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Intel Core i7-12700K Alder Lake

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Product Overview

Intel Core i7-12700K is a premium desktop microprocessor based on Intel's 12th-gen Core Alder Lake architecture. Like the i5-12600K and i9-12900K unveiled at the same time, the i7-12700K features a new "hybrid" design, in this case with 8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores.
With this hybrid design, Intel is able to offer a significant performance boost over the 11th-gen chips (notably the i7-11700K). At the same time, the move to the Intel 7 (10nm) process affords the i7-12700K more leeway in turbo performance: the CPU is able to stay at boost clock significantly longer than before, though it still consumes a lot of electricity while doing so.
The inclusion of efficiency cores, meanwhile, allows Intel to do away with "TDP down" mode: in situations where this were called for, the CPU simply runs the efficiency cores instead.
Other notable highlights include support for PCIe 5 and DDR5 memory, though compatible components remain rare and expensive.
Those who intend on installing their own discrete graphics card can opt for the i7-12700KF, which drops the integrated UHD 770 graphics but is otherwise identical.

Ratings

What we found

Neofiliac score 72%
Pros
  • 12 cores / 20 threads
  • Supports DDR5 memory
  • ECC memory
  • Has integrated graphics
  • PCIe 5.0 support
Cons

    What external reviewers found

    External score 74%
    Pros
    • Improved single-threaded performance
    • Supports PCIe 3.0 and x8 DMI 4.0
    • Improved connectivity options
    • New E-Cores
    • DDR5 and DDR5 DIMMs available in all price bands
    Cons
    • No integrated graphics
    • Higher latency than DDR4
    • Higher price than Core i9-12700K

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    Specifications

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    External Reviews

    pcmag[1]

    Reviewer score 71% (normalized by Neofiliac)
    Reviewers from pcmag have found:
    The Core i7-12700K is faster than its 11th Generation predecessor, but the degree to which performance has increased is rather impressive. It’s not quite as powerful as the Core i9-12900K for CPU-intensive tasks, and its performance gains aren’t substantial enough purely for gaming to recommend it. The Core i5-12600K might be a better option for a pure gaming build.
    Pros
    • Improved single-threaded performance
    • New E-Cores
    Cons
    • Higher price than Core i9-12700K
    • No integrated graphics

    tomshardware[2]

    Reviewer score 77% (normalized by Neofiliac)
    Reviewers from tomshardware have found:
    The standard Core i7-12700K comes with the UHD Graphics 770 with 32 EUs that run at a 300 / 1500 MHz base/boost. You will lose Quick Sync capabilities and the iGPU fallback that you can use for troubleshooting in the event of an issue with a discrete graphics card. Intel's Alder Lake drops into Socket 1700 motherboards with the Z690 chipset.
    Pros
    • DDR5 and DDR5 DIMMs available in all price bands
    • Supports PCIe 3.0 and x8 DMI 4.0
    • Improved connectivity options
    Cons
    • Higher latency than DDR4

    Also Check

    Product ComparisonProducts in DIYProducts by IntelKeyword alder-lakeKeyword pcie-5

    References

    1. ^ Intel Core i7-12700K Review. [pcmag].
    2. ^ Intel Core i7-12700K Review: Taking the Shine Off Core i9. [tomshardware].

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