AMD Ryzen 5 150 vs Intel Core i9-12900HX Comparison

The Intel Core i9-12900HX and AMD Ryzen 5 150 represent two very different approaches to mobile computing power, yet both land in the 84th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel part is a 16-core, 24-thread behemoth built on Intel's 10 nm Alder Lake process, launched in May 2022 with a launch MSRP of $606. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 is a more modest 6-core, 12-thread chip on TSMC's 6 nm node, released in September 2025. Despite their architectural and generational gaps, their average benchmark scores are remarkably close: 35003 for the Intel and 34881 for the AMD, a difference of less than 0.5%. However, a closer look at the individual benchmark results reveals a starkly one-sided competitive picture, with the Intel processor winning all 11 head-to-head tests and leading by margins ranging from 18.7% to a massive 180.9%.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints a clear picture of a workload split that heavily favors the Intel Core i9-12900HX. In every single head-to-head test recorded, the Intel processor emerges victorious, making it the unequivocal choice for performance-sensitive tasks. The AMD Ryzen 5 150, while competitive in overall average score, does not secure a win in any of the 11 benchmark categories. This suggests that while the AMD chip can hold its own in aggregate metrics due to efficient engineering, it cannot match the raw output of the Intel part in any specific measured workload.

The Intel processor's dominance is most pronounced in heavily parallelized and mathematically intensive workloads. It leads by 180.9% in `passmark_find_prime_numbers`, 149.6% in `passmark_physics`, and 140.4% in `passmark_floating_point_math`. These results indicate a significant advantage in multi-threaded computational throughput, likely stemming from its higher core count and thread count. In real-world terms, this translates to a clear edge in rendering, scientific computing, and other tasks that can leverage many cores simultaneously. The data shows that for users prioritizing maximum performance in these areas, the Intel Core i9-12900HX is the definitive choice.

Conversely, the AMD Ryzen 5 150's value proposition is not about winning a specific benchmark but rather about offering a competitive average score with a significantly lower power envelope. Its 35 W TDP is substantially lower than the Intel's 55 W TDP. While the benchmark scores show it trailing in every category, the data implies that it achieves a respectable 84th percentile standing with far less power draw. For scenarios where sustained performance over battery life or thermal management is paramount, the AMD chip may be the more sensible option, despite losing every direct performance comparison. The data does not show a workload where the AMD chip is faster, but it does suggest a platform where the performance per watt is likely superior.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and process technologies. The Intel Core i9-12900HX is based on the Alder Lake architecture, specifically the Alder Lake-HX codename, and is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process node with a die size of 215 mm². In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 5 150 uses the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt-R, built on TSMC's more advanced 6 nm process, with a slightly smaller die at 210 mm². The manufacturing process difference is significant, as the 6 nm node typically allows for better power efficiency and higher transistor density.

The core configurations diverge dramatically. The Intel part packs 16 cores and 24 threads, a hybrid design that combines performance and efficiency cores. The AMD part features a more traditional 6-core, 12-thread setup. This core count disparity is the primary driver of the Intel processor's massive wins in multi-threaded benchmarks. Cache hierarchies also differ, with the Intel chip offering 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, plus a 30 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has smaller per-core caches at 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2, and a smaller 16 MB shared L3 cache. This larger cache on the Intel side likely contributes to its higher scores in tasks that benefit from large data sets being close to the cores.

Memory and I/O support also present clear generational and capability differences. The Intel Core i9-12900HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 supports only DDR5. Both feature dual-channel memory buses, but the AMD processor explicitly lists a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel part also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the AMD chip. In terms of PCIe, the Intel processor supports Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 is limited to Gen 4 with the same lane count. The integrated graphics also differ, with Intel offering UHD Graphics 770 and AMD providing the Radeon 660M. Finally, the Intel part has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, whereas the AMD chip is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results are consistently in favor of the Intel Core i9-12900HX, but the magnitude of the victories varies significantly. The largest win for the Intel part is in `passmark_find_prime_numbers`, where it scores 132 against the AMD's 47, a delta of 180.9%. This test is highly sensitive to CPU integer and floating-point performance and demonstrates the immense computational power of the Intel architecture. Similarly, in `passmark_floating_point_math`, the Intel chip scores 84410 compared to 35118, a 140.4% advantage, further confirming its strength in mathematical operations.

The `passmark_multithread` test shows a comprehensive victory for the Intel processor, scoring 33158 against the AMD's 17492, an 89.6% lead. This is a strong indicator of overall multi-core performance and reflects the Intel part's 16-core/24-thread advantage over the AMD's 6-core/12-thread setup. The `passmark_data_compression` test shows a similar 89.6% delta, with scores of 400636 and 211289 respectively. These results suggest that the Intel processor can handle data-intensive workloads with significantly more efficiency and speed.

Even in single-threaded performance, where the core count advantage is irrelevant, the Intel Core i9-12900HX still leads. In `passmark_single_thread`, it scores 3745 against the AMD's 3155, an 18.7% advantage. This is a substantial lead and indicates that the Intel core architecture is simply faster on a per-thread basis, likely due to its higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz compared to the AMD's 4.55 GHz. The smallest margins of victory are in this single-thread test, which shows that while the Intel part wins, the gap narrows when only one core is utilized. Overall, the Intel processor leads by 70.8% in data encryption and 65.7% in extended instructions, cementing its position as the outright performance leader in this comparison.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HX has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 35003, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 150's 34881, a difference of 0.3%.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 150 faster in any benchmark?

A: No. According to the head-to-head data, the AMD Ryzen 5 150 does not win a single benchmark. The Intel Core i9-12900HX wins all 11 recorded tests.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in the `passmark_find_prime_numbers` test, where the Intel Core i9-12900HX leads by 180.9%, scoring 132 versus the AMD's 47.

Q: How does the core count compare between the two?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the AMD processor support ECC memory?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 5 150 does not support ECC memory. The Intel Core i9-12900HX does support ECC memory.

Q: What are the process nodes for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HX is built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 is built on TSMC's 6 nm process.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in almost every fundamental specification category.

• Cores: The Intel Core i9-12900HX has 16 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 has 6 cores.
• Threads: The Intel Core i9-12900HX has 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 has 12 threads.
• Base Clock: The Intel Core i9-12900HX has a base clock of 2.30 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 has a base clock of 3.30 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The Intel Core i9-12900HX boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 boosts to 4.55 GHz.
• TDP: The Intel Core i9-12900HX has a TDP of 55 W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 has a TDP of 35 W.
• Socket: The Intel Core i9-12900HX uses Intel BGA 1964, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 uses AMD Socket FP7.
• Architecture: The Intel Core i9-12900HX is based on Alder Lake, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 is based on Zen 3+.
• Process Node: The Intel Core i9-12900HX is on 10 nm, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 is on 6 nm.
• Foundry: The Intel Core i9-12900HX is made by Intel, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 is made by TSMC.
• L1 Cache: The Intel Core i9-12900HX has 80 KB per core, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 has 64 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: The Intel Core i9-12900HX has 1.25 MB per core, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 has 512 KB per core.
• L3 Cache: The Intel Core i9-12900HX has 30 MB shared, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 has 16 MB shared.
• Memory Support: The Intel Core i9-12900HX supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 supports only DDR5.
• Memory Bandwidth: The AMD Ryzen 5 150 explicitly lists 76.8 GB/s, while the Intel Core i9-12900HX does not list a figure.
• ECC Memory: Supported on the Intel Core i9-12900HX, but not on the AMD Ryzen 5 150.
• PCIe: The Intel Core i9-12900HX supports Gen 5 with 20 lanes, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 supports Gen 4 with 20 lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: The Intel Core i9-12900HX has UHD Graphics 770, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 has Radeon 660M.
• Unlocked Multiplier: Yes for the Intel Core i9-12900HX, no for the AMD Ryzen 5 150.
• Release Date: The Intel Core i9-12900HX was released in May 2022, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 was released in September 2025.
• Launch MSRP: The Intel Core i9-12900HX had a launch MSRP of $606, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 has no listed MSRP.