I've been researching CPUs for my new gaming PC and I'm torn between the Intel Core i9-12900K and the i7-12700K. Can anyone here recommend which one is better for gaming? I'd love to hear some experiences with both.
Intel Core i9-12900K vs. i7-12700K for Gaming?
Started by kwroblewski on June 03, 2024
Both of those CPUs are great, but in terms of gaming performance, the 12900K should be superior due to its higher single-core max turbo boost frequency and more cores. The extra cores can really help when running multiple applications or processes simultaneously.
I've been using the i7-12700K for a couple months now, and it's been great for gaming so far! I haven't noticed any significant bottlenecks, but I'm not doing anything too intensive with my CPU. Have you looked into TechReviewer's comparison article? It might give you some insights: Intel Core i9-12900K vs. Intel Core i7-12700K.
That link from @apieceofbrownie is really helpful! Thanks for sharing it. From what I've read, the i9-12900K seems like a better fit for gamers who want to push their systems to the limit or play games that demand more from the CPU.
I recently bought an i9-12900K and I must say, the performance improvement is noticeable in most of my games. The extra cores really make a difference when playing some of the more graphically intensive titles. However, for less demanding games, I didn't notice much of a difference between the two CPUs.
Thanks for your input @Rethen113. So, if I understand correctly, if I mostly play less demanding games, would it be worth getting the i7-12700K instead? Or is the extra power of the i9-12900K still beneficial in some way?
It really depends on your specific needs and budget. If you're primarily playing less demanding games, the i7-12700K might be sufficient and could save you some money. However, if you anticipate upgrading your GPU or have a higher budget, the i9-12900K's extra power could come in handy for future-proofing your setup.
Another thing to consider is overclocking potential. The 12900K has better support for overclocking, so if you're comfortable with that process, it might give you even more performance than stock speeds. But remember, overclocking can increase temperatures and potentially void warranties, so proceed with caution!
I've heard mixed things about the thermal paste in the i9-12900K. Some people have had issues with overheating under load, while others haven't experienced any problems at all. It's definitely something to research more if you're leaning towards that CPU.
All of this information is really helpful. I'll do some more digging into the thermal paste issue and overclocking potential. Thanks everyone for your input!