PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-12700K

2021

Why buy it

✅+6.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Ryzen AI Max 385 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen AI Max 385.

Ryzen AI Max 385

2025

Why buy it

✅+28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i7-12700K.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (32,274 vs 34,347).

Core i7-12700K

2021

Ryzen AI Max 385

2025

Why buy it

✅+6.4% higher PassMark.

Why buy it

✅+28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i7-12700K.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Ryzen AI Max 385 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen AI Max 385.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (32,274 vs 34,347).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700K better than Ryzen AI Max 385?

Yes. Core i7-12700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 2.2% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data and 6.4% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, the two CPUs are effectively a wash in the available data.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700K is the better fit. You are getting 6.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-12700K is the smarter buy today. Core i7-12700K is at an unclear MSRP at $409 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen AI Max 385 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2021) and 28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB). That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-12700K Benchmark Check

Ryzen AI Max 385 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max 385
1080p
low	314 FPS	257 FPS
medium	295 FPS	234 FPS
high	246 FPS	203 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	174 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	222 FPS
medium	225 FPS	183 FPS
high	182 FPS	153 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	134 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	154 FPS
medium	142 FPS	127 FPS
high	109 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	86 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Ryzen AI Max 385

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max 385
1080p
low	630 FPS	592 FPS
medium	533 FPS	500 FPS
high	450 FPS	391 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	346 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	508 FPS
medium	475 FPS	452 FPS
high	403 FPS	359 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	299 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	303 FPS
medium	280 FPS	273 FPS
high	266 FPS	243 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	209 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Ryzen AI Max 385

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max 385
1080p
low	797 FPS	780 FPS
medium	633 FPS	611 FPS
high	556 FPS	534 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	447 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	676 FPS
medium	565 FPS	534 FPS
high	490 FPS	463 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	389 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	476 FPS
medium	425 FPS	394 FPS
high	381 FPS	350 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	288 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Ryzen AI Max 385

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max 385
1080p
low	859 FPS	807 FPS
medium	802 FPS	807 FPS
high	699 FPS	779 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	700 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	796 FPS
medium	678 FPS	706 FPS
high	590 FPS	619 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	536 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	554 FPS
medium	488 FPS	499 FPS
high	437 FPS	448 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	389 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Ryzen AI Max 385

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and Ryzen AI Max 385

Core i7-12700K

The Core i7-12700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 34,347 points. Launch price was $409.

Ryzen AI Max 385

The Ryzen AI Max 385 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Strix Halo (2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP11. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 32,274 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max 385 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-12700K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max 385 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-12700K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen AI Max 385 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Ryzen AI Max 385's 32,274 — a 6.2% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max 385.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max 385
Cores / Threads	12 / 20+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+28%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	4 nm-60%
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Strix Halo (2025)
PassMark	34,347+6%	32,274
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	16,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,800
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	14,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen AI Max 385 uses FP11 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus LPDDR5x-8000 on the Ryzen AI Max 385 — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-12700K) vs 4 (Ryzen AI Max 385). Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and Strix Halo platform (Ryzen AI Max 385).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max 385
Socket	LGA1700	FP11
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+95900%	LPDDR5x-8000
Max RAM Capacity	128	128 GB+104857500%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen AI Max 385 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max 385). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) and Radeon 8050S (Ryzen AI Max 385) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen AI Max 385 targets High-performance AI / Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; Ryzen AI Max 385 rivals Core Ultra 9 285H.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max 385
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Radeon 8050S
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	High-performance AI / Gaming Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Ryzen AI Max 385 debuted at $0. On MSRP ($409 vs $0), the Ryzen AI Max 385 is $409 cheaper.