pcie lanes runs the same way, 20 on the Core i7-12700K versus 16 on the 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K, another win for Core i7-12700K.
Who each one is for
The Core i7-12700K suits enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. Take the 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K for desktop gaming and content creation builds wanting near-flagship 10-core performance at a typically lower price than the i9-10900K. Avoid it for buyers specifically chasing the absolute highest available clock speed, the flagship i9-10900K, covered elsewhere on this site, edges ahead there. 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.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Total threads, p-core base clock, tdp, integrated graphics and socket status read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 6 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, Core i7-12700K or 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K?
The 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K asks 11% more, $453 against $409 for the Core i7-12700K.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i7-12700K and 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 12 on the Core i7-12700K versus 10 on the 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K.
Is the Form Factor the same on the Core i7-12700K and 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K?
It is. Both are listed at Desktop, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Core
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- Core i9
Form Factor
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Desktop
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- Desktop
Model Number
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- i7-12700K
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 10850K
Codename
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Alder Lake
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- Comet Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 2021
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 2020
TDP
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 125 W
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 125 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
Market Segment
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Desktop
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Alder Lake
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- Comet Lake, 10th Gen Intel Core
Socket
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- FCLGA1700
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- FCLGA1200
Socket Status
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Mature
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- Mature
Process Node
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 10 nm
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 14 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 12Best
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 10
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 8
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 10Best
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 4Best
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 0
Total Threads
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 20
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 20
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Yes
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 3.6 GHz
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 3.6 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 4.9 GHz
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 5.2 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Yes
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- Yes
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 12 MBBest
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 2.5 MB-79%
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 25 MBBest
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 20 MB-20%
Base Power
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 125 W
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 190 W
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 250W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- DDR5 or DDR4Best
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- DDR4-2933
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 4800 MT/sBest
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 4 MT/s
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 2
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 2
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Yes
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- Yes
iGPU Model
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU Compute Units
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 32
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 24
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 20
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 16-20%
Launch MSRP
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- $409
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- $453
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Boxed Retail
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 286Best
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K
- 223-22%
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 L2 cache (12 MB vs 2.5 MB), the higher L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB) and the higher memory channels (2 vs 2).
Choose 10850K if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core i7-12700K | Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10850K |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $409.00 View on Amazon | $453.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| 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.