Intel Core i7-12700K
The current Intel Core i7-12700K price from retailers, its key specifications, and how it performs for each job.
Intel · CPU · Intel 12th
Retailer photo of Intel Core i7-12700K. View this offer in Where to buy
Trade-offs: you want strong value with Balanced priorities specifically
- Cores / threads
- 12C / 20T
- Boost clock
- 5000 MHz
- Socket
- LGA 1700
- TDP
- 190 W
- Memory support
- DDR5, DDR4
Move a slider and the page re-scores this product against the same market frame.
What does it cost today, and is that a good price?
Market confidence: MediumConsider: Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF offers stronger value around $160.Compare
Prices & availability
Intel Core i7-12700K: current price and offers
Compare the offers we track for this model, across variants and retailers.
4 tracked offers · 4 retailers
| Variant | Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value · Balanced | Checked | Offer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7-12700K | Amazon | New | Check on Amazon | 36 | 2026-11-09 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i7-12700K | B&H | New | $315 | 32 | 2026-11-09 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i7-12700K | MemoryC | New | $353 | 28 | 2026-11-09 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i7-12700K | Newegg | New | $399 | 25 | 2026-11-08 | View offer → |
Prices are dated snapshots, not live quotes — confirm the final price at the store. New, refurbished and used offers are listed separately; used offers carry warranty and seller risk.
Performance and where it ranks
Two different questions, side by side. Performance compares what the hardware can do; Value compares what that capability costs at today’s price. A product can rank high on one and low on the other — that gap is the point.
Performance Balanced
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#79 of 270 graded processors
- #76 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 7700X 21
- #77 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 7700 20
- #78 AMDRyzen 7 7800X3D 20
- #79 IntelIntel Core i7-12700K 20
- #80 IntelIntel Core i7-12700KF 20
- #81 IntelIntel Core i9-12900 20
- #82 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 3900X 19
Value Balanced
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#132 of 270 currently priced processors
- #129 IntelIntel Core i7-14700 36
- #130 IntelIntel Core i7-14700K 36
- #131 IntelIntel Core i9-13900KF 36
- #132 IntelIntel Core i7-12700K 36
- #133 IntelIntel Core Ultra 7 265F 36
- #134 IntelIntel Core i5-7640X 36
- #135 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 3900X 36
Performance Gaming
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#86 of 270 graded processors
- #83 IntelIntel Core i7-12700KF 66
- #84 IntelIntel Core i5-14500 66
- #85 IntelIntel Core i5-12600KF 66
- #86 IntelIntel Core i7-12700K 66
- #87 IntelIntel Core i7-12700 66
- #88 IntelIntel Core i5-13500 65
- #89 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 8600G 65
Value Gaming
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#102 of 270 currently priced processors
- #99 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D 49
- #100 IntelIntel Core i9-13900F 48
- #101 IntelIntel Core i9-13900KF 48
- #102 IntelIntel Core i7-12700K 48
- #103 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 48
- #104 IntelIntel Core i5-12500 48
- #105 IntelIntel Core i7-11700KF 48
Performance Productivity
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#79 of 270 graded processors
- #76 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 7700X 21
- #77 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 7700 20
- #78 AMDRyzen 7 7800X3D 20
- #79 IntelIntel Core i7-12700K 20
- #80 IntelIntel Core i7-12700KF 20
- #81 IntelIntel Core i9-12900 20
- #82 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 3900X 19
Value Productivity
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#71 of 270 currently priced processors
- #68 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 5700X 51
- #69 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 8400F 50
- #70 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 9600 50
- #71 IntelIntel Core i7-12700K 50
- #72 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 8600G 50
- #73 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 5950X 49
- #74 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 4500 49
Performance Performance per Watt
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#107 of 270 graded processors
- #104 IntelIntel Core i7-13700K 33
- #105 IntelIntel Core i7-13700KF 33
- #106 IntelIntel Core i9-12900KS 33
- #107 IntelIntel Core i7-12700K 33
- #108 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 4500 33
- #109 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 4600G 33
- #110 IntelIntel Core i9-12900F 32
Value Performance per Watt
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#141 of 270 currently priced processors
- #138 IntelIntel Core i5-10600K 25
- #139 IntelIntel Core i7-11700K 25
- #140 IntelIntel Core i3-9350K 25
- #141 IntelIntel Core i7-12700K 25
- #142 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 3900X 25
- #143 IntelIntel Core i5-12500 25
- #144 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 7900X 25
These ladders follow the preset scenario shown above. Your own weights re-score this product, not the whole field.
What it is good for
| Scenario | this productCapability grade · Value at current price | Higher capability | Higher Value with current priorities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced (all-round)Weighted all-round view | GradeNo grade Value36 | Higher capability Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus 49 +101% capability | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF 79 +26% capability |
| GamingScenario capability | GradeB Value48 | Higher capability Ryzen 7 7800X3D S 65 +30% capability | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 7500F A 100 +5% capability |
| ProductivityScenario capability | GradeB Value50 | Higher capability Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus S 98 +101% capability | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus A 100 +41% capability |
| Performance per WattScenario capability | GradeC Value25 | Higher capability AMD Ryzen 7 9700X S 52 +131% capability | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 5500 C 100 +22% capability |
Balanced has no letter: it is a weighting preset, not a capability rubric. A grade answers “how well does this handle that job?” — price is never part of it. Relative Value puts the current market price back in.
Compare these grades with the full tier list
Browse shortlists for different uses
Trade-offs
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded B for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value with Balanced priorities specifically$125 is where Relative Value reaches 80 with Balanced priorities, in the 2026-11-02–2026-11-09 offer frame
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 5 245KF holds Relative Value 79 against its 36 with Balanced priorities, at $160
- Not the pick if Performance per Watt is your main useit grades only C there
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded B for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value for Gaming specifically$103 is where Relative Value reaches 80 for Gaming, in the 2026-11-02–2026-11-09 offer frame
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelAMD Ryzen 5 7500F holds Relative Value 100 against its 48 for Gaming, at $106
- Not the pick if Performance per Watt is your main useit grades only C there
Works well if
- Productivity is your main prioritygraded B for Productivity on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value for Productivity specifically$109 is where Relative Value reaches 80 for Productivity, in the 2026-11-02–2026-11-09 offer frame
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus holds Relative Value 100 against its 50 for Productivity. Check on Amazon.
- Not the pick if Performance per Watt is your main useit grades only C there
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Performance per Watt is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades C for Performance per Watt, but B for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Not the pick if Performance per Watt is your main useit grades C there; AMD Ryzen 7 9700X grades S at $245
- You want strong value for Performance per Watt specifically$88 is where Relative Value reaches 80 for Performance per Watt, in the 2026-11-02–2026-11-09 offer frame
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelAMD Ryzen 5 5500 holds Relative Value 100 against its 25 for Performance per Watt. Check on Amazon.
Models that suit Performance per Watt better, at this budget
Every line states the fact it was derived from, for the scenario selected above. Thresholds are calculated points on our value curve — information about where the maths turns, not instructions about what to pay.
Similar options to the Intel Core i7-12700K
Chosen for Balanced
Chosen for Gaming
Chosen for Productivity
Chosen for Performance per Watt
Alternatives stay near this product’s price range. Step-up options may exceed the standard budget envelope when the capability gain is meaningful.
More head-to-head comparisons in this category
Upgrade planner
Judge the change in the active scenario, then make the cash gap explicit.
Using page scenarioWhat are you upgrading from? These are the axes we compare on, and where this product stands in the current market.
We rank upgrades by out-of-pocket cost — the new price minus what yours is worth — not by sticker price.
Only candidates that clear the configured meaningful-upgrade gate will be shown; roles are omitted rather than filled.
Capability differences are expressed as tiers and index points, not as benchmark percentages we did not measure.
Specifications and compatibility
What this product is, and what to check before it goes into your build.
Core / Performance
- Cores
- 12
- Threads
- 20
- Performance cores
- 8
- Efficiency cores
- 4
- Base clock
- 3600 MHz
- Boost clock
- 5000 MHz
Power / Interface
- TDP
- 190 W
- Maximum turbo power
- 190 W
- Socket
- LGA 1700
- Memory support
- DDR5, DDR4
- Maximum memory
- 128 GB
- Integrated graphics
- Intel UHD 770
- Process node
- 10 nm
Show all specifications
Core / Performance
- L2 cache
- 12 MB
- L3 cache
- 25 MB
- Unlocked multiplier
- Yes
Warranty & release
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Release year
- 2021
Hover any value to see where it came from: a manufacturer specification, or a figure The Comparator calculated.
Sources: Comparator offer frame 2026-11-02–2026-11-09
What to check in your build
LGA 1700 required
Your motherboard must use socket LGA 1700. A different socket does not fit — this is a physical constraint, not a preference.
Board BIOS must list this model
A matching socket is necessary but not sufficient — check the vendor CPU support list.
DDR5, DDR4 memory
This processor takes DDR5, DDR4. Memory of another generation does not fit the slots, even on a board with the right socket.
Cooler rated for 190 W or more
No cooler is included. Your cooler must be rated for at least 190 W on socket LGA 1700.
Found an error? Report this specification Email the field, corrected value and an optional source.
Compatibility guidance is practical help, not a score. Missing data is shown as unknown, never invented.
Summary
Intel Core i7-12700K offers a balanced view across an all-round mix of priorities. It ranks #79 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 965. Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i7-12700K offers B-grade capability for Gaming. It ranks #86 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 965. AMD Ryzen 5 7500F currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i7-12700K offers B-grade capability for Productivity. It ranks #79 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 965. Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i7-12700K offers C-grade capability for Performance per Watt. It ranks #107 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 965. The C grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
FAQ
Why does Relative Value change when I choose another scenario?
Each scenario changes the weights applied to capability, price and the other published factors. The hardware facts stay fixed, but the value question changes, so its score and rank can change too.
Why can Amazon appear without a tracked price?
Amazon listing snapshots can participate in Value while fresh. We show Check on Amazon instead of its price; confirm the current price and availability at the store. When no current listing snapshot exists, Amazon is a search link only.
Useful links & sources
offer frame 2026-11-02–2026-11-09 · formula cpu-value-v6.1 · facts facts-2026-11-09 · Relative Value is an estimate from our current dataset, the selected weights and dated market prices — not an official product rating and not a price forecast. Target prices are calculation thresholds, not predictions. Methodology We are not a shop. Affiliate links may earn us a commission; they never change the calculations or the ranking.