Intel Core i7-12700K: high performance is a little more affordable and modest

CPU Intel Core i9-12900K The one we recently tested is a performance beast, but it comes with complications: the price is clearly unaffordable and it can be hard to control when it comes to heating.

That’s why we tried Intel Core i7-12700Kan option that is closer to the pocket of a demanding user who, in addition to the game, wants to work on tasks such as design and / or editing.

Intel Core i7-12700K Specs: Don’t Let the Numbers Confuse You

Intel Core i7-12700K contains added items for the 12th generation of Intel.

In total, it has 12 cores, of which 8 are productive and 4 are efficient. Each performance core has two threads. The total amount of 20 threads.

^{Specification Intel Core i7-12700K.}

The performance cores run at up to 5.0 GHz and are the ones that will work the hardest for demanding tasks. Efficient cores run at 3.8GHz and are specialized for second-rate tasks, so they don’t have to be the fastest.

It’s built in the process 10 nanometerswhich is now called the company Intel 7.

Intel 12th generation can work with DDR4 RAM or DDR5 and is compatible with PCIe 5a technology for which consumer products still seem to be in the oven.

Building a PC with Intel Core i7-12700K: what to look for?

Intel 12th generation supplied with socket LGA-1700. This will mean a new motherboard and a new cooling solution (or adapter if the manufacturer provides one).

This is the system we tested Intel Core i7-12700K:

• Motherboard MSI PRO Z690-A
• 2 RAM T-Force Vulcan DDR5 (5200 MHz)
• Cooler Noctua NH-U12A
• RTX 3070 Ti graphics card
• T-Force Z SATA SSD
• Storage Western Digital Black SN 770 PCIe 3
• MSI MPG A850GF power supply

If you already have a system and want Refreshyou can buy a plate for DDR4 RAM. Before a new purchase option DDR4 still attractive for its price, but DDR5 They get more land. And for now, the performance difference isn’t terrible.

Intel Core i7-12700K: much more manageable temperatures

Although Intel Core i7-12700K and Intel Core i9-12900K they have the same base consumption of 125W, the former topping out at 190W in Turbo mode, much less than its little brother’s 241W.

Noctua NH-U12A he had no problem managing this processor, without reaching thermal limits even with a slight overclock.

This fan cooling is as good as the AIO systems on the market today. And speaking of the market, you need to remember that the offer of coolers with compatibility LGA1700 is still growing.

Is the Intel Core i7-12700K worth it?

At this point in the year, the purchase is worth paying attention to. Leap in performance Intel 12th generation there will be an answer amdwhich will be presented at the end of August.

In turn, we know that Intel The launch of the 13th generation is already being prepared. Event Intel Innovation taking place on September 27 and 28 seems to be the most likely time window.

If you are looking for a computer for something else to play right now, Intel Core i7-12700K A perfectly reasonable option. If you just want to play, it’s most likely a system with Intel Core i5 be the best option by allocating more budget to the graphics card.

I just have to warn you: you might regret it, because great things are expected to come to PC.