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Intel Core i7-14700KF vs Intel Core i9-12900F: Comparison
What is the difference between Core i7-14700KF and Core i9-12900F?
Expect a near tie. The closest thing to a difference is total cores, Core i7-14700KF 20 against Core i9-12900F 16. There is a split on e-core boost clock as well, 4.3 GHz on the Core i7-14700KF versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i9-12900F. P-core base clock is not the same on both, 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-14700KF versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i9-12900F. They differ on e-core base clock too, 2.5 GHz on the Core i7-14700KF versus 1.8 GHz on the Core i9-12900F. Core i7-14700KF also leads on l2 cache, 28 MB on the Core i7-14700KF versus 14 MB on the Core i9-12900F.
Core i7-14700KF vs Core i9-12900F: which one fits your build
The Core i7-14700KF suits enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is not the pick for laptops and fanless designs. Buy the Core i9-12900F for desktop gaming with discrete GPU and value desktop builds, though it is the wrong buy for laptops and fanless designs. 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. Our rating of the Core i9-12900F (8.1/10): the Intel Core i9-12900F is a graphics-less desktop chip, a good value pick for builds already using a discrete GPU.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: performance cores, integrated graphics, socket, form factor and igpu are identical here. They match on 8 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, Core i7-14700KF or Core i9-12900F?
Cost splits them too. Core i7-14700KF sits at $384, Core i9-12900F at $464, 21% more.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i7-14700KF and Core i9-12900F differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 12 on the Core i7-14700KF versus 8 on the Core i9-12900F.
Is the Market Segment the same on the Core i7-14700KF and Core i9-12900F?
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 i7-14700KF
- Core i
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Core
Form Factor
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Desktop
Model Number
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 14700KF
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- i9-12900F
Codename
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Raptor Lake Refresh
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 2023
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 2022
TDP
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 125 W
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 65 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- None
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- None
Market Segment
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Raptor Lake Refresh
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Alder Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- FCLGA1700
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- End of Life
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Mature
Process Node
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 10 nm
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 20Best
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 16
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 8
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 12Best
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 8
Total Threads
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 28Best
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 24
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 3.4 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 2.4 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 5.5 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 5 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 2.5 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 1.8 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 4.3 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 3.8 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- No
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 28 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 14 MB-50%
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 33 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 30 MB-9%
Base Power
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 125 W
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 65 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 253 W
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 202 W
Bundled Cooler
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- None
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Intel Laminar RM1
Memory Type
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- DDR5 or DDR4
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- DDR5 or DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 5600 MT/sBest
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 192 GBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- 20
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 20
Launch MSRP
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- $384
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- $464
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i7-14700KF
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 14700KF if you want the higher L2 cache (28 MB vs 14 MB), the higher L3 cache (33 MB vs 30 MB) and the higher memory channels (2 vs 2).
Choose 12900F if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core i7-14700KF | Intel Core i9-12900F |
|---|---|---|
| Newegg | $384.00 View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| B&H Photo | View on B&H Photo | |
| Amazon | View on Amazon | $464.00 View on Amazon |
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 i7-14700KF
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.
Intel Core i9-12900F
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-12900F is a graphics-less desktop chip, a good value pick for builds already using a discrete GPU.