
Athlon Neo MV-40

Core i7-12700K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Athlon Neo MV-40 is positioned at rank #1020 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon Neo MV-40
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-12700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon Neo MV-40 | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($5) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($285) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Huron (2009) / 65 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon Neo MV-40 | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+111%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($5) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($285) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon Neo MV-40 and Core i7-12700K

Athlon Neo MV-40
The Athlon Neo MV-40 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Huron (2009) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: ASB1. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,274 points. Launch price was $149.

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.
Processing Power
The Athlon Neo MV-40 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i7-12700K offers 12 cores / 20 threads — the Core i7-12700K has 11 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Athlon Neo MV-40 versus 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K — a 103% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K. The Athlon Neo MV-40 uses the Huron (2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i7-12700K uses Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon Neo MV-40 scores 1,274 against the Core i7-12700K's 34,347 — a 185.7% lead for the Core i7-12700K.
| Feature | Athlon Neo MV-40 | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 1 / 1 | 12 / 20+1100% |
| Boost Clock | 1.6 GHz | 5 GHz+213% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 25 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 1.25 MB (per core)+150% |
| Process | 65 nm | 10 nm-85% |
| Architecture | Huron (2009) | Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) |
| PassMark | 1,274 | 34,347+2596% |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon Neo MV-40 uses the ASB1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-12700K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Athlon Neo MV-40 versus 4800 on the Core i7-12700K — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-12700K supports up to 128 of RAM compared to 4 GB — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon Neo MV-40) vs 20 (Core i7-12700K) — the Core i7-12700K offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD ASB1 (Athlon Neo MV-40) and Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K).
| Feature | Athlon Neo MV-40 | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | ASB1 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 5.0+150% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-667 | 4800+239900% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB+3276700% | 128 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Athlon Neo MV-40) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K). The Core i7-12700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Athlon Neo MV-40 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.
| Feature | Athlon Neo MV-40 | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
Value Analysis
The Athlon Neo MV-40 launched at $100 MSRP, while the Core i7-12700K debuted at $409. At current prices ($5 vs $285), the Athlon Neo MV-40 is $280 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon Neo MV-40 delivers 254.8 pts/$ vs 120.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-12700K — making the Athlon Neo MV-40 the 71.6% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon Neo MV-40 | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $100-76% | $409 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $5-98% | $285 |
| Performance per Dollar | 254.8+111% | 120.5 |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2021 |
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