Intel Core i7-12700K vs Intel Core i9-12900HK

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-12700K or Intel Core i7-12700K – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-12700K features 12 processor cores and has the capability to manage 20 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2021 and belongs to the 12 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-12700K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1700 socket.
The Intel Core i9-12900HK features 14 processor cores and has the capability to manage 20 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2022 and belongs to the 12 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-12900HK, you'll need a motherboard with a BGA 1744 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Mobile
Intel Core i7-12700K Name Intel Core i9-12900HK
Intel Core i7 Family Intel Core i9
12 Generation 12
Intel Core i 12000 Group Intel Core i 12000H
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-12700K has 12 CPU cores and can calculate 20 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the A-Core is 3.6 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
Processors with hybrid (big.LITTLE) architecture strike a balance between performance and power efficiency, making them ideal for mobile devices.
The Intel Core i9-12900HK has 14 CPU cores and can calculate 20 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the A-Core is 2.5 GHz.
5.0 GHz A-Core Frequency Turbo 5.0 GHz
2.7 GHz B-Core Frequency 1.8 GHz
3.6 GHz A-Core Frequency 2.5 GHz
4x Gracemont Cores B 8x Gracemont
8x Golden Cove Cores A 6x Golden Cove
Yes Overclocking No
hybrid (big.LITTLE) Core architecture hybrid (big.LITTLE)
3.8 GHz B-Core Frequency Turbo 3.8 GHz
20 Threads 20
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
12 CPU Cores 14
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-12700K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i7-12700K uses the Intel UHD Graphics 770, which has 256 texture shaders
and 32 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Intel Core i9-12900HK has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i9-12900HK uses the Intel Iris Xe Graphics 96 (Alder Lake), which has 768 texture shaders
and 96 execution units.
0.3 GHz GPU frequency 0.4 GHz
Q4/2021 Release date Q1/2022
12 Direct X 12.1
Intel UHD Graphics 770 GPU name Intel Iris Xe Graphics 96 (Alder Lake)
10 nm Technology 10 nm
-- Max. displays --
256 Shaders 768
64.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 32.0 GB
32 Execution units 96
11 Generation 13
1.5 GHz GPU (Turbo) 1.45 GHz
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
Decode / Encode AVC Decode / Encode
Decode VC-1 Decode
Decode / Encode VP9 Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode h264 Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode VP8 Decode
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode JPEG Decode / Encode
Decode AV1 Decode
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
2 Memory channels 2
128.0 GB Max. Memory 64.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
Yes ECC No
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 76.8 GB/s
DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 Memory type DDR4-3200, LPDDR4X-4266, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-5200
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 125 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 45 W watts.
100 °C Tjunction max 100 °C
190 W TDP (PL2) 115 W
125 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 45 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-12700K is manufactured using a 10 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 25.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i9-12900HK is manufactured using a 10 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 24.0 MB cache.
Q4/2021 Release date Q1/2022
BX8071512700K Part Number --
12.0 MB L2-Cache 11.5 MB
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Alder Lake S Architecture Alder Lake H
10 nm Technology 10 nm
LGA 1700 Socket BGA 1744
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
409 $ Release price 635 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
25.0 MB L3-Cache 24.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
34688
34688
Intel Core i9-12900HK
14C 20T @ 2.5 GHz
28632
28632

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
22812
22812
Intel Core i9-12900HK
14C 20T @ 2.5 GHz
18197
18197

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
14992
14992
Intel Core i9-12900HK
14C 20T @ 2.5 GHz
12662
12662

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
14129
14129
Intel Core i9-12900HK
14C 20T @ 2.5 GHz
11894
11894

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
8750
8750
Intel Core i9-12900HK
14C 20T @ 2.5 GHz
6892
6892

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
3327
3327
Intel Core i9-12900HK
14C 20T @ 2.5 GHz
2639
2639

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
2528
2528
Intel Core i9-12900HK
14C 20T @ 2.5 GHz
2426
2426

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
1939
1939
Intel Core i9-12900HK
14C 20T @ 2.5 GHz
1938
1938

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
1872
1872
Intel Core i9-12900HK
14C 20T @ 2.5 GHz
1754
1754

Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
757
757
Intel Core i9-12900HK
14C 20T @ 2.5 GHz
710
710

Blender 3.1 Benchmark

Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
319
319
Intel Core i9-12900HK
14C 20T @ 2.5 GHz
260
260

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 3.6 GHz
286
286
Intel Core i9-12900HK
14C 20T @ 2.5 GHz
257
257