AMD Ryzen 5 8640U vs Intel Core i9-12900HK Comparison

The Intel Core i9-12900HK and AMD Ryzen 5 8640U are both mobile processors that land in the 78th percentile of all CPUs, yet they achieve that standing through wildly different strategies. The data reveals a 14-to-1 head-to-head blowout, but the single loss for Intel is a telling one that hints at a fundamental architectural shift. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 26,469 for Intel versus 26,462 for AMD, a rounding error — but that parity masks a stark divergence in workload characteristics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic separation occurs in multi-threaded rendering tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Intel Core i9-12900HK scores 18,288 against the AMD Ryzen 5 8640U’s 10,433, a 75.3% advantage. The older Cinebench R15 multicore test tells a similar story: Intel’s 2,786 beats AMD’s 1,663 by 67.5%. These are not marginal victories; they represent a generational gap in raw throughput that no amount of efficiency can paper over.

The math-heavy PassMark suite reinforces the pattern. Intel leads by 57.6% in floating point math (63,572 versus 40,330) and by 31.6% in integer math (89,527 versus 68,051). Prime number finding shows a 47.8% gap (102 versus 69), and physics simulation favors Intel by 62% (1,673 versus 1,033). Data compression is 28.2% faster on Intel (294,908 versus 230,080), and data encryption runs 24.5% quicker (17,445 versus 14,013). Even random string sorting, a memory-latency-sensitive task, goes to Intel by 17.5% (32,983 versus 28,066).

The overall PassMark multithread score gives Intel a 26.4% edge (25,697 versus 20,322), and extended instructions are 6.6% faster (17,583 versus 16,500). In single-threaded workloads, the gap narrows dramatically. Cinebench R23 single-core shows Intel ahead by just 1.3% (1,673 versus 1,651), and PassMark single-thread shows a 0.9% lead (3,567 versus 3,534). These are essentially ties.

The single AMD victory comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Ryzen 5 8640U scores 256 versus Intel’s 242, a 5.5% win. This is the only test where AMD comes out ahead, and it is a notable one. It suggests that in lightly-threaded legacy workloads, the Zen 4 architecture’s higher base clock and IPC efficiency can overcome Intel’s superior boost clock.

Architecture Differences

The core count disparity is the primary driver of the benchmark results. Intel fields 14 cores and 20 threads against AMD’s 6 cores and 12 threads. Intel’s hybrid Alder Lake-H design mixes performance and efficiency cores, while AMD’s Hawk Point uses six full Zen 4 cores. The process node difference is stark: Intel uses a 10 nm process from its own foundry, while AMD uses TSMC’s 4 nm process with 25,000 million transistors.

Cache hierarchies reflect the core count mismatch. Intel offers 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while AMD has 16 MB. Per-core L1 and L2 caches are larger on Intel (80 KB and 1.25 MB per core) versus AMD (64 KB and 1 MB per core). Intel’s die size is 217 mm², slightly larger than AMD’s 178 mm², but AMD packs more transistors into a smaller area thanks to the denser node.

Memory support differs as well. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD is DDR5-only. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but AMD specifies 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth, a figure Intel does not list. Both support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, and neither supports ECC memory. Intel’s integrated graphics are Iris Xe with 96 execution units; AMD’s are Radeon 760M. Intel’s multiplier is unlocked, AMD’s is not. Intel’s TDP is 45 watts versus AMD’s 28 watts, reflecting the power budget Intel needs to feed its extra cores. Intel’s base clock is 2.50 GHz with a 5.00 GHz boost, while AMD starts higher at 3.50 GHz but boosts slightly lower to 4.90 GHz.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split along workload lines. For any task that scales across cores — rendering, physics simulation, encryption, compression, floating-point math — the Intel Core i9-12900HK is the decisive winner, often by 50% or more. The 14-core, 20-thread configuration provides a level of parallel throughput that the 6-core, 12-thread AMD cannot approach. The 75.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore is the single most definitive metric in this comparison.

For single-threaded tasks, the two are effectively tied. The 1.3% and 0.9% leads for Intel in modern single-core tests are within noise, and AMD’s 5.5% win in Cinebench R15 single-core suggests that in older, less optimized software, AMD’s higher base clock and Zen 4 IPC can pull ahead. This makes the AMD a more interesting choice for legacy application compatibility.

The average benchmark scores of 26,469 versus 26,462 imply that in a mixed workload, the two chips will perform nearly identically. The percentile ranking of 78 for both confirms they occupy the same tier. The choice comes down to whether the workload is dominated by multi-threaded tasks (choose Intel) or by a mix of single-threaded and efficiency-sensitive tasks (choose AMD). The Intel’s 45-watt TDP versus AMD’s 28-watt TDP also suggests that AMD may sustain its performance in thermally constrained chassis, though the data does not directly measure sustained performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HK leads Cinebench R23 multicore with 18,288 versus AMD’s 10,433, a 75.3% advantage.

Q: Is there any test where the AMD Ryzen 5 8640U beats the Intel?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD scores 256 versus Intel’s 242, a 5.5% win.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: Intel has 14 cores and 20 threads, while AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the difference in single-thread performance?

A: They are nearly tied; Intel leads Cinebench R23 single-core by 1.3% (1,673 versus 1,651) and PassMark single-thread by 0.9% (3,567 versus 3,534).

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No, Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports DDR5 only.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: Intel is rated at 45 watts, while AMD is rated at 28 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-12900HK is the clear choice for multi-threaded productivity. The 75.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and 67.5% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore make it the superior option for video rendering, 3D modeling, and batch processing. Data-heavy tasks favor Intel decisively: data compression is 28.2% faster, data encryption is 24.5% faster, and integer math is 31.6% faster. Physics simulation, which benefits from parallel core execution, runs 62% faster on Intel. The 47.8% gap in prime number finding indicates a strong advantage in computational number theory and cryptographic workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 8640U wins only in Cinebench R15 single-core, which is a legacy benchmark that may not reflect modern software optimization. However, this result, combined with the near-tie in other single-thread tests, suggests that AMD holds its own in everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications. The 28-watt TDP compared to Intel’s 45 watts implies that AMD may be more suitable for thin-and-light laptops where thermal dissipation is limited, though the data does not directly measure power efficiency.

For users prioritizing maximum multi-core throughput, the Intel Core i9-12900HK is the unambiguous winner. For users who value a more balanced single-thread performance with a lower power envelope, the AMD Ryzen 5 8640U offers a compelling alternative, especially in legacy single-threaded scenarios where it demonstrates a measurable advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. Intel has 14 cores and 20 threads, while AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads. Intel’s base clock is 2.50 GHz versus AMD’s 3.50 GHz, but Intel boosts to 5.00 GHz versus AMD’s 4.90 GHz. The TDP is 45 watts for Intel and 28 watts for AMD. Intel uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, while AMD uses the AMD Socket FP8. Intel’s architecture is Alder Lake (codename Alder Lake-H), while AMD’s is Zen 4 (codename Hawk Point). The process node is 10 nm for Intel and 4 nm for AMD. Intel’s die size is 217 mm², AMD’s is 178 mm². AMD lists 25,000 million transistors, Intel does not. Intel has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, while AMD has 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core. Intel shares 24 MB L3, AMD shares 16 MB. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, AMD supports DDR5 only. AMD specifies 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, Intel does not. Intel’s integrated graphics are Iris Xe 96EU, AMD’s are Radeon 760M. Intel’s multiplier is unlocked, AMD’s is locked. Intel’s release date is 2022-01-03, AMD’s is 2023-12-05. Intel’s part number is SRLD3, AMD’s are 100-000001324, 100-000001376, and 100-000001313.