Intel Core i5-12500 vs. i7-10700 - Better for Gaming?

I recently bought a new gaming PC and I'm torn between the Intel Core i5-12500 and i7-10700 CPUs. Can anyone provide some insights on which one is better for gaming?

Both processors are great, but the i7-10700 has more cores and a higher single-core max turbo boost frequency, which can be beneficial in certain situations. However, the i5-12500 also performs well in many cases. It's ultimately up to personal preference and budget.

According to TechReviewer article Intel Core i5-12500 vs. Intel Core i7-10700, the Intel Core i7-10700 offers better performance overall due to its eight cores and higher single-core max turbo boost frequency compared to the Intel Core i5-12500's six cores and lower single-core max turbo boost frequency. However, for gaming, both CPUs offer mediocre performance because of their lack of support for PCIe 3.0 and DDR4 with a max stock speed of 2933 MHz.

That's interesting to know. I'm more into competitive shooters and fast-paced games. How would the number of cores affect my performance in these types of games?

The extra cores on the i7-10700 can help with multitasking, such as running multiple applications simultaneously while gaming or when streaming. However, for most modern games, having more than 6-8 cores doesn't provide a significant benefit. So, if your main focus is competitive shooters and fast-paced games, both CPUs should perform similarly.

I've heard that overclocking can improve performance, but I noticed neither CPU supports it. Is there any way to get around this limitation?

Unfortunately, the Intel Core i5-12500 and i7-10700 do not support overclocking. The only way to potentially improve performance would be through undervolting or tweaking other settings in your BIOS, but these methods are riskier and may cause instability. In general, it's better to choose a CPU that natively supports overclocking if you're looking for maximum performance potential.

What about the DDR support? How does this affect gaming performance?

The i5-12500 supports DDR5 with a max stock speed of 4800 MHz, while the i7-10700 supports DDR4 with a max stock speed of 2933 MHz. Having a faster memory speed can improve overall system performance and potentially enhance gaming performance, but it's not the only factor to consider. Other aspects like the CPU and GPU also play crucial roles in determining your gaming experience.

Based on this information, I think I'll go for the Intel Core i7-10700. It has more cores and a higher single-core max turbo boost frequency, which should help with my competitive games. Plus, it's future-proof to some extent since it supports PCIe 3.0, even though it might have mediocre DDR4 support. Thanks for all your input!

No problem, happy to help! The i7-10700 is a solid choice for gaming and should serve you well in the long run. Just make sure you pair it with a good GPU to maximize your gaming experience. Good luck with your new build!

I hope your new gaming PC performs as expected. Don't forget to read our comprehensive review on the TechReviewer website Intel Core i5-12500 vs. Intel Core i7-10700 for more insights into the Intel Core i5-12500 and i7-10700 CPUs.