Intel Core i7-9700K vs Intel Core i9-12900K
39Single-core72.2
35.5Multi-core70.4
39.8Gamingspec-based63.8
2 spec wins — Intel Core i7-9700K16 spec wins — Intel Core i9-12900K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i9-12900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 69.3 to 37.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+35) and single-core (+33). Intel Core i7-9700K 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 i7-9700K
- 24% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 125 W
- 12% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz
- Lower launch price: $374 vs $648
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-12900K
- Stronger single-core score: 72 vs 39
- Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 36
- 600% higher L2 cache: 14 MB vs 2 MB
- 200% higher threads: 24 vs 8
- 187% higher PassMark: 41,103 vs 14,300
General
| Spec | Intel Core i7-9700K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018 | 2021 |
| Socket | LGA1151-v2 | LGA1700 |
| Process | 14 nm | 10 nm+29% |
| Base TDP | 95 W+24% | 125 W |
| Max turbo power | 119 W | 241 W+103% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-9700K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8 | 16+100% |
| Performance cores | 8 | 8 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 8 |
| Threads | 8 | 24+200% |
| Base clock | 3.6 GHz+12% | 3.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.9 GHz | 5.2 GHz+6% |
| L2 cache | 2 MB | 14 MB+600% |
| L3 cache | 12 MB | 30 MB+150% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i7-9700K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| iGPU clock | 1,200 MHz | 1,550 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i7-9700K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2666 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i7-9700K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 5+67% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-9700K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,680Bottom 40% | 2,715+62%Top 32% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 7,000Bottom 38% | 17,450+149%Top 24% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,250Bottom 28% | 1,903+52%Top 30% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 9,700Bottom 35% | 26,229+170%Top 19% |
| PassMark | 14,300Bottom 25% | 41,103+187%Top 24% |
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