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

✅Costs $191 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
✅Delivers 16.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 72.0 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (34,347 vs 43,174).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

2025

Why buy it

✅+25.7% higher PassMark.
✅+156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 72.0 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($600 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Core i7-12700K

2021

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $191 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
✅Delivers 16.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 72.0 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅+25.7% higher PassMark.
✅+156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (34,347 vs 43,174).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 72.0 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($600 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 better than Core i7-12700K?

Yes. Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 25.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, 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, Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is the better fit. You are getting 25.7% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).

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

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-12700K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is 46.7% more expensive on MSRP at $600 MSRP versus $409 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-12700K is also 16.7% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 72.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2021), 156% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 12/20. 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 PRO 390 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
1080p
low	314 FPS	286 FPS
medium	295 FPS	253 FPS
high	246 FPS	213 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	185 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	266 FPS
medium	225 FPS	211 FPS
high	182 FPS	165 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	147 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	184 FPS
medium	142 FPS	147 FPS
high	109 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	97 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
1080p
low	630 FPS	778 FPS
medium	533 FPS	656 FPS
high	450 FPS	517 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	459 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	654 FPS
medium	475 FPS	572 FPS
high	403 FPS	463 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	378 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	368 FPS
medium	280 FPS	326 FPS
high	266 FPS	300 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	264 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
1080p
low	797 FPS	1021 FPS
medium	633 FPS	783 FPS
high	556 FPS	685 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	580 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	818 FPS
medium	565 FPS	635 FPS
high	490 FPS	551 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	469 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	565 FPS
medium	425 FPS	460 FPS
high	381 FPS	409 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	342 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
1080p
low	859 FPS	1079 FPS
medium	802 FPS	1015 FPS
high	699 FPS	912 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	811 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	895 FPS
medium	678 FPS	788 FPS
high	590 FPS	689 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	605 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	658 FPS
medium	488 FPS	582 FPS
high	437 FPS	514 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

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 PRO 390

The Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 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 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 64 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: 43,174 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, matching the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390's 12 cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-12700K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390's 43,174 — a 22.8% lead for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	12 / 24
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+156%
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	43,174+26%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses FP11 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus 8000 on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports 50% 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 PRO 390). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700K) vs 28 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Socket	LGA1700	FP11
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	4800	8000+67%
Max RAM Capacity	128	128
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	28+40%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) and AMD Radeon 8050S (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 rivals Apple M4 Max.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	AMD Radeon 8050S
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 debuted at $600. On MSRP ($409 vs $600), the Core i7-12700K is $191 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700K delivers 84.0 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 — making the Core i7-12700K the 15.4% better value option.