The Intel Core i7-12700K is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in eight of the fourteen evaluated specifications. Its most significant technical advantage is its L2 cache, which is 500% larger than that of the Intel Core i7-10700K. This substantial increase in cache capacity provides the newer processor with a clear architectural lead across the majority of the measured categories, establishing it as the superior component in this head-to-head evaluation.

Users prioritizing maximum technical capability and the benefits of a significantly larger L2 cache should choose the Intel Core i7-12700K. Conversely, the Intel Core i7-10700K remains a viable option for those focused strictly on the MSRP, where it maintains a 9% advantage over its successor. Selecting between these two processors depends on whether your priority is the superior cache performance of the newer model or the lower MSRP offered by the older unit.