How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i7-8700K scores 36.4/100 overall; Intel Core i9-12900K scores 69.3/100. Intel Core i7-8700K wins 2 individual spec rows, Intel Core i9-12900K wins 17.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i7-8700K and the Intel Core i9-12900K?

Intel Core i7-8700K advantages: 24% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 125 W; 16% higher Base clock: 3.7 GHz vs 3.2 GHz; Lower launch price: $359 vs $648. Intel Core i9-12900K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 72 vs 37; Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 35; 833% higher L2 cache: 14 MB vs 2 MB; 196% higher PassMark: 41,103 vs 13,900; 185% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 26,229 vs 9,200.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i7-8700K or Intel Core i9-12900K?

Intel Core i7-8700K launched cheaper at $359, versus $648 for the Intel Core i9-12900K.

Intel Core i7-8700K vs Intel Core i9-12900K

Intel

Intel Core i7-8700K

$359

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i9-12900K

$648

37.3Single-core72.2

34.7Multi-core70.4

38.5Gamingspec-based63.8

2 spec wins — Intel Core i7-8700K17 spec wins — Intel Core i9-12900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-12900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 69.3 to 36.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+36) and single-core (+35). Intel Core i7-8700K still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-8700K

24% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 125 W
16% higher Base clock: 3.7 GHz vs 3.2 GHz
Lower launch price: $359 vs $648

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-12900K

Stronger single-core score: 72 vs 37
Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 35
833% higher L2 cache: 14 MB vs 2 MB
196% higher PassMark: 41,103 vs 13,900
185% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 26,229 vs 9,200

General

General comparison: Intel Core i7-8700K versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	Intel Core i7-8700K	Intel Core i9-12900K
Announced	2017	2021
Socket	LGA1151-v2	LGA1700
Process	14 nm	10 nm+29%
Base TDP	95 W+24%	125 W
Max turbo power	—	241 W
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes
Cooler included	No	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i7-8700K versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	Intel Core i7-8700K	Intel Core i9-12900K
Cores	6	16+167%
Performance cores	6	8+33%
Efficiency cores	0	8
Threads	12	24+100%
Base clock	3.7 GHz+16%	3.2 GHz
Boost clock	4.7 GHz	5.2 GHz+11%
L2 cache	2 MB	14 MB+833%
L3 cache	12 MB	30 MB+150%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i7-8700K versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	Intel Core i7-8700K	Intel Core i9-12900K
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU clock	1,200 MHz	1,550 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i7-8700K versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	Intel Core i7-8700K	Intel Core i9-12900K
Memory support	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	64 GB	128 GB+100%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i7-8700K versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	Intel Core i7-8700K	Intel Core i9-12900K
PCIe version	3	5+67%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	20+25%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i7-8700K versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	Intel Core i7-8700K	Intel Core i9-12900K
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,560Bottom 34%	2,715+74%Top 32%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	6,800Bottom 36%	17,450+157%Top 24%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,270Bottom 30%	1,903+50%Top 30%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	9,200Bottom 32%	26,229+185%Top 19%
PassMark	13,900Bottom 23%	41,103+196%Top 24%

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