AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE vs Intel Core i9-12900H Comparison

The Intel Core i9-12900H and AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE are two mobile processors that take fundamentally different approaches to performance. The Intel part is a 14-core hybrid behemoth built for maximum multi-threaded throughput, while the AMD chip is a 6-core Zen 4 part that wins on efficiency and single-core muscle. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the Intel Core i9-12900H wins 13 of 17 head-to-head tests, but the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE takes the most important next-generation workloads. If your priority is raw parallel compute, the Intel part is the obvious choice. If you want the fastest single-threaded response and the best performance per watt, the AMD chip is the one to pick.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct buyer profiles. The Intel Core i9-12900H is the pick for users who need maximum multi-threaded performance in a mobile package. It crushes the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests, and in PassMark floating-point math it leads by a massive 73.9%. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE, however, is the better choice for single-threaded workloads and for users who value the latest architecture. It wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 26.4% and PassMark single-thread by 5%. The AMD chip also has a 35W TDP versus Intel's 45W, meaning it achieves its results with less power draw. The Intel processor is the workhorse; the AMD processor is the sprinter.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different design philosophies. The Intel Core i9-12900H uses the Alder Lake architecture on a 10nm process node built by Intel. It is a hybrid design with 14 cores and 20 threads, combining performance and efficiency cores. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE uses Zen 4 architecture on a 4nm process node from TSMC. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, a simpler and more power-efficient layout. The Intel part is based on the Alder Lake-H codename, while the AMD chip uses the Phoenix2 codename. The Intel processor has a larger die size at 217 mm², while the AMD chip is smaller at 137 mm², and the AMD chip carries 20,900 million transistors. Cache configurations also differ: the Intel part has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip supports DDR5 only, with a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not. The integrated graphics differ: Intel uses Iris Xe 96EU, while AMD uses Radeon 740M. The Intel part has 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the AMD chip has 14.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-12900H dominates in multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads. Its 14 cores and 20 threads give it a clear advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 2576.5 versus the AMD's 1808, a 42.5% lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Intel part scores 9501 against the AMD's 7534, a 26.1% win. The PassMark suite shows similar dominance: Intel leads in floating-point math by 73.9%, integer math by 49.7%, and physics by 52.4%. Data compression and encryption also favor Intel, with 28.5% and 30.6% leads, respectively. The Intel part also wins in prime number finding by 35.4%. This is the chip for video rendering, 3D simulation, and any task that scales with core count.

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE wins where single-thread speed and modern architecture matter. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2532 beats Intel's 1863.5 by 26.4%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip also wins, scoring 17940 versus Intel's 15946.5, an 11.1% lead. This is notable because it shows the AMD chip can win in multi-threaded tests too, despite having fewer cores, in certain workloads. PassMark single-thread also goes to AMD, 3914 versus 3717, a 5% lead. The AMD chip is the better choice for everyday responsiveness, light gaming, and applications that prioritize single-core performance over raw core count.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900H has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: Both the Intel Core i9-12900H and the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE have a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE is built on a 4nm process node, while the Intel Core i9-12900H uses a 10nm process node.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i9-12900H does not.

Q: Which CPU has a higher PassMark multi-thread score?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900H scores 27340 in PassMark multi-thread, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE scores 21135, giving Intel a 29.4% lead.

Q: Which CPU has a higher Cinebench R23 single-core score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE scores 2532, while the Intel Core i9-12900H scores 1863.5, giving AMD a 26.4% lead.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the Intel Core i9-12900H is in PassMark floating-point math. It scores 67940 versus the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE's 39065, a 73.9% lead. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The Intel part also excels in integer math, scoring 93828 against 62666, a 49.7% margin. Physics tests show Intel at 1753 versus AMD's 1150, a 52.4% lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel part scores 2576.5 against 1808, a 42.5% win, and in Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 9501 against 7534, a 26.1% win. Prime number finding goes to Intel by 35.4% (107 versus 79), and data compression goes to Intel by 28.5% (316714 versus 246397). Data encryption also favors Intel, 18548 versus 14197, a 30.6% lead. Extended instructions see Intel ahead by 5.1% (18875 versus 17962), and random string sorting goes to Intel by 19.6% (35296 versus 29501). PassMark multi-thread goes to Intel by 29.4% (27340 versus 21135).

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE takes its biggest win in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 2532 against 1863.5, a 26.4% lead. It also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 17940 against 15946.5, an 11.1% margin. PassMark single-thread goes to AMD by 5% (3914 versus 3717). The AMD chip also wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test, but only by 4.3% (266 versus 255), and it loses Cinebench R20 single-core to Intel by 26.2% (1341 versus 1063), which appears to be an outlier compared to its other single-thread wins.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count, clock speeds, TDP, socket, architecture, process node, and cache. The Intel Core i9-12900H has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel part has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The AMD part has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel TDP is 45W, while the AMD TDP is 35W. The Intel part uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, while the AMD part uses the AMD Socket AM5. The Intel architecture is Alder Lake, while the AMD architecture is Zen 4. The Intel process node is 10nm from Intel, while the AMD process node is 4nm from TSMC. The Intel die size is 217 mm², while the AMD die size is 137 mm². The Intel L1 cache is 80 KB per core, while the AMD L1 cache is 64 KB per core. The Intel L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core, while the AMD L2 cache is 1 MB per core. The Intel L3 cache is 24 MB shared, while the AMD L3 cache is 16 MB shared. The Intel memory support is DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD memory support is DDR5 only. The Intel ECC support is false, while the AMD ECC support is true. The Intel PCIe is Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the AMD PCIe is Gen 4 with 14 lanes. The Intel integrated graphics is Iris Xe 96EU, while the AMD integrated graphics is Radeon 740M. The Intel multiplier is locked, while the AMD multiplier is unlocked. The Intel part number is SRLD4, while the AMD part number is 100-000001495. The Intel release date is 2022-01-03, while the AMD release date is 2024-04-15.