When selecting a CPU for gaming, the most important characteristics are the clock speed (or frequency), number of cores and threads, cache size, and type of memory it supports. Additional considerations like integrated graphics and overclocking needs may also influence your selection.
In addition to discussing how good the 12700KF is for gaming, this article will discuss our recommended:
Is the 12700KF Good for Gaming?
When using Intel's Core i7-12700KF CPU for gaming, you can expect excellent game performance with a high-performance CPU cooler or good game performance with a basic or stock CPU cooler.
Check out our Recommended LGA 1700 Coolers
below.
This performance assessment is based on the following characteristics of the CPU and their relevance to the latest graphics-intense games:
- 25 MB of L3 cache is good for performance
- 8 Performance cores allow for excellent performance
- 3.60 GHz base frequency
- 5.00 GHz single-core max turbo boost frequency is excellent for performance (requires a high-end cooler)
- 4.90 GHz max turbo boost frequency of the Performance cores are excellent for performance (requires a high-end cooler)
- DDR5 support with a max stock speed of 4800 MHz can be excellent for performance
- Overclocking support can be excellent for performance (requires a high-end cooler)
- PCIe 5.0 support can be excellent for performance (with the fastest SSDs and GPUs)
Is the Cache Size of the 12700KF Good for Gaming?
A CPU's cache is a small amount of memory, close to the CPU cores, containing recently used data.
Games performance can improve as cache size increases, as it will reduce delays when retrieving commonly used game assets from memory.
An L3 cache capacity of at least 20 MB is ideal for game performance.
The Intel Core i7-12700KF has an L3 cache capacity of 25 MB.
The 12700KF's 25 MB of L3 cache is good for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Is the Core Count of the 12700KF Good for Gaming?
Increased core counts can improve the performance of games that use them, but most modern games don't benefit from having more than 6–8 cores. Remember that cache sizes often increase along with core counts, so if you want to increase your L3 cache, you may need to get a CPU with more cores.
Intel's Core i7-12700KF CPUs have 8 Performance (P) cores and 4 Efficiency (E) cores for a total of 12 cores.
The P cores are comparable to previous generation cores. Running a game will primarily use P cores.
E cores are focused on adding additional threads in an energy-efficient manner. They take up much less room on the CPU and generate less heat. However, their smaller cache and minimal interconnect capabilities make them more appropriate for offloading background tasks.
The 12700KF's 8 Performance cores allow for excellent performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Is the Clock Speed of the 12700KF Good for Gaming?
Single-core performance is essential for some games, as many don't take full advantage of multiple cores.
Turbo boost frequencies are only achieved under ideal circumstances. The safest strategy for consistent gaming performance with a basic cooler is to get a higher base clock speed processor. However, with adequate cooling, you may be able to maintain speeds near the max boost frequency.
When using a high-end cooler, the 12700KF CPU's support for overclocking can be excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
The 8 Performance cores have a 3.60 GHz base frequency and support a 4.90 GHz max turbo frequency.
The 12700KF has a 3.60 GHz base frequency, which is the speed before boosting. You can reach these base frequencies even without a high-end cooler.
With a high-end cooler, the 12700KF's 5.00 GHz single-core max turbo boost frequency is excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games. You can maintain these frequencies with a high-end cooler.
With a high-end cooler, the 12700KF's 4.90 GHz max turbo boost frequency of the Performance cores are excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games. P core turbo boost frequencies can be maintained with a high-end cooler.
Check out my article, Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for Intel's Core i7-12700KF, for recommended coolers that can maintain these boost frequencies.
Is the DDR Support of the 12700KF Good for Gaming?
The 12700KF CPU's support for DDR5 with a max stock speed of 4800 MHz can be excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Faster PC memory can improve game performance and frame rates, but using the fastest RAM may not have as much of an impact as upgrading your CPU and graphics card or adding more RAM.
Learn more about DDR in DDR4 vs. DDR5? Which You Should Buy.
Learn about our recommended RAM for the 12700KF in Choosing the Best RAM for Intel's Core i7-12700KF CPU.
What Does the KF Suffix in 12700KF Mean?
| Processor Name Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| K | "K" means it's an unlocked CPU. Unlocked CPUs have configurable frequencies and thus support overclocking. Your "motherboard" must support overclocking to overclock unlocked CPUs. Motherboards with Z-series chipsets typically support overclocking. Learn more about what each chipset supports in my article Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i7-12700KF CPU?. |
| F | "F" means it requires discrete graphics. In other words, it doesn't have integrated graphics (basically a GPU built into the processor), thus requiring a standalone graphics card. |
The 12700KF model name has an F suffix. F-suffixed CPUs do not contain integrated graphics, and a separate graphics card is required.
The 12700KF model name has a K suffix. K-suffixed CPUs can be overclocked with a compatible motherboard.
Motherboards with a Z-series chipset typically support overclocking. For example, motherboards with the Z690 or Z790 chipset usually support overclocking Intel's 12th and 13th Gen Core CPUs. Learn more about what each chipset supports in my article Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i7-12700KF CPU?.
Intel Core i7-12700KF
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Cooling the 12700KF
A CPU cooler's TDP (Thermal Design Power) rating indicates how much heat it can dissipate in watts. If the cooler can't keep your CPU cool enough, your CPU may throttle (slow down), and your cooler will constantly run at full speed.
Intel CPU specifications indicate this power dissipation number as "Processor Base Power" and "Maximum Turbo Power."
The Core i7-12700KF has a base TDP of 125 watts and a max turbo TDP of 190 watts.
A CPU cooler can still work with a lower TDP rating than the TDP of a CPU. However, the CPU will eventually throttle itself to a lower frequency to allow itself to cool.
The CPU may not achieve or maintain maximum turbo speeds without adequate cooling.
Learn more in Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for Intel's Core i7-12700KF.
The distance between heatsink screw holes for the LGA 1700 socket increased to 78x78 mm from the 75x75 mm spacing typical of recent sockets. This new spacing means you'll need a new cooler/
Motherboard Requirements for Core i7-12700KF Processors
For Intel's 12th generation Core i7 12700KF processor, you'll need a motherboard with an LGA 1700 socket and a compatible 700-series or 600-series chipset. However, 600-series chipsets were designed for the 12th generations Core processors and may limit the capabilities of your system.
Motherboards for Intel processors are made with chipsets provided by Intel. Each chipset offers a unique set of capabilities. However, motherboards must explicitly support features and capabilities for you to use them. Verify that a motherboard supports the features and capabilities you desire.
The "K" in the model name 12700KF means it's an unlocked processor that supports overclocking. You will need a motherboard with overclocking support to overclock this CPU. Motherboards with the Z690 or Z790 chipsets typically support CPU overclocking. If you don't want to use the overclocking functionality at this time, you can use a motherboard with Intel's other 700-series or 600-series desktop chipsets (e.g., H770, B760, H670, B660, H610).
The W680 and Q670 chipsets are intended for workstation and business use cases; their availability in stand-alone motherboards is limited.
For a detailed comparison of these chipsets, check out my article Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i7-12700KF CPU?.
Find Z790 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Find H770 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Find B760 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Find Z690 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Find H670 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Find B660 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Find H610 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Recommended Motherboards for the 12th Gen 12700KF
DDR5 Motherboard: Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Master
- Our recommended DDR5 motherboard to pair with the Core i7-12700KF is Gigabyte's Z690 AORUS Master:
GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
- PCIe 5.0 support
- It supports up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory (DDR5 provides the fastest memory speeds)!
- 10 Gbps Ethernet port is faster than any home Internet speed available with tons of room to spare for file transfers.
- Wi-Fi 6E makes it easy to reach the fastest speeds and future-proof your Wi-Fi system.
- Bluetooth 5.2 is great for streaming music to Bluetooth headphones.
- Four x4 NVMe M.2 slots, which is fantastic! Three of these run at PCIe 4.0 speeds, and one at PCIe 3.0 speeds.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 offers 20 Gbps USB speeds!
- Check the latest price of the GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master on Amazon (affiliate link).
DDR4 Motherboard: Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Elite AX DDR4
- Our recommended DDR4 motherboard to pair with the Core i7-12700KF is Gigabyte's Z690 AORUS Elite AX DDR4:
GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Elite AX DDR4 Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
- PCIe 5.0 support
- It supports up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory!
- 2.5 Gb Ethernet port is faster than most home Internet speeds with room to spare for file transfers.
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.2 is great for streaming music to Bluetooth headphones.
- Four x4 NVMe M.2 slots, which is fantastic! All four of these run at PCIe 4.0 speeds.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 offers 20 Gbps USB speeds!
- Check the latest price of the GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Elite AX DDR4 on Amazon (affiliate link).
Recommended LGA 1700 Coolers
Check out my article, Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for Intel's Core i7-12700KF, for more info about how to choose the best CPU cooler.
The LGA 1700 socket will require a CPU cooler that supports the new socket size. Some manufacturers are releasing upgrade kits for LGA 1200 heatsinks to support the new size.
Best AIO Liquid Cooler: Enermax Liqmax III 360
- This Enermax liquid cooler has an excellent cooling capability with a 360-watt TDP (Thermal Design Power).
- Supports a variety of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 2066, 2011-3, 2011, 1700, 1200, 1366, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150 and AMD AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1.
- Quiet operation at 14-27 dBA.
- You can get the LGA 1700 Enermax Mounting Kit for LIQMAX III on Amazon (affiliate link) or request a free LGA 1700 mounting kit via the LGA 1700 Mounting Kit Request Form.
- Make sure your computer case dimensions support this, as it will take up a decent amount of space!
Enermax Liqmax III 360 Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
Best Dual-Fan Air CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15
- Dual 140 mm fans provide 220-watt TDP (183 NSPR) of cooling capability.
- Supports a variety of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150, 2011, 2066 and AMD AM4, AM3, AM3+, AM2, AM2+, FM2, FM2+.
- Quiet operation at 24.6 dBA.
Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
Runner-Up - Dual-Fan Air CPU Cooler: Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510
- This CPU cooler doesn't have any fancy LED lights, but the dual 120 mm fans do a great job of cooling LGA 1700 CPUs.
- Suppose you think this cooler will take up too much space. In that case, Thermaltake has a few single-fan TOUGHAIR variants which use different orientations.
- This CPU cooler has a 2000 RPM max speed for optimal cooling.
- 180-watt TDP (Thermal Design Power).
Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510 Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
Our Recommended RAM
Before purchasing memory, review your motherboard specification to verify which speeds are supported. For example, if a DDR4 motherboard stated that it supports "DDR4 3400(O.C.) / 3333(O.C.) / 3300(O.C.) / 3200 / 3000," that would mean that it could support DDR4-3400, DDR4-3333, and DDR4-3300 with memory overclocking, and DDR4-3200 and DDR4-3000 at stock speeds. Motherboard specifications also indicate the maximum capacity per stick of RAM (DIMM) and across all slots.
Best Stock-Speed DDR5 RAM for 12700KF: Corsair Vengeance 4800 MHz
The Corsair Vengeance (4800 MHz version) DDR5 RAM is a highly dependable option for users seeking a balanced performance upgrade to pair with their Intel Core i7 12700KF CPU. With a 32 GB capacity in a 2-module kit, this RAM offers sufficient memory for intensive tasks like gaming, content creation, and video editing.
Find the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 4800 MHz RAM on Amazon (affiliate link).
This RAM boasts a clock speed of 4800 MHz and a latency of 17 ns (40-40-40-77 timings), enabling the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM to deliver swift and efficient performance. The DDR5 iteration of this RAM has made significant strides compared to its predecessors, boasting faster speeds and reduced latency compared to previous generations, which positions it as one of the most cutting-edge memory modules available. It is well-suited for demanding tasks that necessitate speedy data processing.
The Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM is a valuable addition to any value gaming rig or workstation, perfectly complementing the Intel Core i7 12700KF CPU. The modest voltage of 1.10 volts ensures that this RAM is energy-conscious and doesn't consume excessive power. The top-notch aluminum heatsinks offer superb thermal management and bestow the modules with a sleek and premium appearance while avoiding conflict with a CPU cooler. Furthermore, the Intel XMP 3.0 profile guarantees that the RAM is fine-tuned for Intel processors, delivering users a smooth and dependable experience.
The only downside to this RAM is that it has a lower clock speed, which is intensional since it's meant for people who want stock-speed DDR5 RAM without the desire to overclock.
Read the full overview of the Corsair Vengeance 32 GB DDR5-4800 CL40 RAM.
Best Overclocking DDR5 RAM for 12700KF: G.Skill RipJaws S5 5200 MHz
The G.Skill RipJaws S5 (5200 MHz version) DDR5 RAM stands out as a superb option for users to pair with their Intel Core i7 12700KF CPU and those who want the ability to overclock their RAM to higher speeds. This 32 GB kit, comprising two 16 GB modules, offers great memory capacity, making it perfect for intensive applications such as gaming, content creation, and video editing.
Find the G.Skill RipJaws S5 DDR5 5200 MHz RAM on Amazon (affiliate link).
Sporting an impressive clock speed of 5200 MHz and a latency of 11 ns (28-34-34-83 timings), the G.Skill RipJaws S5 DDR5 RAM delivers outstanding performance at breakneck speeds. It is well-suited for tasks that necessitate rapid data processing. The DDR5 iteration of this RAM has made significant strides compared to its predecessors, boasting faster speeds and reduced latency compared to previous generations, which positions it as one of the most cutting-edge memory modules available.
The G.Skill RipJaws S5 DDR5 RAM is essential to any high-performance gaming rig or workstation, working well with the Intel Core i7 12700KF CPU. Its low voltage of 1.35 volts ensures energy efficiency and prevents excessive power consumption. The premium aluminum heatsinks provide excellent thermal management and lend the modules a sophisticated and luxurious appearance. Furthermore, the Intel XMP 3.0 profile guarantees that the RAM is fine-tuned for Intel processors, delivering users a smooth and dependable experience.
The only downside to this RAM is that it's a little costly due to it being a higher clock speed DDR5 kit compared to the stock-speed version, but it's worth it for the speed boost.
Read the full overview of the G.Skill RipJaws S5 32 GB DDR5-5200 CL28 RAM.
Best Stock-Speed DDR4 RAM for 12700KF: Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200 MHz
The Corsair Vengeance LPX (3200 MHz version) DDR4 RAM is a highly dependable option for users seeking a balanced performance upgrade to pair with their Intel Core i7 12700KF CPU. With a 32 GB capacity in a 2-module kit, this RAM offers sufficient memory for intensive tasks like gaming, content creation, and video editing.
Find the Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 MHz RAM on Amazon (affiliate link).
This RAM boasts a clock speed of 3200 MHz and a latency of 10 ns (16-20-20-38 timings), enabling the Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 RAM to deliver swift and efficient performance. With that said, DDR4 is not as advanced as DDR5 RAM and does not offer the same level of performance in some instances. While DDR4 has improved performance compared to older versions, it is not as fast or efficient as the latest iterations of DDR5 RAM.
The Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 RAM is a valuable addition to any value gaming rig or workstation, complementing the Intel Core i7 12700KF CPU. The modest voltage of 1.35 volts ensures that this RAM is energy-conscious and doesn't consume excessive power. The top-notch aluminum heatsinks offer superb thermal management and bestow the modules with a sleek and premium appearance while avoiding conflict with a CPU cooler. Furthermore, the Intel XMP 2.0 profile guarantees that the RAM is fine-tuned for Intel processors, delivering users a smooth and dependable experience.
The only downside to this RAM is that it has a lower clock speed, which is intensional since it's meant for people who want stock-speed RAM without the desire to overclock and want DDR4 instead of DDR5.
Read the full overview of the Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 RAM.
Best Overclocking DDR4 RAM for 12700KF: Corsair Vengeance LPX 3600 MHz
The Corsair Vengeance LPX (3600 MHz version) DDR4 RAM is a highly dependable option for users seeking a balanced performance upgrade to pair with their Intel Core i7 12700KF CPU and those who want the ability to overclock their RAM to higher speeds. With a 32 GB capacity in a 2-module kit, this RAM offers sufficient memory for intensive tasks like gaming, content creation, and video editing.
Find the Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3600 MHz RAM on Amazon (affiliate link).
This RAM boasts a clock speed of 3600 MHz and a latency of 10 ns (18-22-22-42 timings), enabling the Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 RAM to deliver swift and efficient performance. With that said, DDR4 is not as advanced as DDR5 RAM and does not offer the same level of performance in some instances. While DDR4 has improved performance compared to older versions, it is not as fast or efficient as the latest iterations of DDR5 RAM.
The Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 RAM is a valuable addition to any value gaming rig or workstation, complementing the Intel Core i7 12700KF CPU. The modest voltage of 1.35 volts ensures that this RAM is energy-conscious and doesn't consume excessive power. The top-notch aluminum heatsinks offer superb thermal management and bestow the modules with a sleek and premium appearance while avoiding conflict with a CPU cooler. Furthermore, the Intel XMP 2.0 profile guarantees that the RAM is fine-tuned for Intel processors, delivering users a smooth and dependable experience.
The only downside to this RAM is that it has a lower clock speed than DDR5, which is intensional since it's meant for people who want the less expensive DDR4 RAM.
Read the full overview of the Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB DDR4-3600 CL18 RAM.
Learn More About the Intel Core i7-12700KF
- Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i7-12700KF CPU?
- Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for Intel's Core i7-12700KF
- Choosing the Best Power Supply for Intel's Core i7-12700KF
- Is the Core i7-12700KF CPU Good for Gaming?
- Choosing the Best RAM for Intel's Core i7-12700KF CPU
- Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core i7-12700KF
- How Many Cores Do Intel Core i7-12700KF CPUs Have?
- What Is the TDP of the Core i7-12700KF CPU?
You can find detailed 12700KF specifications on Intel's site.
Other Considerations When Building a PC
Want to brush up on other new technologies to consider when building a computer? Check out these articles:
- Cases:
- CPUs:
- The Best CPUs for Gaming
- Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 5.0?
- Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 4.0?
- LGA 1700 CPU List
- LGA 1200 CPU List
- Look up an Intel or AMD CPU on TechReviewer for related recommendations:
- The Best CPUs for Gaming
- CPU Coolers:
- Storage:
- Memory:
- PCI-Express:
- Motherboards:
- Graphics Cards:
- Power Supplies:
- Keyboards:
- Monitors: