Is i7-12700K enough?
Best answer: Yes, absolutely. The affordable i7-12700K ranks high in CPU performance tests, placing just below the more expensive Intel Core i9-12900K and AMD Ryzen 9 5900X.
Nope. Nothing is "future" proof on PC.
It depends on the level of graphics card you are buying. If you are buying a 3050/6600XT level of graphics card then a 12700K is overkill. If you are getting a 6700XT/3070 ti or better then it isn't overkill.
The Intel Core i7-12700K is a good choice for those looking for a mid-to-high tier CPU with a performance boost over the Core i5-12600K. The Core i7-12700K features the ability to overclock and with the new architectural design from the Alder Lake series, users can expect maximum performance.
Those results suggest that on a single-threaded front, the 7700X is roughly equivalent to the 12700K, but that when it comes to multi-threaded performance, it's notably quicker, offering the kind of performance only previously seen with the Core i9-12900K.
Considering the 12700K and 12900K run quite hot, those temperatures seem totally normal. However, you already have the best of the best for air cooling but it's only specced to dissipate up to ~220W maximum (in ideal conditions).
It's simply impossible to predict what the new standards will be in a few years. Long story short, future-proofing is unnecessary if: You're fine with playing newer games at sub-optimal settings. You mostly use your PC for web browsing, email, office work, and movies.
An i7 processor is more future proof than an i5 processor because it has a higher clock speed and more cores. This means that it can handle more tasks at once and can handle them faster. It also has hyper-threading, which means that each core can handle two threads at once.
8GB RAM is enough for basic use, but 16GB is far more future-proof. And whether you use a PC or Apple laptop, if you're going to edit photos and videos, you'll want at least 16GB of RAM.
With the Radeon RX 6800 XT, the Ryzen 7 7700X and the Core i7-12700K offer roughly the same performance. However, when paired with the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, the Ryzen 7 7700X is over 30% faster than the 12700K despite both exhibiting lower performance overall.
Is Intel i7-12700K good for streaming?
Despite the fact that Raptor Lake is right around the corner, we're confident recommending the Intel Core i7-12700K as the best Intel CPU for streaming. This is in large part due to the Hybrid Architecture, a mixture of P-cores and E-cores which makeup this chipset thanks to the Intel 7 10nm process.
Intel Core i7-12700K Processor
The i7-12700k Processor uses a new performance hybrid architecture designed to elevate gaming, productivity, and creation. This CPU has been designed to get the most out of Windows 11, bringing an exceptional level of integration.

Intel Core i712700K Processor 25M Cache up to 5.00 GHz Product Specifications.
References
- https://www.tomshardware.com/features/nvidia-geforce-rtx-3080-ampere-cpu-scaling-benchmarks
- https://www.quora.com/Is-the-Intel-Core-i7-12700K-good-for-gaming
- https://www.xda-developers.com/intel-13th-gen-raptor-lake/
- https://www.overclock.net/threads/12700k-temp-question.1796446/
- https://www.windowscentral.com/best-cpu-coolers-intel-core-i7-12700k
- https://www.hardware-corner.net/guides/dangerous-cpu-temp/
- https://www.chillblast.com/learn/a-buyers-guide-to-intels-12th-gen-cpus/amp/
- https://www.cashify.in/amd-ryzen-7-vs-intel-core-i7-differences-pros-and-cons
- https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/does-ram-speed-matter/
- https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/ryzen-7-7700x-vs-intel-core-i7-12700k/
- https://finddiffer.com/is-it-worth-upgrading-from-i5-to-i7/
- https://www.pcguide.com/cpu/intel-12th-gen-core-i9-good-2022/
- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/resources/gaming-cpu.html
- https://www.cybrary.it/blog/0p3n/what-letters-at-end-of-intel-cpu-model-numbers-stand-for/
- https://www.coolblue.be/en/advice/choose-intel-core-i7-or-amd-ryzen-7.html
- https://www.hardwaretimes.com/intels-11th-gen-cpus-had-the-highest-failure-rates-of-all-cpus-b-w-2019-21/
- https://www.pcmag.com/news/intel-core-i7-vs-core-i9-whats-the-difference
- https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/amd-ryzen-7-5800x3d-vs-intel-core-i9-12900k/
- https://en.wikichip.org/wiki/intel/core_i7/i7-12700k
- https://www.avast.com/c-how-to-check-cpu-temperature
- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/docs/processors/core/12th-gen-core-mobile-processors-brief.html
- https://www.tomshardware.com/features/amd-vs-intel-cpus
- https://www.quora.com/Is-there-a-bottleneck-between-these-two-Core-i7-12700-and-RTX-3080Ti
- https://www.pcguide.com/motherboard/guide/best-motherboards-core-i7-12700k/
- https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i7-12700-Dodeca-core-Processor/dp/B09NPHHSZ1
- https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/intel-core-i7-12700k
- https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Processor-E5-2690V4-2-6GHZ-Smart/dp/B01DTYPFQC
- https://royalexaminer.com/selecting-the-right-configuration-to-future-proof-your-laptop/
- https://www.pcmag.com/news/which-cpu-should-you-buy-intel-core-i5-vs-i7
- https://www.gadgetsalvation.com/blog/2021/11/03/amd-ryzen-7-vs-intel-core-i7-which-is-faster/
- https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-ram,4057.html
- https://www.techreviewer.com/best-tech/intel-12700k-ram/
- https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/series/217837/12th-generation-intel-core-i7-processors.html
- https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/134594/intel-core-i712700k-processor-25m-cache-up-to-5-00-ghz.html
- https://www.pcguide.com/cpu/guide/best-for-gaming/
- https://www.xda-developers.com/intel-gaming-streaming-pc-guide/
- https://www.ginger6.com/should-i-buy-i5-or-i7-for-gaming-in-2022
- https://hypebeast.com/2023/1/intel-core-i9-13980hx-13th-gen-intel-core-worlds-fastest-mobile-processor-news
- https://www.storagereview.com/review/intel-core-i7-12700k-xpg-build-review
- https://www.extremetech.com/computing/274650-the-worst-cpus-ever-made
- https://www.pcguide.com/cpu/12th-gen-intel-good-gaming/
- https://www.tomshardware.com/news/tachyum-128-core-all-purpose-cpu
- https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-cpus,3986.html
- https://www.pccasegear.com/products/55933/intel-core-i7-12700kf-processor
- https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/computers-desktops/cpu-gpu-components/is-the-intel-core-i7-12700k-good-for-gaming
- https://tech4gamers.com/i9-12900k-vs-i7-12700k/
- https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-gaming-cpu/
- https://biztechmagazine.com/article/2021/08/difference-between-intel-core-i7-vs-core-i9-whats-right-you-perfcon
- https://computertechnicians.com.au/amd-ryzen-7-vs-intel-core-i7-which-is-faster/
- https://www.hardwaretimes.com/amd-ryzen-7-7700x-vs-intel-core-i7-12700k-which-is-the-better-cpu/
- https://www.anandtech.com/show/17267/the-intel-core-i7-12700k-and-core-i5-12600k-review-high-performance-for-the-mid-range/8
- https://computertechnicians.com.au/core-i7-vs-core-i9-whats-the-difference/
- https://www.lenovo.com/ae/en/faqs/pc-life-faqs/intel-i5-vs-i7/
- https://www.wootware.co.za/intel-bx8071512700k-core-i7-12700k-12-core-3-6ghz-10nm-alder-lake-socket-lga1700-desktop-cpu-cooler-not-included.html
- https://www.avast.com/c-amd-vs-intel-cpu
- https://thepcenthusiast.com/intel-11th-gen-vs-10th-gen-cpu/
- https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/marketing-briefs/gaming-performance-unlocked.pdf
- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/news/12th-gen-intel-core-i9-12900ks-worlds-fastest-desktop-processor.html
- https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i7-11700k-cpu-review/4
- https://seekingalpha.com/article/4542183-nvidia-vs-intel-where-buy-dip
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_transition_to_Intel_processors
- https://www.theverge.com/23410428/intel-core-i9-13900k-review
- https://www.macrumors.com/2022/02/24/leaked-intel-roadmap-m1-pro-m1-max-chips/
- https://www.chillblast.com/learn/intel-12th-gen-alder-lake-entry-level-cpus-are-the-most-exciting/
- https://www.msi.com/blog/cooler-recommendation-for-intel-core-i5-12600-and-core-i7-12700
- https://www.quora.com/Is-a-core-i7-12700K-3-6-GHz-12-Core-Processor-overkill-for-only-gaming-If-so-what-CPU-would-be-good-for-gaming-and-watching-videos
- https://www.xda-developers.com/m1-max-vs-intel-12th-gen/
- https://www.sportskeeda.com/gaming-tech/is-12900k-worth-buying-gaming-2022
- https://www.pcworld.com/article/836251/intel-11th-gen-vs-12th-gen-cpu-framework-laptop.html
- https://www.techreviewer.com/tech-specs/intel-12700k-for-gaming/
- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1663646-REG/intel_bx8071512700k_core_i7_12700k_8_core_lga.html
- https://www.howtogeek.com/830844/how-many-cpu-cores-do-you-really-need-for-gaming/
- https://www.anandtech.com/show/17337/the-amd-ryzen-7-5800x3d-review-96-mb-of-l3-3d-v-cache-designed-for-gamers/9
- https://frame.work/blog/how-fast-is-12th-gen-intel-core
- https://www.techpowerup.com/cpu-specs/core-i7-12700k.c2507
- https://www.pcgamer.com/intels-upcoming-alder-lake-stock-cooler-gets-tested/
- https://www.windowscentral.com/best-cpu-rtx-3080
- https://www.cpguard.com/intel-6g-i7-processor.asp
- https://www.bestbuy.com/site/shop/best-i7-processor
- https://www.tomshardware.com/news/intel-core-i7-12700k-vs-amd-ryzen-9-5900x-and-5800x-face-off-intel-rising
- https://tech4gamers.com/core-i7-12700k-vs-core-i5-12600k/
- https://www.overclockers.co.uk/blog/windows-11-vs-windows-10-ten-big-differences-you-need-to-know-before-upgrading/
- https://thewiredshopper.com/intel-10th-generation-vs-11th-generation/
- https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-reasons-shouldnt-future-proof-pc/
- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000007393/processors.html
- https://www.pcguide.com/cpu/guide/best-streaming/
- https://www.tomshardware.com/news/ryzen-7-5800x3d-vs-core-i7-12700k-and-core-i9-12900k-face-off-the-rise-of-3d-v-cache
- https://www.macrumors.com/2023/01/03/ces-2023-intel-new-chips/
- https://www.tomshardware.com/news/amd-ryzen-7-5800x-vs-intel-core-i7-11700k
- https://www.bestbuy.com/site/questions/intel-core-i7-11700-11th-generation-8-core-16-thread-2-5-to-4-9-ghz-lga1200-locked-desktop-processor/6452219/question/ba83c86d-3557-3bad-aab9-f23b4804246a
- https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-core-i5-vs-i7/
- https://www.intelice.com/fastest-cpu/
- https://www.pcworld.com/article/782139/apple-m2-chip-wont-beat-intels-finest.html
- https://linuxhint.com/intel-processors-liquid-cooling-system/
- https://www.quora.com/Is-an-i9-or-i7-CPU-better-for-gaming
- https://www.quora.com/Do-Intel-CPUs-come-with-coolers
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/rwqd2m/would_an_rx_6900_xt_and_an_i712700k_be_futureproof/
- https://tech4gamers.com/best-ram-for-i7-12700k/
- https://www.avg.com/en/signal/intel-i5-vs-i7
- https://www.flipkart.com/msi-gp-core-i7-7th-gen-16-gb-1-tb-hdd-128-gb-ssd-windows-10-home-4-graphics-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1050-gp62-7rd-gaming-laptop/p/itmf3s32mpfkzjze
- https://apexgamingpcs.com/blogs/apex-support/how-much-ram-do-i-need-to-stream
- https://computertechnicians.com.au/intel-11th-gen-vs-12th-gen-what-are-the-differences/
- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/details/processors/core/i7.html
- https://www.velocitymicro.com/blog/i7-vs-i9/
- https://benchmarks.ul.com/compare/best-cpus
- https://www.pcworld.com/article/394051/intel-benchmarks-say-apples-m1-isnt-faster.html
- https://www.kingston.com/en/blog/gaming/how-much-memory-for-gaming
- https://smallbusiness.chron.com/average-temperature-intel-i7-processor-81659.html
- https://www.chillblast.com/learn/amd-ryzen-7000-cpus-explained/
- https://www.pcguide.com/cpu/is-intel-13th-gen-worth-it/
- https://www.xda-developers.com/intel-core-i7-12700k-vs-amd-ryzen-7-5800x3d/
- https://www.xda-developers.com/amd-ryzen-7-5800x-vs-intel-core-i7-12700k/
- https://www.anandtech.com/show/17337/the-amd-ryzen-7-5800x3d-review-96-mb-of-l3-3d-v-cache-designed-for-gamers
- https://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i7-12700K-Processor-Benchmarks-and-Specs.589006.0.html
- https://www.digitalcitizen.life/intel-core-i9-12900k-review/
- https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/best-processors-any-budget/
- https://www.quora.com/Is-the-Intel-i9-12900K-overkill-for-gaming
- https://www.anigma.com/blogs/education/reasons-why-you-should-upgrade-to-intel-s-12th-gen-cpus
- https://www.chillblast.com/learn/the-best-cpu-for-streaming-and-gaming-2022/
- https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/intel-core-i9-vs-i7-vs-i5-cpu/
- https://www.quora.com/Does-the-Core-i7-12700K-CPU-support-both-DDR4-and-DDR5