MSI High end
Check on Amazon MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi
$199–$220
Z790 tuning for unlocked CPUs
Intel Core i7-12700K
- Brand
- Intel
- Model
- Intel Core i7-12700K
Intel Core i7-12700K is a 12th-gen Alder Lake 12-core/20-thread unlocked LGA1700 CPU with UHD 770 iGPU for high-end gaming and creation; launched Q4 2021.
Compute rankTop 23% of CPUs
TierHigh end?GixCore tierWhat a part was built to do — not what it costs.EntryBudgetMainstreamHigh endEnthusiastFlagship A part can be cheap because it is an ageing flagship, or because it is a current entry-level model. The tier tells you which.
Released2021
As an Amazon Associate, GixCore earns from qualifying purchases.Pricing note?This range is based on our last recorded catalog price and is not a quote. Check Amazon for the current price.
Cores12
Threads20
SocketLGA1700
MemoryDDR4 / DDR5
Base clock3.60 GHz
Boost clock5 GHz
TDP125 W
Cache25 MB
GixCore Editorial
Product overview
Intel’s Core i7-12700K is a 12th‑gen “Alder Lake” desktop CPU for LGA1700, launched in Q4 2021 and announced on October 27, 2021. It pairs 12 cores (8P+4E) and 20 threads with a 3.6 GHz P‑core base and up to 5.0 GHz boost on Intel 7, and includes Intel UHD 770 integrated graphics.Sourceark.intel.com
Positioned in the high_end tier, it targets gamers and creators who want strong 1440p performance and fast parallel workloads without jumping to an i9. It supports DDR4‑3200 or DDR5‑4800 memory on Intel 600‑ and 700‑series motherboards, and the K‑suffix leaves overclocking headroom. As of August 2026, Intel ARK lists its marketing status as Launched (not discontinued).Sourceark.intel.com
Best for
Official product specifications - 1440p gaming
- streaming
- video editing
- 3D rendering
- office/productivity
Pairing fit
Compatible Motherboards
Compatible options ranked for this part's performance class. See all 16 →
ASUS High end
Check on Amazon Prime Z790-A WiFi 6E
$123–$136
Z790 tuning for unlocked CPUs
Asus High end
Check on Amazon ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi
$549–$607
Z790 tuning for unlocked CPUs
Asus High end
Check on Amazon TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi
$214–$236
Z790 tuning for unlocked CPUs
Gigabyte High end
Check on Amazon Z790 AORUS Elite AX
$124–$138
Z790 tuning for unlocked CPUs
Gigabyte High end
Check on Amazon Z790 Eagle AX
$161–$178
Z790 tuning for unlocked CPUsBudget pairings6 lower-tier compatible options
Gigabyte Mainstream
Check on Amazon B760 AORUS Elite AX
$114–$126
B760 platform match
MSI Mainstream
Check on Amazon MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi
$136–$150
B760 platform match
MSI Mainstream
Check on Amazon PRO B760-P WiFi DDR4
$133–$147
B760 platform match
ASUS Mainstream
Check on Amazon TUF GAMING B760-PLUS WIFI
$161–$178
B760 platform match
GIGABYTE Budget
Check on Amazon B760M DS3H AX
$119–$132
B760 platform match
Gigabyte Budget
Check on Amazon B760M Gaming Plus WiFi DDR4
$135–$150
B760 platform matchPairing fit
Compatible RAM kits
Compatible options ranked for this part's performance class.
Kingston High end
Check on Amazon KF564C32BBEAK2-64 64GB DDR5-6400
$1,272–$1,406
DDR5-6400 sweet spot
TEAMGROUP High end
Check on Amazon T-Force XTREEM DDR5 32GB (2x16GB) 6400MHz CL32 FFXD532G6400HC32ADC01
$551–$609
DDR5-6400 sweet spot
KLEVV High end
Check on Amazon Bolt V DDR5 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MHz CL30
$500–$552
DDR5-6000 sweet spot
Corsair High end
Check on Amazon CMK32GX5M2B6000C30 32GB DDR5-6000
$560–$619
DDR5-6000 sweet spot
G.SKILL High end
Check on Amazon F5-6000J3038F16GX2-TZ5NR 32GB DDR5-6000
$608–$672
DDR5-6000 sweet spot
TEAMGROUP High end
Check on Amazon T-Create Expert DDR5 32GB Kit (2 x 16GB) 6000MHz CL30
$541–$598
DDR5-6000 sweet spotBudget pairings6 lower-tier compatible options
PNY High end
Check on Amazon XLR8 Gaming 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 DRAM 4000MHz
$118–$130
DDR4 compatible value option
PNY Enthusiast
Check on Amazon XLR8 Gaming 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-4600
$118–$130
DDR4 compatible value optionPNY Enthusiast
Check on Amazon XLR8 Gaming 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-4400
$118–$130
DDR4 compatible value optionPNY Enthusiast
Check on Amazon XLR8 Gaming 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-4200
$118–$130
DDR4 compatible value option
Timetec Mainstream
Check on Amazon 32GB KIT (2x16GB) DDR5 5600MHz PC5-44800 UDIMM Desktop Memory
$475–$525
DDR5-5600 memory match
Kingston Mainstream
Check on Amazon KF556C40BB-16 16GB DDR5-5600
$359–$397
DDR5-5600 memory matchSpecifications
At a glance iDots are a representative catalog sample. Farther right means a higher measured value, not necessarily a better fit.Measured against the CPUs catalog
Current modelCatalog sample
Cores12
Higher than 74% of CPUs
Threads20
Higher than 75% of CPUs
Boost clock5 GHZ
Higher than 70% of CPUs
RAM speed4800 MT/s
Higher than 77% of CPUs
- Cores
- 12
- Threads
- 20
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory
- DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800
- Base clock
- 3.6 GHZ
- Boost clock
- 5 GHZ
- TDP
- 125 W
- Cache
- 25 MB
- Generation
- 12
- Bus Speed
- 8 GT/s
- Max Memory Size
- 128 GB
- ECC Support
- No
- Hyper Threading
- Yes
- Turbo Boost
- Yes
- Chipset
- Intel 600 Series, 700 Series
- Ram Speed
- 4800 MT/s