AMD Ryzen 5 7540U vs Intel Core i5-12450HX Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12450HX and AMD Ryzen 5 7540U split their benchmark wins along clear lines of workload type. The Intel chip wins 5 of the 15 head-to-head tests, while the AMD chip takes 10. The Intel part dominates in multi-core rendering and physics simulation, whereas the AMD part leads in single-threaded tasks, encryption, and several integer-heavy workloads.

The Intel Core i5-12450HX takes its strongest victories in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 11390 against the AMD chip's 10383, a 9.7% advantage. It also wins floating-point math by a wide margin, scoring 43126 versus 36077, a 19.5% lead. Physics simulation goes to Intel as well, with 1086 against 964, a 12.7% gap. Data compression is another Intel win, 219707 versus 211581, a 3.8% edge.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U counters with wins in Cinebench R15 both single-core and multi-core, taking the multicore test 1676 against 1512 (9.8% ahead) and the single-core test 264 against 213 (19.3% ahead). It also wins Cinebench R23 single-core, though that test goes to Intel overall, so this is a mixed result. AMD leads in integer math (60152 versus 57189, 4.9% ahead), data encryption (12563 versus 12110, 3.6% ahead), extended instructions (15307 versus 13832, 9.6% ahead), prime number finding (66 versus 54, 18.2% ahead), random string sorting (24760 versus 23306, 5.9% ahead), and single-thread performance (3544 versus 3340, 5.8% ahead). The AMD part also edges out Intel in the Passmark multithread test, 18576 versus 18274, though only by 1.6%.

The data suggests a split: Intel for heavy sustained multi-core loads and floating-point work, AMD for bursty single-threaded tasks and integer-heavy operations. The overall average benchmark scores are close, with Intel at 24576 and AMD at 24188, placing them in the 77th and 76th percentiles of all CPUs respectively.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-12450HX uses Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process built by Intel itself, with a die size of 215 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U uses Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process from TSMC, with 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die.

Core counts differ: Intel has 8 cores and 12 threads, while AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads. Both support 12 threads, but Intel achieves this through a hybrid configuration, while AMD relies on simultaneous multithreading across fewer physical cores. Cache layouts also differ. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

Memory support diverges. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, while AMD supports only DDR5 but includes a measured memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. AMD also supports ECC memory, which Intel does not. PCIe lanes differ as well: Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, while AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes.

Power characteristics are notably different. Intel has a TDP of 55 watts, while AMD is rated at 28 watts. The AMD chip also has higher clocks: a base of 3.20 GHz and boost of 4.90 GHz, versus Intel's 2.40 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. Integrated graphics differ: Intel uses UHD Graphics 710, while AMD uses Radeon 740M.

The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD part does not. Release dates also differ, with Intel launching in May 2022 and AMD in May 2023. Intel has a launch MSRP of $284; AMD has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single biggest margin in either direction is Intel's 24.7% win in Cinebench R23 single-core. Intel scores 2119 against AMD's 1699. This is surprising given AMD's higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus Intel's 4.40 GHz, but the benchmark data shows Intel leading clearly.

AMD's largest win is 19.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core, with 264 against Intel's 213. AMD also wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 9.8%, scoring 1676 versus 1512. These two R15 results contrast sharply with the R23 results, where Intel wins multicore by 9.7% (11390 versus 10383) and single-core by 24.7%. The two chips trade the lead depending on the Cinebench version, which suggests different workload sensitivities within the same benchmark family.

In Passmark tests, Intel's biggest win is floating-point math, 19.5% ahead with 43126 versus 36077. Intel also wins physics by 12.7% (1086 versus 964) and data compression by 3.8% (219707 versus 211581). AMD's Passmark wins include extended instructions at 9.6% (15307 versus 13832), prime numbers at 18.2% (66 versus 54), random string sorting at 5.9% (24760 versus 23306), and single-thread at 5.8% (3544 versus 3340). AMD also wins integer math by 4.9% (60152 versus 57189) and data encryption by 3.6% (12563 versus 12110). The multithread test is close, with AMD ahead 18576 versus 18274, a 1.6% margin.

Overall, the head-to-head results show Intel winning the heavier, more sustained workloads and AMD winning the lighter, more varied tasks. The wins are not one-sided in any single category; each chip has clear strengths.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450HX wins Cinebench R23 multicore with a score of 11390, which is 9.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U's 10383.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U win any rendering tests?

A: Yes, AMD wins Cinebench R15 multicore with 1676 against Intel's 1512, a 9.8% lead. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 264 against 213, a 19.3% margin.

Q: Which chip is better for floating-point calculations?

A: Intel is clearly ahead. The Core i5-12450HX scores 43126 in Passmark floating-point math, which is 19.5% higher than AMD's 36077.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-thread performance?

A: AMD leads in the Passmark single-thread test, scoring 3544 versus Intel's 3340, a 5.8% advantage. However, Intel wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 24.7%, scoring 2119 versus AMD's 1699.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450HX has a TDP of 55 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U has a TDP of 28 watts. The AMD chip draws less power according to these ratings.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-12450HX has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-12450HX | AMD Ryzen 5 7540U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Base clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1964 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 4 |

| Process node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 25,000 million |

| Die size | 215 mm² | 178 mm² |

| L1 cache (per core) | 80 KB | 64 KB |

| L2 cache (per core) | 1.25 MB | 1 MB |

| L3 cache (shared) | 12 MB | 16 MB |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 710 | Radeon 740M |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release date | 2022-05-09 | 2023-05-02 |

| Launch MSRP | $284 | Not recorded |

The Intel chip has more cores and more L1/L2 cache per core, while AMD has a smaller process node, higher clocks, larger L3 cache, and ECC support. AMD also has a lower TDP and a measured memory bandwidth figure.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-12450HX is the choice for sustained multi-core rendering and floating-point workloads. Its 9.7% win in Cinebench R23 multicore and 19.5% lead in floating-point math make it the stronger option for CPU-bound creative tasks. The physics simulation win (12.7% ahead) reinforces this positioning. Users prioritizing those workloads should pick Intel.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U is the choice for single-threaded responsiveness and integer-heavy tasks. It wins the Passmark single-thread test by 5.8% and leads in integer math by 4.9%, data encryption by 3.6%, and extended instructions by 9.6%. Its 9.8% win in Cinebench R15 multicore shows it can handle shorter multi-core bursts well. The 28 watt TDP also makes it the more power-efficient option on paper.

For users who need the best raw multi-core sustained performance, the Intel part's win in the more demanding Cinebench R23 multicore test is decisive. For users who value varied single-threaded workloads and lower power consumption, the AMD part wins more individual tests and offers a larger L3 cache. The overall average scores are close (Intel 24576, AMD 24188), but the distribution of wins points to different ideal use cases.