AMD Ryzen 7 3700X vs Intel Core i7-12700K Comparison

The Intel Core i7-12700K and AMD Ryzen 7 3700X represent two very different points in desktop processor history, and the recorded benchmark data leaves no doubt about which one is faster. Across all 15 head-to-head tests in the database, the Intel part wins every single comparison, with margins ranging from a modest 15.2% to a dominant 125.7%. The Ryzen 7 3700X is a capable processor that still holds its own in the 84th percentile of all CPUs, but the Alder Lake design simply outclasses it in every measurable workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result appears in Passmark floating point math, where the Intel Core i7-12700K scores 88,035 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 39,005. That is a 125.7% advantage, meaning the Intel part delivers more than double the floating point throughput. The gap is nearly as large in Geekbench multi-core, where the Intel part records 15,790 versus 8,899, a 77.4% lead. Passmark integer math shows a 72.1% advantage, with scores of 114,264 and 66,399 respectively.

Multi-threaded rendering follows the same pattern. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 3,325 versus 2,092, a 58.9% lead. Passmark multithread records 34,404 against 22,458, a 53.2% advantage. Passmark physics shows 1,790 versus 1,181, a 51.6% lead. Even in single-threaded tests, the Intel part holds a clear edge: Cinebench R15 single-core scores 272 versus 204, a 33.3% lead, and Geekbench single-core shows 2,308 versus 1,593, a 44.9% advantage.

The smallest margin in the entire comparison is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the Intel part scores 114 against 99, a 15.2% lead. Other notable results include Passmark data compression at 446,595 versus 296,379, a 50.7% lead, and Passmark extended instructions at 28,885 versus 19,241, a 50.1% advantage. Passmark random string sorting shows 45,805 versus 32,131, a 42.6% lead, and Passmark data encryption records 23,408 versus 18,900, a 23.9% advantage. The single-thread Passmark results are consistent across both listings, with 4,013 versus 2,656, a 51.1% lead.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows no benchmark category where the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X comes out ahead. The Intel Core i7-12700K wins all 15 recorded head-to-head tests. That said, the magnitude of the Intel advantage varies by workload type, which reveals where each processor is relatively stronger.

The Intel part shows its largest advantages in floating point math, integer math, and multi-core rendering. These are workloads that benefit from the combination of more cores, higher boost clocks, and the newer architecture. The 125.7% lead in floating point math and the 72.1% lead in integer math indicate that compute-heavy tasks, such as scientific simulations or financial modeling, will see the biggest gains from the Intel part.

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, while losing every test, is closest in the prime number finding test, where the Intel lead is only 15.2%. This suggests that the Zen 2 architecture remains competitive in certain integer-heavy single-threaded operations, even if it falls short overall. The data encryption test also shows a relatively smaller gap at 23.9%, indicating that the AMD part handles encryption workloads better than its average performance would suggest.

For users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness, the Intel part still wins, but the margins are smaller in some tests. The Cinebench R15 single-core lead is 33.3%, while the Geekbench single-core lead is 44.9%. The Passmark single-thread lead is 51.1%. These are all substantial, but they are smaller than the multi-core gaps in some cases.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-12700K is the faster processor in every recorded test. With 15 wins out of 15 head-to-head comparisons, the Intel part is the clear choice for anyone seeking maximum performance. The Ryzen 7 3700X, while a solid processor, is outclassed by the newer Alder Lake design.

The Intel part's average benchmark score of 35,287 sits just above the Ryzen 7 3700X's 34,260, a difference of about 3%. Both processors rank at the 84th percentile of all CPUs in the database, which places them in the same overall performance tier. However, the head-to-head results show that the Intel part is consistently ahead across every workload.

The Intel Core i7-12700K is the pick for users who want the best performance in multi-threaded rendering, floating point math, integer math, and single-threaded responsiveness. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X could still be considered by users who are constrained by platform compatibility, as it uses the AM4 socket and supports DDR4 memory only. But from a pure performance standpoint, the data favors the Intel part without exception.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K wins all multi-core tests. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 3,325 versus 2,092, a 58.9% lead. Geekbench multi-core shows 15,790 versus 8,899, a 77.4% lead. Passmark multithread shows 34,404 versus 22,458, a 53.2% advantage.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K leads in every single-threaded test. Cinebench R15 single-core scores 272 versus 204, a 33.3% lead. Geekbench single-core shows 2,308 versus 1,593, a 44.9% lead. Passmark single-thread shows 4,013 versus 2,656, a 51.1% advantage.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in Passmark floating point math, where the Intel Core i7-12700K scores 88,035 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 39,005, a 125.7% advantage. The smallest gap is in Passmark find prime numbers, at 15.2%.

Q: Do both processors support overclocking?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-12700K and the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X have unlocked multipliers, as indicated by the multiplierUnlocked field being true for both.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K includes UHD Graphics 770, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X has no integrated graphics. This means the Intel part can output video without a discrete GPU, while the AMD part requires a separate graphics card.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X supports DDR4 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-12700K is built on Alder Lake architecture, specifically the Alder Lake-S codename, using a 10 nm process node from Intel. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X uses Zen 2 architecture with the Matisse codename, built on a 7 nm process node from TSMC. The Intel part has a die size of 215 mm², while the AMD part has a die size of 74 mm². The AMD part contains 3,800 million transistors, while the Intel part's transistor count is not recorded in the database.

The core configurations differ significantly. The Intel Core i7-12700K has 12 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part's base clock is 3.60 GHz, matching the AMD part's base clock of 3.60 GHz, but the Intel boost clock reaches 5.00 GHz versus 4.40 GHz for the AMD part.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with 25 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 32 MB of L3 cache. The AMD part has a larger L3 cache, but the Intel part has larger L1 and L2 caches per core.

The Intel part includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 770, while the AMD part has no integrated graphics. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD part supports DDR4 only. The AMD part has a higher PCIe lane count at 24 lanes versus 20 lanes for the Intel part, both using Gen 4. The AMD part has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel part's memory bandwidth is not recorded.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Intel Core i7-12700K has 12 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the AMD part boosts to 4.40 GHz. The Intel part has a TDP of 125 W, while the AMD part has a TDP of 65 W.

The process nodes differ: the Intel part uses 10 nm from Intel, while the AMD part uses 7 nm from TSMC. The Intel part has a die size of 215 mm², while the AMD part has a die size of 74 mm². The AMD part has 3,800 million transistors, while the Intel part's count is not recorded.

Cache sizes differ: the Intel part has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, while the AMD part has 64 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core. The L3 cache is 25 MB shared on the Intel part versus 32 MB on the AMD part.

Memory support differs: the Intel part supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD part supports DDR4 only. The AMD part has 24 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Intel part has 20. The Intel part includes UHD Graphics 770, while the AMD part has no integrated graphics. The Intel part uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the AMD part uses the AMD Socket AM4. The Intel part was released on 2021-11-03, while the AMD part was released on 2019-07-06. The launch MSRP for the Intel part is $409, and for the AMD part it is $329. The part numbers are SRL4N for the Intel and 100-000000071 for the AMD.