AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 vs Intel Core i7-12700 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a lopsided contest. The Intel Core i7-12700 wins 14 of the 15 shared benchmark comparisons, with the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 securing a single victory. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

The most decisive Intel advantage appears in floating-point math, where it scores 81,191 against AMD's 46,996, a 72.8% lead. This is the largest delta in the entire head-to-head set, suggesting a substantial performance gap in workloads that rely heavily on floating-point throughput. Multi-core rendering follows a similar pattern: in Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel posts 21,751 versus 13,794, a 57.7% advantage. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a 55.8% gap (3,151 vs. 2,023). These results point to a clear Intel dominance in heavily threaded compute tasks.

Data encryption also favors Intel heavily, with a 51.9% delta (20,143 vs. 13,264). Data compression shows a 46.5% lead (375,950 vs. 256,603). Integer math, extended instructions, and random string sorting all fall in a similar range: 37.6%, 34.1%, and 37.3% respectively. The Intel part leads by roughly a third to a half across these mixed workload benchmarks.

Intel's advantage narrows considerably in the PassMark multi-thread test, where it leads by 36.8% (30,273 vs. 22,125), and in the physics test, where the delta is 23.9% (1,558 vs. 1,257). Prime number finding shows a 32.9% gap (101 vs. 76), a smaller absolute difference but still a clear Intel win.

The single-thread results are nearly identical. In Cinebench R15 single-core, Intel edges out AMD by a mere 0.4% (272 vs. 271). PassMark single-thread shows a 0.1% difference (3,864 vs. 3,862). These are effectively statistical ties. Intel's only loss comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where AMD's 1,958 beats Intel's 1,894 by 3.3%. This suggests that for lightly threaded applications, the two processors are functionally equivalent, with a slight edge to AMD in the most recent Cinebench revision.

The average benchmark scores contextualize this matchup: Intel's average is 32,942, while AMD's is 32,662. That is only a 0.9% difference in overall average, despite the lopsided head-to-head wins. The reason is that Intel's huge wins in some tests are balanced by AMD's close showing in single-thread tests, and the average score calculation includes a broader benchmark suite than the head-to-head comparison. Intel's percentile rank is 83, and AMD's is also 83, placing both in the same tier of all CPUs in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700 wins 14 of the 15 shared tests, with the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 winning only Cinebench R23 single-core.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap between the two?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 21,751 versus AMD's 13,794, a 57.7% lead. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a 55.8% gap in Intel's favor.

Q: Are the single-thread scores similar?

A: Yes, for most tests. PassMark single-thread scores are 3,864 for Intel and 3,862 for AMD, a 0.1% difference. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 0.4% delta. The only notable single-thread divergence is Cinebench R23, where AMD leads by 3.3%.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin in the comparison?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark floating-point math, where Intel leads by 72.8% (81,191 vs. 46,996).

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: Intel's average benchmark score is 32,942, while AMD's is 32,662, a difference of roughly 0.9%. Both sit at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Does the head-to-head win count match the average score ranking?

A: Not entirely. Despite Intel winning 14 of 15 head-to-head tests, the average scores are very close, because AMD's single-thread performance is nearly identical to Intel's and the average includes a wider set of benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and market segments. Intel's Core i7-12700 is a desktop part built on the Alder Lake architecture, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². It uses a hybrid design with 12 cores and 20 threads, combining performance and efficiency cores. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 25 MB of shared L3 cache.

AMD's Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 is a mobile processor based on the Zen 5 architecture, with the Strix Point codename. It uses TSMC's 4 nm process and has a die size of 233 mm². The core configuration is 8 cores and 16 threads, using a mix of Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. Cache sizes differ: L1 is the same 80 KB per core, but L2 drops to 1 MB per core, and L3 is significantly smaller at 8 MB shared. The AMD part also lists a memory bandwidth figure of 89.6 GB/s, a number not provided for Intel.

Memory support diverges. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Both use dual-channel memory buses. AMD supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. PCIe capabilities differ as well: Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics also differ. Intel includes UHD Graphics 770, while AMD ships with Radeon 880M. The production status for both is listed as active, and both have locked multipliers, meaning they are not unlocked for overclocking.

The socket and platform are entirely incompatible. Intel uses Socket 1700, while AMD uses Socket FP8. Intel's market segment is desktop, while AMD's is mobile, which explains the power envelope difference: Intel has a 65 W TDP, while AMD operates at 28 W. The process node and foundry also differ substantially: Intel uses its own 10 nm process, while AMD outsources to TSMC at 4 nm. The boost clocks are close, with Intel reaching 4.90 GHz and AMD 5.00 GHz, but base clocks differ slightly (2.10 GHz vs. 2.00 GHz).

The release dates are not uniform in the database: AMD's release is recorded as 2025-01-05, while Intel's release date is not listed. Intel's launch MSRP is $349, while AMD's is not provided.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload and usage environment. For heavily threaded, compute-intensive tasks, the Intel Core i7-12700 is the stronger choice. Its multi-core scores in Cinebench R23 (21,751 vs. 13,794) and floating-point math (81,191 vs. 46,996) demonstrate a decisive advantage that would matter for rendering, scientific computing, and data processing workloads. The 14-to-1 win count in head-to-head tests reinforces this conclusion.

For single-threaded workloads, the choice is essentially a wash. The PassMark single-thread scores differ by only 0.1%, and Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 0.4% gap. AMD's 3.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is the only meaningful single-thread separation, but it is small. Users who prioritize lightly threaded applications would see no practical difference.

The AMD processor's case rests on its mobile positioning and power efficiency. With a 28 W TDP versus Intel's 65 W, the Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 is designed for laptops and compact systems where thermal and power constraints are paramount. The database shows it is competitive in single-thread performance and has a slightly higher boost clock (5.00 GHz vs. 4.90 GHz). Its ECC memory support and higher memory bandwidth figure (89.6 GB/s) could be relevant for specific workstation or reliability-focused mobile use cases.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (32,942 vs. 32,662), and both sit at the 83rd percentile, meaning that in aggregate performance, they are peers. The question is whether the workload favors Intel's massive multi-threaded lead or fits within AMD's power and mobility envelope. The verdict is straightforward: choose Intel for raw multi-core throughput from a desktop platform, choose AMD for a power-efficient mobile platform with comparable single-thread performance.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the recorded data.

| Field | Intel Core i7-12700 | AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 12 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket FP8 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 5 |

| Codename | Alder Lake-S | Strix Point |

| Generation | Core i7 (Alder Lake-S) | Ryzen AI PRO 300 (Zen 5 / Zen 5c) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 233 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 25 MB (shared) | 8 MB |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Radeon 880M |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | Not listed | 2025-01-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $349 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SRL4Q | 100-000001571 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12700 wins in every multi-threaded benchmark category recorded in the head-to-head comparison. This includes Cinebench R15 and R23 multi-core tests, PassMark multithread, physics, integer math, floating-point math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, and random string sorting. The margins range from 23.9% (physics) to 72.8% (floating-point math). Any workload that scales across cores will see a substantial advantage on the Intel platform.

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 wins only in Cinebench R23 single-core, by 3.3%. This is a narrow margin, but it indicates that AMD's newest Zen 5 cores can outperform Intel's Alder Lake cores in at least one recent single-thread benchmark. The AMD part also offers a higher boost clock (5.00 GHz vs. 4.90 GHz), ECC memory support, a smaller process node (4 nm vs. 10 nm), and a significantly lower TDP (28 W vs. 65 W). These are not benchmark wins, but they are specification advantages that matter for mobile deployments and power-sensitive designs.

The PassMark single-thread and single-threaded tests are effectively ties, with Intel leading by 0.1% in both. The Cinebench R15 single-core test is also nearly tied, with Intel ahead by 0.4%. In these tests, neither processor can claim a meaningful edge.

For use-case planning, the split is clear: multi-core rendering, math-heavy simulation, and data processing favor Intel strongly. Single-threaded productivity tasks show no practical difference. Mobile or low-power environments favor AMD due to its 28 W TDP and comparable single-thread performance. The database does not record any benchmark where AMD wins on multi-thread performance, so for desktop users with unrestricted power budgets, Intel is the data-backed choice.