AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 vs Intel Core i7-12700K Comparison

The Intel Core i7-12700K and AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 occupy different corners of the processor market: one is a desktop part from late 2021, the other a mobile chip from early 2025. Yet both sit at the 84th percentile in the database's overall CPU ranking. Intel's average benchmark score is 35287, while AMD's is 34222. In head-to-head testing, Intel wins 15 of 17 tests, AMD wins 2. The data reveals a clear performance hierarchy, but the two wins for AMD are worth examining closely.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12700K dominates nearly every workload category in the head-to-head comparison. Its largest margins come in floating point math, where it scores 88035 against AMD's 53230, a 65.4% advantage. Data encryption shows a 53.6% lead (23408 vs 15244), and data compression is 46.9% ahead (446595 vs 304089). Multi-threaded tests follow the same pattern: Cinebench R23 multicore gives Intel 19784 versus 16014.5, a 23.5% lead; Geekbench multicore shows 15790 vs 11676, a 35.2% gap; and Passmark multithread records 34404 vs 24935, a 38% difference. Even in integer math, Intel leads by 33.4% (114264 vs 85651), and in extended instructions by 33.2% (28885 vs 21678). The only tests where AMD comes out ahead are the two Cinebench single-core runs: R15 singlecore (294 vs 272, a 7.5% lead) and R23 singlecore (1958 vs 1850.5, a 5.5% lead). Notably, Intel wins the other single-core tests: Geekbench singlecore (2308 vs 2164, 6.7% ahead) and Passmark single-thread (4013 vs 3834, 4.7% ahead). So AMD's single-core advantage is specific to Cinebench, not a general property.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear overall winner for raw performance: the Intel Core i7-12700K. It wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, and its victories are often by large margins, especially in math, encryption, and multi-threaded workloads. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 only wins in Cinebench single-core, and even there the margins are modest. For users who prioritize multi-threaded rendering, data compression, or floating point calculations, Intel is the obvious choice. For those who rely heavily on Cinebench single-core scores, AMD has a slight edge, but Intel counters with wins in other single-core benchmarks. The AMD chip is a mobile part with a 28 W TDP, while Intel is a desktop part with a 125 W TDP, and the database shows both at the same 84th percentile, but Intel's average score is higher. The verdict from the recorded data: Intel for performance, AMD for a specific Cinebench single-core niche, though the latter is not enough to overturn Intel's overall lead.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for Intel is in floating point math, where it scores 88035 against AMD's 53230, a 65.4% delta. This is a massive gap, suggesting Intel's execution units handle floating point operations far more efficiently in this test. Data encryption follows with a 53.6% lead (23408 vs 15244), and data compression is 46.9% ahead (446595 vs 304089). These are workloads that benefit from high core counts and strong memory bandwidth, and Intel's 12 cores and 20 threads clearly outmuscle AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads. In multi-threaded tests, Intel's lead is consistent: Cinebench R23 multicore shows 19784 vs 16014.5 (23.5%), Geekbench multicore 15790 vs 11676 (35.2%), and Passmark multithread 34404 vs 24935 (38%). Even in physics simulation, Intel leads by 32.7% (1790 vs 1349). The only two tests where AMD wins are Cinebench R15 singlecore (294 vs 272, 7.5% ahead) and R23 singlecore (1958 vs 1850.5, 5.5% ahead). These are small margins compared to Intel's double-digit leads. Intel also wins single-core in Geekbench (2308 vs 2164, 6.7%) and Passmark (4013 vs 3834, 4.7%), so AMD's single-core advantage is not universal. The data shows that Intel's wins are not just frequent but also substantial, while AMD's wins are narrow and confined to one benchmark family.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has higher multi-core performance?

A: Intel wins every multi-core test in the head-to-head set. For example, Cinebench R23 multicore scores 19784 for Intel versus 16014.5 for AMD, and Geekbench multicore shows 15790 vs 11676. Passmark multithread also favors Intel, 34404 vs 24935.

Q: Which CPU wins single-core tests?

A: It depends on the benchmark. AMD wins Cinebench R15 singlecore (294 vs 272) and R23 singlecore (1958 vs 1850.5). Intel wins Geekbench singlecore (2308 vs 2164) and Passmark single-thread (4013 vs 3834). So AMD's single-core lead is specific to Cinebench.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: Intel has 12 cores and 20 threads, while AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads. This core count difference likely explains Intel's dominance in multi-threaded workloads.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: Intel has a TDP of 125 W, while AMD has a TDP of 28 W. This reflects their different market segments: desktop versus mobile.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: Intel has 25 MB of shared L3 cache, while AMD has 8 MB. The larger cache may contribute to Intel's performance in data compression and encryption tests.

Q: What process nodes are used?

A: Intel uses a 10 nm process, while AMD uses a 4 nm process. The smaller node for AMD suggests a more modern manufacturing process, but the benchmark data does not show a performance advantage from it.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. Intel uses Alder Lake, a hybrid design with 12 cores and 20 threads, manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The die size is 215 mm². AMD uses Zen 5, specifically the Krackan Point codename, with 8 cores and 16 threads, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC, with a die size of 195 mm². Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but Intel's L2 is 1.25 MB per core versus AMD's 1 MB per core. L3 cache differs significantly: Intel has 25 MB shared, AMD has 8 MB. Memory support also diverges: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while Intel does not have a recorded figure. PCIe lanes differ: Intel provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are different: Intel has UHD Graphics 770, AMD has Radeon 860M. The base clocks are 3.60 GHz for Intel and 2.00 GHz for AMD, though both boost to 5.00 GHz. Intel's multiplier is unlocked, AMD's is not. Intel's socket is Intel Socket 1700, AMD's is AMD Socket FP8. Intel is a desktop part, AMD is mobile. Intel was released on 2021-11-03, AMD on 2025-01-05. Both are active in production. Intel's part number is SRL4N, AMD's is 100-000001601.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: Intel 12, AMD 8
• Threads: Intel 20, AMD 16
• Base clock: Intel 3.60 GHz, AMD 2.00 GHz
• TDP: Intel 125 W, AMD 28 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700, AMD Socket FP8
• Architecture: Intel Alder Lake, AMD Zen 5
• Codename: Intel Alder Lake-S, AMD Krackan Point
• Generation: Intel Core i7 (Alder Lake-S), AMD Ryzen AI 300 (Zen 5 / Zen 5c)
• Process node: Intel 10 nm, AMD 4 nm
• Foundry: Intel, TSMC
• Die size: Intel 215 mm², AMD 195 mm²
• L2 cache: Intel 1.25 MB per core, AMD 1 MB per core
• L3 cache: Intel 25 MB shared, AMD 8 MB
• Memory support: Intel DDR4, DDR5; AMD DDR5, LPDDR5X
• Memory bandwidth: AMD 89.6 GB/s, Intel not recorded
• PCIe lanes: Intel Gen 4, 20 lanes; AMD Gen 4, 16 lanes
• Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 770, AMD Radeon 860M
• Market segment: Intel Desktop, AMD Mobile
• Release date: Intel 2021-11-03, AMD 2025-01-05
• Launch MSRP: Intel $409 (stated once), AMD not recorded
• Multiplier unlocked: Intel true, AMD false
• Part number: Intel SRL4N, AMD 100-000001601

These differences explain the performance gap. Intel's higher core count, larger caches, and higher base clock contribute to its dominance in multi-threaded and math-heavy tests. AMD's smaller process node and lower TDP make it a more power-efficient mobile option, but the benchmark data does not show a performance advantage outside of two Cinebench single-core tests.