Intel Core i7-12700K Alder Lake CPU (2021)

MSRP 409 USD72% Neofiliac74% External
Keywords: alder-lakecpuddr5desktophybridintelintel-corepcie-5

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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% (not directly comparable across industries)
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% (not directly comparable across industries)
    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
    Read More

    Price Comparison

    Specifications

    Connectivity

    CPU Socket
    FCLGA1700
    PCI Express
    5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes (Up to 1x16+4, 2x8+4)
    Ports
    eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4a, HDMI 2.1

    Construction

    Form Factor
    Desktop microprocessor Box
    Lithography
    Intel 7
    Platform
    Alder Lake

    Dimensions

    Size | Depth
    37.5 mm
    Size | Width
    45.0 mm

    Function

    Graphics
    Intel® UHD Graphics 770, 32 execution units, Base 300 MHz, Boost 1.50 GHz, Max 4 displays, DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, OpenCL 3.0
    Operating Temperature
    Max Tjunction 100°C
    Processor | Cores
    12 Cores (8 performance cores / 4 efficient cores)
    Processor | Threads
    20 Threads
    Resolution
    Max res DP 7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz / Max res HDMI 4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
    Security
    vPro Enterprise, Threat Detection Technology (TDT), Active Management Technology (AMT), Standard Manageability (ISM), One-Click Recovery, Hardware Shield Eligibility, Control-Flow Enforcement Technology, Total Memory Encryption - Multi Key, Total Memor...
    Supported Technologies
    Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0, Thread Director, Deep Learning Boost (Intel DL Boost), Optane™ Memory Supported, Speed Shift Technology, Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0, Hyper-Threading Technology, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology, Thermal...
    Thermal Solution
    PCG 2020A
    Video
    Clear Video HD Technology

    Performance

    Cache
    25 MB Intel® Smart Cache12 MB L2
    Frequency
    Max Turbo: 5.00 GHz(Max P-core: 4.90 GHz / Max E-core: 3.80 GHz) | (Base P-core: 3.60 GHz / Base E-core: 3.60 GHz)
    Memory | Capacity
    Supports up to 128 GB
    Memory | Type
    Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s, Max 2 channels, ECC supported, Max bandwidth 76.8 GB/s
    Power Consumption
    125 W Base / 190 W Turbo

    Production

    Debut
    2021 Q4
    Model Name
    i7-12700K

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    Launch Comparison
    Clear List

    3rd-Party Review Videos

    External Reviews

    pcmag[1]

    Reviewer score 71%
    Reviewers from pcmag have found the following***:
    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.
    Find the original article here.
    Pros
    • Improved single-threaded performance
    • New E-Cores
    Cons
    • Higher price than Core i9-12700K
    • No integrated graphics

    tomshardware[2]

    Reviewer score 77%
    Reviewers from tomshardware have found the following***:
    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.
    Find the original article here.
    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

    User Reviews

    Comments

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    References

    1. ^ Intel Core i7-12700K Review. [pcmag]. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/intel-core-i7-12700k. 2021-12-30. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
    2. ^ Intel Core i7-12700K Review: Taking the Shine Off Core i9. [tomshardware]. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i7-12700k-review. 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2021-12-13.

    The MSRP provided on this page may not apply to all regions equally. For the current price, please refer to the Price Comparison section.

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    Scores are not directly comparable across industries.

    These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.

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