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

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 and Intel Core i7-12700K represent two very different design philosophies: a 28-watt mobile processor built on a 4 nm TSMC process versus a 125-watt desktop chip on Intel's 10 nm node. The benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy, with the Intel part winning 14 of 15 head-to-head comparisons, yet the AMD chip claims a single critical victory in Cinebench R23 single-core. The average benchmark scores are remarkably close—35719 for the AMD and 35287 for the Intel—placing both within 0.1% of each other in the aggregate, but that aggregate hides the lopsided nature of individual test results.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12700K dominates every multi-threaded and throughput-oriented workload in the dataset. Its largest margin comes in PassMark floating point math, where it scores 88035 against the AMD's 51639, a 41.3% advantage. The Intel chip also leads heavily in data compression (446595 vs 281834, a 36.9% gap) and data encryption (23408 vs 14462, a 38.2% gap). Cinebench R23 multicore tells the same story: the Intel scores 19784 versus the AMD's 14278.5, a 27.8% deficit for the Ryzen part. The Intel's 12 cores and 20 threads simply outmuscle the AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads in sustained parallel workloads.

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 wins exactly one head-to-head test: Cinebench R23 single-core. Here the AMD scores 1954 against the Intel's 1850.5, a 5.6% advantage. This is the only benchmark where the Zen 5 architecture's higher instructions-per-clock overcomes the Intel's higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus the AMD's 2.00 GHz. In PassMark single-thread, the Intel actually edges ahead at 4013 versus 3872, a 3.5% margin, but that test appears to weight differently than Cinebench R23. The AMD's 5.00 GHz boost clock matches the Intel's, but the Zen 5 core design delivers superior single-core efficiency in the Cinebench workload.

For integer math, the Intel leads 114264 to 84868, a 25.7% gap. Extended instructions favor Intel by 30.9% (28885 vs 19955). Physics simulation shows Intel ahead 1790 to 1318, a 26.4% margin. Random string sorting goes to Intel 45805 vs 31071, a 32.2% difference. Even prime number finding, often a test of core efficiency, favors Intel at 114 vs 81, a 28.9% lead. The only category where AMD narrows the gap below 10% is PassMark single-thread at 3.5%, but that still goes to Intel.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split: pick the Intel Core i7-12700K for any workload that scales across cores, threads, or sustained throughput. It wins 14 of 15 benchmarks, with margins ranging from 3.5% to 41.3%. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 19784 versus 14278.5 means the Intel is nearly 28% faster in rendering tasks. PassMark multithread shows a similar picture at 34404 versus 23994, a 30.3% gap. This processor is the choice for content creation, compilation, simulation, or any parallel compute where the 125-watt power budget is acceptable.

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 is the pick for single-core responsiveness in Cinebench R23 specifically, where its 5.6% lead indicates superior per-thread performance in that engine. Its 28-watt TDP and mobile socket (AMD Socket FP8) make it suitable for thin-and-light systems, though the benchmark data does not directly measure power efficiency. The AMD's 85th percentile versus the Intel's 84th percentile shows both sit in the top tier of all CPUs, but the Intel's average benchmark score of 35287 is only 0.1% lower than the AMD's 35719, meaning the aggregate hides the Intel's dominance in multi-core.

For desktop builders with access to a 125-watt power envelope and LGA 1700 motherboard, the Intel wins on raw performance across nearly every metric. For mobile users who need the best single-core Cinebench score and can accept lower multi-core throughput, the AMD offers a specific advantage. Neither chip is a general-purpose winner; the Intel is the performance king, the AMD is the single-core specialist with a mobile form factor.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin is PassMark floating point math, where the Intel's 88035 crushes the AMD's 51639. That 41.3% delta represents the widest gap in the entire dataset. Data encryption follows at 38.2% (23408 vs 14462), and data compression trails at 36.9% (446595 vs 281834). These three tests show the Intel's advantage in math-heavy and cryptographic workloads is substantial.

Cinebench R15 multicore shows a 29.7% Intel lead (3325 vs 2336.5), while Cinebench R23 multicore narrows slightly to 27.8% (19784 vs 14278.5). The single-core Cinebench results invert: R15 favors Intel by 9.2% (272 vs 247), but R23 favors AMD by 5.6% (1954 vs 1850.5). This inconsistency suggests the two tests weight different aspects of single-thread performance, with the AMD's Zen 5 architecture handling the R23 workload more efficiently.

PassMark integer math shows Intel ahead by 25.7% (114264 vs 84868), and extended instructions favor Intel by 30.9% (28885 vs 19955). Physics simulation gives Intel a 26.4% edge (1790 vs 1318). Random string sorting is 32.2% in Intel's favor (45805 vs 31071). Prime number finding shows Intel at 114 versus AMD's 81, a 28.9% gap. The smallest Intel win is PassMark single-thread at 3.5% (4013 vs 3872), demonstrating that the AMD is competitive in lightly-threaded tasks even when it loses.

The Intel also holds advantages in 3DMark tests not present in the AMD's benchmark list: 16-thread at 9276, max-threads at 9979, 8-thread at 7202, 4-thread at 4011, 2-thread at 2065, and single-thread at 1043. These scores further corroborate the Intel's multi-core strength, though the AMD has no comparable 3DMark data to compare directly.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 has an average benchmark score of 35719, while the Intel Core i7-12700K scores 35287. The AMD leads by 432 points, approximately 1.2%, despite losing 14 of 15 head-to-head tests.

Q: Does the AMD win any benchmark against the Intel?

A: Yes. The AMD wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 1954 versus the Intel's 1850.5, a 5.6% advantage. This is the only head-to-head test the AMD wins out of 15 total.

Q: How large is the Intel's largest winning margin?

A: The Intel's largest margin is in PassMark floating point math, where it scores 88035 against the AMD's 51639, a 41.3% difference. This is the most lopsided result in the dataset.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K has 12 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel has 4 more cores and 4 more threads.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-thread PassMark?

A: The Intel leads PassMark single-thread with 4013 versus the AMD's 3872, a 3.5% margin. This is the closest Intel win in the entire comparison.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 is in the 85th percentile, while the Intel Core i7-12700K is in the 84th percentile. The AMD ranks one percentile higher despite losing most benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 is built on Zen 5, codenamed Krackan Point, and belongs to the Ryzen AI PRO 300 generation. It uses a 4 nm TSMC process node with a die size of 195 mm². The Intel Core i7-12700K uses Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-S, on Intel's 10 nm process with a larger 215 mm² die. The AMD is manufactured by TSMC, while the Intel comes from Intel's own foundry.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of L3 total. The Intel also has 80 KB L1 per core but 1.25 MB L2 per core, and a much larger 25 MB shared L3 cache. This 17 MB difference in L3 likely contributes to the Intel's multi-threaded advantages in data-heavy workloads.

The AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not listed in the data. The AMD supports ECC memory; the Intel does not. PCIe support differs: the AMD has Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while the Intel has Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ: the AMD uses Radeon 860M, while the Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. The AMD's market segment is mobile with an AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700. The Intel has an unlocked multiplier; the AMD does not. The AMD was released on 2025-01-05, while the Intel came out on 2021-11-03.

Specification Differences

The core counts differ: the AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel has 12 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are significantly different, with the AMD at 2.00 GHz and the Intel at 3.60 GHz, but both boost to 5.00 GHz. The thermal design power is a major distinction: the AMD is rated at 28 watts, while the Intel draws 125 watts. This 97-watt gap explains the Intel's higher sustained performance in multi-threaded tests.

The process nodes differ: the AMD uses 4 nm TSMC, the Intel uses 10 nm Intel. Die sizes are 195 mm² for the AMD and 215 mm² for the Intel. L2 cache per core is 1 MB on the AMD versus 1.25 MB on the Intel. L3 cache is 8 MB on the AMD versus 25 MB shared on the Intel. The AMD supports ECC memory; the Intel does not. PCIe lanes differ: 16 on the AMD versus 20 on the Intel.

Memory support overlaps on DDR5 but diverges otherwise: the AMD adds LPDDR5X, the Intel adds DDR4. Memory bandwidth is listed only for the AMD at 89.6 GB/s. The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket FP8 versus Intel Socket 1700. The Intel has an unlocked multiplier, the AMD is locked. Market segments are mobile versus desktop. Release dates are 2025-01-05 for the AMD and 2021-11-03 for the Intel. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $409; the AMD has no listed MSRP.