Ryzen Z2 Go vs Core i7-12700K
Ryzen Z2 Go
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 Ryzen Z2 Go is positioned at rank #935 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 Ryzen Z2 Go
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-12700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen Z2 Go | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($285) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Rembrandt R (2025) / 6 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen Z2 Go | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ 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 Ryzen Z2 Go and Core i7-12700K
Ryzen Z2 Go
The Ryzen Z2 Go is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Rembrandt R (2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 6 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB + 8 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 12,188 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 Ryzen Z2 Go packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-12700K offers 12 cores / 20 threads — the Core i7-12700K has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Z2 Go versus 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K — a 15.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen Z2 Go uses the Rembrandt R (2025) architecture (6 nm), while the Core i7-12700K uses Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Z2 Go scores 12,188 against the Core i7-12700K's 34,347 — a 95.2% lead for the Core i7-12700K. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Ryzen Z2 Go vs 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K.
| Feature | Ryzen Z2 Go | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 12 / 20+200% |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz | 5 GHz+16% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | 3.6 GHz+20% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB | 25 MB (total)+213% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+60% | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 6 nm-40% | 10 nm |
| Architecture | Rembrandt R (2025) | Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) |
| PassMark | 12,188 | 34,347+182% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 5,802 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,842 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 6,073 | — |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-6400 on the Ryzen Z2 Go versus 4800 on the Core i7-12700K — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-12700K supports up to 128 of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Ryzen Z2 Go) vs 20 (Core i7-12700K) — the Core i7-12700K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Rembrandt-R (Ryzen Z2 Go) and Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K).
| Feature | Ryzen Z2 Go | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | — | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5-6400 | 4800+95900% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+52428700% | 128 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-12700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: SVM (Ryzen Z2 Go) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon 680M (Ryzen Z2 Go) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen Z2 Go targets Budget. Direct competitor: Ryzen Z2 Go rivals Core Ultra 5 135U; Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.
| Feature | Ryzen Z2 Go | Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon 680M | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | SVM | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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