Core i7-12700KF vs Ryzen AI 9 HX 375

Intel

Core i7-12700KF

12 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5 GHz2021
Core family
·······
VS
AMD

Ryzen AI 9 HX 375

12 Cores24 Thrd28 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2024
Similar parts
·······

Core i7-12700KF vs Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i7-12700KF vs Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-12700KF vs Ryzen AI 9 HX 375: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-12700KF

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +23.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +56.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (34,056 vs 34,585).
  • Launch MSRP is still $384 MSRP, while Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 346.4% higher power demand at 125W vs 28W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen AI 9 HX 375

2024

Why buy it

  • +1.6% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 28W instead of 125W, a 97W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 890M, while Core i7-12700KF needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 25 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 better than Core i7-12700KF?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-12700KF is ahead with a 23.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 pulls ahead with 1.6% better PassMark. Core i7-12700KF also has the bigger cache pool with 56.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-12700KF is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $384 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-12700KF is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 23.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-12700KF is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 12/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-12700KF vs Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i7-12700KF

The Core i7-12700KF 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 Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,056 points. Launch price was $384.

AMD

Ryzen AI 9 HX 375

The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Julho 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Strix Point-HX (Zen 5) (2024) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 34,585 points. Launch price was $499.

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700KF packs 12 cores / 20 threads, matching the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375's 12 cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700KF versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 — a 2% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-12700KF uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 uses Strix Point-HX (Zen 5) (2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700KF scores 34,056 against the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375's 34,585 — a 1.5% lead for the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700KF vs 16 MB on the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375.

FeatureCore i7-12700KFRyzen AI 9 HX 375
Cores / Threads
12 / 20
12 / 24
Boost Clock
5 GHz
5.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+80%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
25 MB (total)+56%
16 MB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+25%
1 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
4 nm-43%
Architecture
Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Strix Point-HX (Zen 5) (2024)
PassMark
34,056
34,585+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi
22,246
Geekbench 6 Single
2,865
Geekbench 6 Multi
15,100
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700KF uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700KF versus LPDDR5x-8000, DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 — the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 supports 66.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-12700KF) vs 16 (Ryzen AI 9 HX 375) — the Core i7-12700KF offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700KF) and SoC (Ryzen AI 9 HX 375).

FeatureCore i7-12700KFRyzen AI 9 HX 375
Socket
LGA1700
FP8
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
4800
LPDDR5x-8000, DDR5-5600+67%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
256 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
20+25%
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-12700KF has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700KF) vs AMD-V, AMD-Vi (Ryzen AI 9 HX 375). The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 includes integrated graphics (Radeon 890M), while the Core i7-12700KF requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 targets AI-Notebook. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700KF rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 rivals Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.

FeatureCore i7-12700KFRyzen AI 9 HX 375
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
None
Radeon 890M
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V, AMD-Vi
Target Use
AI-Notebook
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-12700KF was priced at $384, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($384 vs $0), Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 was $384 cheaper.

FeatureCore i7-12700KFRyzen AI 9 HX 375
MSRP
$384
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
88.7
Release Date
2021
2024

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.