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CPU comparison

Intel Core i7-14700 vs Intel Core i9-12900K

Benchmark comparison and full specifications, with the measured difference and a clear winner for gaming, office work, daily use and content creation.

ACheck Price on AmazonIntel Core i7-14700BCheck Price on AmazonIntel Core i9-12900K

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

APart A

Intel

Core i7-14700

  • Blender render score 317 samples/min
  • Cores 20
  • Max boost clock 5.4 GHz
VS

BPart B

Intel

Core i9-12900K

  • Blender render score 339 samples/min
  • Cores 16
  • Max boost clock 5.2 GHz
Compare other parts

01 · Performance profile

How they score

Scores out of 100 for each way you might use a processor. The chart shows where both parts rank among all 667 CPUs in our database.

Measured performance

Intel Core i9-12900K is 7% faster in the Blender benchmark

AIntel Core i7-14700317

Median of 11 submissions

BIntel Core i9-12900K339

Median of 13 submissions

Blender Benchmark render score (samples per minute, higher is faster), the median of community-submitted results from Blender Open Data.

A
B
Lowest: 2Average: 22Highest: 79

Gaming

A66%Good
B61%Good

Better pick: Core i7-14700 · Max boost clock: 5.4 GHz vs 5.2 GHz

Office Work

A83%Excellent
B72%Good

Better pick: Core i7-14700 · TDP / base power: 65 W vs 125 W

Daily Use

A72%Good
B64%Good

Better pick: Core i7-14700 · TDP / base power: 65 W vs 125 W

Content Creation

A58%Good
B55%Good

Too close to call

02 · Verdict

Intel Core i7-14700 comes out ahead

It wins 5 of 8 compared specifications and scores higher overall. Check current prices before you buy.

AIntel Core i7-14700

70/100

BIntel Core i9-12900K

63/100

AIntel Core i7-14700

Advantages

  • TDP / base power 65 W vs 125 W (48% lower)
  • Cores 20 vs 16 (25% higher)
  • Threads 28 vs 24 (17% higher)
  • L3 cache 33 MB vs 30 MB (10% higher)
  • Max boost clock 5.4 GHz vs 5.2 GHz (4% higher)

Disadvantages

  • Base clock 2.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz (34% lower)
  • Blender render score 317 samples/min vs 339 samples/min (6% lower)

BIntel Core i9-12900K

Advantages

  • Base clock 3.2 GHz vs 2.1 GHz (52% higher)
  • Blender render score 339 samples/min vs 317 samples/min (7% higher)

Disadvantages

  • TDP / base power 125 W vs 65 W (92% higher)
  • Cores 16 vs 20 (20% lower)
  • Threads 24 vs 28 (14% lower)
  • L3 cache 30 MB vs 33 MB (9% lower)
  • Max boost clock 5.2 GHz vs 5.4 GHz (4% lower)

03 · Full comparison

Side-by-side specifications

SpecificationAIntel Core i7-14700BIntel Core i9-12900K
Measured performance
Blender render scoreMedian of community-submitted Blender Benchmark results (Blender Open Data). Higher is faster.317 samples/min339 samples/min Better +7%
Benchmark submissionsHow many results the median is based on. Small numbers are less reliable.1113
Cores & clocks
Cores20 Better +25%16
Efficiency (E) cores128
Threads28 Better +17%24
Base clock2.1 GHz3.2 GHz Better +52%
Max boost clock5.4 GHz Better +4%5.2 GHz
Memory & cache
L3 cache33 MB Better +10%30 MB
Memory supportDDR4 / DDR5DDR4 / DDR5
Power
TDP / base power65 W Better125 W
Features
Integrated graphicsYesYes
Platform
ArchitectureRaptor Lake RefreshAlder Lake
SocketLGA1700LGA1700
Manufacturing processIntel 7Intel 7
Release year20242021
Launch price$384$589

Ready to buy?

Prices change daily. Check the current price of each part.

ACheck Price on Amazon: Core i7-14700BCheck Price on Amazon: Core i9-12900K

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

Intel Core i7-14700 vs Intel Core i9-12900K at a glance

This page compares the Intel Core i7-14700 and the Intel Core i9-12900K using published specifications and real measured benchmark results. In the Blender Benchmark, Intel Core i9-12900K posts a median render score of 339 against 317 for Intel Core i7-14700, making it 7% faster. The medians are based on 13 and 11 community submissions.

Intel Core i7-14700: 20 cores, 28 threads, 5.4 GHz max boost clock, 65 W tdp / base power, released in 2024, launched at $384. Intel Core i9-12900K: 16 cores, 24 threads, 5.2 GHz max boost clock, 125 W tdp / base power, released in 2021, launched at $589.

Our overall scores are 70 for Core i7-14700 and 63 for Core i9-12900K out of 100. By use case, the better pick is, for gaming: Core i7-14700; for office work: Core i7-14700; for daily use: Core i7-14700; for content creation: too close to call. Blender measures rendering rather than game frame rates, so treat the gaming result as a guide built from render performance and specifications.

Core i7-14700 vs Core i9-12900K FAQ

Which is faster, the Core i7-14700 or the Core i9-12900K?

In the Blender Benchmark, Intel Core i9-12900K posts a median render score of 339 against 317 for Intel Core i7-14700, making it 7% faster. The medians are based on 13 and 11 community submissions.

Which uses more power, the Core i7-14700 or the Core i9-12900K?

The Intel Core i9-12900K is rated at 125 W and the Intel Core i7-14700 at 65 W, so the Core i7-14700 draws 92% less on paper. Rated power is not the same as power drawn in your own workload.

How much did the Core i7-14700 and the Core i9-12900K cost at launch?

The Intel Core i7-14700 launched at $384 and the Intel Core i9-12900K at $589. Street prices change often, so check a current price before buying.

Is the Core i7-14700 or the Core i9-12900K better for gaming?

Our gaming score favours the Intel Core i7-14700 (66 vs 61 out of 100). That score blends measured render performance with clock speed, cache and memory, because no game benchmark is included in our data.

More CPU comparisons

About this data

Benchmark numbers come from Blender Open Data, a public collection of results submitted by real users, shown as medians with the submission count. Specifications and launch prices are compiled from manufacturer information and may contain mistakes. See how it all works on thePC Parts Comparison page, or report an error through our contact page. This page contains affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.