Intel Core i7-12700KF vs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X: Which is the best CPU for gaming?

Comparing two excellent chips from Intel and AMD (Image via Amazon/Intel,AMD)
Comparing two excellent chips from Intel and AMD (Image via Amazon/Intel,AMD)

Today, we will be indulging in the Intel Core i7-12700KF vs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X battle to determine the better pick. Both chips have garnered significant popularity, each for its compelling reasons, and are even available at discounted prices, enhancing their appeal even further. Currently, they are among the best options for gamers seeking fantastic performance.

Each card has unique strengths that make it suitable for diverse audiences. This article will talk about the specs and performance of both cards to help you pick the right one.


Intel Core i7-12700KF vs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X: Specs

Deciding which is a better processor for gaming (Image via Amazon/Intel)
Deciding which is a better processor for gaming (Image via Amazon/Intel)

The biggest difference between both chips is their architecture. The Intel processor is built on Alder Lake architecture with performance plus efficiency core design with a 10nm process node. On the contrary, its counterpart is fabricated on a 7nm process and Zen 3 architecture with only performance cores.

Here are the hardware configurations of these chips:

Specifications

Intel Core i7-12700KF

AMD Ryzen 7 5700X

Architecture

Alder Lake

Zen 3

Cores

8 P-cores + 4 E-cores

8

Threads

16

16

Base frequency

3.6GHz

3.4GHz

Turbo frequency

4.9GHz

4.6GHz

L1 cache

80K (per core)

64K (per core)

L2 cache

12MB (shared)

512K (per core)

L3 cache

25MB (shared)

32MB (shared)

Fabrication process

10nm

7nm

TDP

125W

65W

Memory support

DDR5-4800 and DDR4-3200

DDR4-3200

PCIe version

5.0

4.0

Price

Available at $204

Available at $166

Based on the stats, it is clear that the option from Team Blue is more future-proof. It supports DDR5 memory and PCIe version 5.0. Additionally, it has faster clocks compared to the Ryzen 7 chip. However, it is slightly costlier compared to the Team Red offering.


Intel Core i7-12700KF vs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X: Which delivers optimal performance?

Intel Core i7-12700KF vs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X: Gaming test (Image via YouTube/Goldfries)
Intel Core i7-12700KF vs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X: Gaming test (Image via YouTube/Goldfries)

On-paper specs are good for a general overview. However, they are not capable of telling the true potential of a CPU. Comparing the actual performance is also very important before concluding anything. That’s why I have compiled a few synthetic test numbers of these chips from the Nano Review website.

Tests

Intel Core i7-12700KF

AMD Ryzen 7 5700X

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

1965 (+30%)

1513

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

22825 (+61%)

14185

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

2790 (+29%)

2166

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

15378 (+49%)

10313

Passmark CPU (Single-Core)

4017 (+19%)

3385

Passmark CPU (Multi-Core)

34439 (+29%)

26700

Things don’t look that good for the Ryzen processor here. It has fallen short in every test by a huge margin. Thus, it is safe to assume that the i7 12700KF is more optimized to deliver better overall performance.

On the brighter side for AMD, its processor is highly efficient with a TDP of just 65W, and it has more L3 cache.


Gaming test

As we are looking for the optimal gaming CPU, comparing both chips on various games is crucial. To get more insights into the Intel Core i7-12700KF vs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X battle, I have collected the average FPS of these chips on various popular titles. Data is sourced from the Thegamrone YouTube channel.

Games

Intel Core i7-12700KF

AMD Ryzen 7 5700X

Horizon Zero Dawn

149 (+9%)

136

Hitman 3

182 (+7%)

170

Mafia Definitive Edition

159 (+7%)

148

Forza Horizon 5

166 (+8%)

153

Cyberpunk 2077

128 (+12%)

114

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

138 (+9%)

126

Battlefield 5

220 (+8%)

202

Both chips have delivered good numbers. However, the Intel chip has performed slightly better, to be precise — 8% on average.


Intel Core i7-12700KF vs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X: Which processor is better for gaming?

Going by the analysis done above, the Intel chip takes the win. It has more cores and faster clocks and is a future-proof option. Though there are some tradeoffs, like higher TDP and comparatively high pricing, it is worth considering for its excellent performance and advanced features.


Check other comparisons:

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Edited by Adarsh J Kumar
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