AMD EPYC 8024P vs Intel Core i9-12900HK Comparison

The AMD EPYC 8024P and Intel Core i9-12900HK occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, yet their average benchmark scores place them within 0.3% of each other. The EPYC 8024P, a server processor with a 90 W TDP, and the i9-12900HK, a mobile chip with a 45 W TDP, both achieve the 78th percentile among all CPUs. However, this statistical parity masks deep architectural divides and distinct performance profiles, as the data reveals a clear split between single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

FAQ

Q: How do the overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD EPYC 8024P has an average benchmark score of 26555, while the Intel Core i9-12900HK scores 26469. The EPYC 8024P leads by a margin of 0.3%, making the two processors statistically equivalent in overall performance.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HK dominates in this area. It leads by 33.5% in PassMark single-thread tests (3567 vs 2371) and by 18.1% in Cinebench R20 single-core (1264 vs 1035). However, the AMD EPYC 8024P wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 47.4% (2466 vs 1673).

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HK wins most multi-core tests, including Cinebench R15 multicore by 36.8% (2786 vs 1761) and PassMark multithread by 20% (25697 vs 20556). The AMD EPYC 8024P only wins Cinebench R23 multicore by 4.5% (17472 vs 18288 is actually a loss; the EPYC wins in fewer multi-core tests).

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HK has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD EPYC 8024P has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel processor also has a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz compared to the EPYC's 3.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor has better memory support?

A: The AMD EPYC 8024P supports only DDR5 memory with a six-channel bus and 230.4 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC memory. The Intel Core i9-12900HK supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus but lacks ECC support and has no listed memory bandwidth.

Q: How do their physical specifications differ?

A: The AMD EPYC 8024P uses AMD Socket SP6 and has a 73 mm² die size with 8,875 million transistors. The Intel Core i9-12900HK uses Intel BGA 1744 and has a 217 mm² die size. The EPYC is built on a 5 nm TSMC process, while Intel uses a 10 nm process.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is fundamental. The AMD EPYC 8024P is built on the Zen 4c architecture, codenamed Siena, and belongs to the EPYC 8004 series. It uses a 5 nm process from TSMC and features a 73 mm² die containing 8,875 million transistors. The Intel Core i9-12900HK uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-H, and is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process with a 217 mm² die size. This size difference is notable: the EPYC packs more than 121 million transistors per square millimeter, while the Intel chip has a lower density.

Cache configurations also diverge significantly. The EPYC 8024P has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-12900HK has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, but only 24 MB of shared L3. The EPYC's larger L3 cache is typical of server designs, while the Intel chip compensates with higher clock speeds.

Memory architecture reinforces their different roles. The EPYC 8024P supports only DDR5 with a six-channel memory bus and a listed bandwidth of 230.4 GB/s, along with ECC memory for error correction in server environments. The i9-12900HK supports both DDR4 and DDR5 but with a dual-channel bus and no ECC capability. PCIe connectivity also differs: the EPYC provides Gen 5 with 96 lanes, while the Intel chip offers Gen 4 with only 20 lanes. The EPYC has no integrated graphics, whereas the i9-12900HK includes Iris Xe 96EU graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear pattern: the Intel Core i9-12900HK wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD EPYC 8024P takes 5 wins. The Intel processor's largest victory comes in PassMark floating point math, where it scores 63572 versus 34757, a 45.3% advantage. Integer math follows a similar trend, with Intel leading 89527 to 62128, a 30.6% margin. Data compression also favors Intel, at 294908 versus 232242, a 21.2% gap.

In Cinebench tests, the results are mixed but still favor Intel. The i9-12900HK leads R15 multicore by 36.8% (2786 vs 1761) and R20 multicore by 18.1% (8958 vs 7338). R23 multicore is closer, with Intel leading 18288 to 17472, just a 4.5% margin. Single-core Cinebench results are split: Intel wins R20 single-core by 18.1% (1264 vs 1035), but the EPYC 8024P wins R23 single-core by a massive 47.4% (2466 vs 1673). R15 single-core is a narrow EPYC win at 2.5% (248 vs 242).

The AMD EPYC 8024P's wins come in specific workloads. It leads PassMark physics by 13.9% (1905 vs 1673) and find prime numbers by 6.9% (109 vs 102). Random string sorting is a 4.9% EPYC advantage (34613 vs 32983). PassMark single-thread tests, however, are firmly in Intel's camp, with the i9-12900HK leading 3567 to 2371, a 33.5% margin. This same margin applies to both the single_thread and singlethread entries, reflecting the same underlying score.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The AMD EPYC 8024P has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i9-12900HK has 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are close, with Intel at 2.50 GHz and AMD at 2.40 GHz, but boost clocks diverge sharply: Intel reaches 5.00 GHz versus AMD's 3.00 GHz. TDP ratings also differ, with the EPYC at 90 W and the i9-12900HK at 45 W.

Cache hierarchies are distinct. The EPYC uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3. The i9-12900HK uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. Memory support is another differentiator: AMD supports DDR5 only with a six-channel bus and 230.4 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and no listed bandwidth. ECC memory is present on the EPYC but absent on the Intel chip.

Connectivity and platform details also differ. The EPYC 8024P uses AMD Socket SP6 and offers PCIe Gen 5 with 96 lanes, whereas the i9-12900HK uses Intel BGA 1744 and offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The EPYC has no integrated graphics, while the Intel chip includes Iris Xe 96EU. The EPYC has a launch MSRP of $409, is not multiplier-unlocked, and uses part number 100-000001136. The Intel chip is multiplier-unlocked, uses part number SRLD3, and has no listed launch MSRP. Release dates differ by about nine months, with Intel launching on 2022-01-03 and AMD on 2023-09-17.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-12900HK wins in every major compute-heavy benchmark category. It has a 45.3% lead in floating point math, a 30.6% lead in integer math, and a 33.5% lead in single-thread performance. These results indicate the Intel chip excels at general-purpose computing tasks, particularly those that benefit from high clock speeds and high thread counts. Its 14 cores and 20 threads, combined with a 5.00 GHz boost clock, make it the choice for workloads like data compression, where it leads by 21.2%, and encryption, where it leads by 9.4%. Extended instruction workloads also favor Intel by 19%.

The AMD EPYC 8024P wins in more specialized areas. Its 47.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is a standout result, suggesting strong per-core efficiency in specific rendering workloads. The EPYC also leads in PassMark physics by 13.9%, find prime numbers by 6.9%, and random string sorting by 4.9%. These wins, while fewer in number, point to the EPYC's strengths in server-oriented tasks that benefit from its larger L3 cache and ECC memory support. The six-channel memory bus and 230.4 GB/s bandwidth also favor memory-intensive server applications, even if the benchmark suite does not directly measure this advantage.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split. The Intel Core i9-12900HK is the superior processor for general-purpose and multi-threaded workloads. It wins 12 of 17 benchmarks, including the largest margins in floating point math (45.3%) and single-thread tests (33.5%). Its 14 cores, 20 threads, and 5.00 GHz boost clock provide a substantial performance advantage across most measured categories. For users running typical productivity, content creation, or mixed-use applications, the i9-12900HK is the stronger choice based on the benchmark evidence.

The AMD EPYC 8024P should be selected for server or workstation environments where its specific strengths matter. Its wins in physics, prime number finding, and random string sorting, combined with its 32 MB L3 cache and six-channel DDR5 memory with ECC, make it suitable for certain scientific or database workloads. The EPYC's 90 W TDP is higher than the Intel chip's 45 W, but its server platform offers PCIe Gen 5 with 96 lanes, which is critical for high-bandwidth I/O. The EPYC also has a notable advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core, suggesting it handles certain single-threaded rendering tasks better than the Intel chip. Ultimately, the choice depends on whether the workload prioritizes the Intel chip's broad multi-threaded dominance or the EPYC's specialized server features and memory architecture.