AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS vs Intel Core i5-12600HX Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear split: the Intel Core i5-12600HX dominates in raw multi-threaded workloads and most compute-heavy tasks, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS counters with superior efficiency in a few specific areas and a marginal lead in single-threaded PassMark tests. With 11 benchmark wins for Intel against 4 for AMD, the data strongly favors the Intel part for productivity, but the AMD chip's wins are meaningful for specific use cases.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12600HX is the decisive winner for multi-core performance, delivering a massive 56.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (20714 vs 13220). This advantage extends across most PassMark workloads: floating-point math (58378 vs 44833, a 30.2% lead), physics (1504 vs 1095, a 37.4% lead), and multithread (24681 vs 22586, a 9.3% lead). The Intel chip also wins in data compression (292256 vs 265483, +10.1%), data encryption (17506 vs 15588, +12.3%), integer math (79339 vs 72640, +9.2%), prime number finding (83 vs 75, +10.7%), and random string sorting (33110 vs 31748, +4.3%). This makes it the clear choice for rendering, video encoding, scientific computation, and any workload that scales with core count.

The AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS wins in extended instructions (20003 vs 17328, a 13.4% lead) and in the single-threaded PassMark tests, where it scores 3653 against Intel's 3623, a marginal 0.8% advantage. It also edges out Intel in Cinebench R15 multi-core (2094 vs 2087, +0.3%), though this is within noise. The AMD chip's wins suggest it has better instruction-level optimization for certain SIMD workloads and a slight edge in lightly-threaded tasks, but its overall single-core advantage in Cinebench R23 is decisively reversed: Intel leads by 70.6% (2924 vs 1714) in that specific test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-12600HX uses Alder Lake-HX architecture on a 10 nm process from Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 215 mm². It features a hybrid configuration with 12 cores and 16 threads, combining performance and efficiency cores to balance power and throughput. The AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS is built on Zen 4 architecture (Hawk Point codename) using TSMC's 4 nm process, with a smaller 178 mm² die that packs 25,000 million transistors. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, relying on higher clock speeds rather than core count for performance.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with a larger 18 MB shared L3 cache. AMD's per-core L1 is 64 KB and L2 is 1 MB, with a smaller 16 MB shared L3. Despite the smaller cache, AMD's process advantage and higher clocks partially compensate. The Intel chip has support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while AMD only supports DDR5, but AMD specifies a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s where Intel does not list one. Intel also supports ECC memory, which AMD does not. Intel's PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 20 lanes, while AMD uses Gen 4 with the same 20 lanes — this gives Intel a potential bandwidth advantage for future peripherals, though the data does not quantify real-world impact.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel chip scores 20714 against AMD's 13220, a delta of 56.7%. This is the single largest gap in the dataset and reflects Intel's 12-core/16-thread advantage over AMD's 6-core/12-thread configuration. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel again dominates with 2924 vs 1714, a 70.6% lead — this is surprising given AMD's higher boost clock (5.00 GHz vs 4.60 GHz) and suggests Intel's hybrid architecture delivers superior per-thread performance in this specific benchmark.

In Cinebench R15, the results are closer: AMD wins multi-core by a hair (2094 vs 2087, +0.3%), while Intel takes single-core with 294 vs 270, an 8.9% lead. This indicates that the older R15 benchmark does not stress the newer architectures as heavily, while R23 exposes more of the performance gap.

PassMark results show Intel's broad dominance. Floating-point math is a 30.2% win for Intel (58378 vs 44833), physics is a 37.4% win (1504 vs 1095), and multithread is a 9.3% win (24681 vs 22586). The smallest Intel wins are random string sorting at 4.3% (33110 vs 31748) and integer math at 9.2% (79339 vs 72640). AMD's only clear victory outside of R15 multi-core is extended instructions (20003 vs 17328, +13.4%), which indicates better handling of SIMD and specialized instruction sets, and the PassMark single-thread tests where AMD leads by 0.8% (3653 vs 3623), a negligible margin.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the overall picture: Intel's average is 33375, and AMD's is 33244, a 0.4% difference in Intel's favor. Both chips sit at the 83rd percentile against all CPUs, meaning they are statistically equivalent in overall performance despite the wide variance in individual tests.

Specification Differences

The key specifications where these two differ are clear. The Intel Core i5-12600HX has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks diverge significantly: Intel runs at 2.50 GHz, AMD at 4.30 GHz. Boost clocks also favor AMD: 4.60 GHz for Intel versus 5.00 GHz for AMD. Thermal design power differs, with Intel rated at 55 W and AMD at 45 W. The process nodes are distinct: Intel uses 10 nm, AMD uses 4 nm. Intel's die is larger at 215 mm² compared to AMD's 178 mm². Cache sizes differ across all levels: Intel has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core versus AMD's 64 KB and 1 MB; Intel's L3 is 18 MB shared versus AMD's 16 MB. Memory support diverges: Intel accepts DDR4 and DDR5, AMD only DDR5. Intel supports ECC memory, AMD does not. PCIe generation differs: Intel Gen 5, AMD Gen 4, both with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics are different: Intel UHD Graphics 770 versus AMD Radeon 760M. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, while AMD's is locked. Intel's socket is BGA 1964, AMD's is FP8. Intel launched on 2022-05-09 with a launch MSRP of $284; AMD launched on 2023-12-05 with no MSRP listed. Intel's part number is SRLGJ, while AMD lists multiple part numbers for different FP packages.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600HX wins decisively, with a 56.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (20714 vs 13220) and a 9.3% lead in PassMark multithread (24681 vs 22586).

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS have any single-core advantage?

A: In PassMark single-thread tests, AMD leads by 0.8% (3653 vs 3623), but Intel dominates Cinebench R23 single-core by 70.6% (2924 vs 1714) and R15 single-core by 8.9% (294 vs 270).

Q: Why does Intel win despite AMD having a higher boost clock?

A: Intel's boost clock is 4.60 GHz versus AMD's 5.00 GHz, but Intel has 12 cores and 16 threads versus AMD's 6 cores and 12 threads, and Intel's cache hierarchy (18 MB L3 shared) provides more capacity for multi-threaded tasks.

Q: What is the one benchmark where AMD clearly outperforms Intel?

A: In PassMark extended instructions, AMD scores 20003 against Intel's 17328, a 13.4% advantage, indicating superior handling of specialized instruction sets.

Q: Are these CPUs in the same performance class overall?

A: Yes, both sit at the 83rd percentile against all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical: Intel at 33375 and AMD at 33244, a 0.4% difference.

Q: Which CPU supports more memory types?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS only supports DDR5. Intel also supports ECC memory, which AMD does not.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear verdict: choose the Intel Core i5-12600HX for any workload that benefits from high core counts and large cache. Its 56.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 37.4% lead in PassMark physics make it the superior choice for rendering, simulation, and heavy multitasking. The 30.2% advantage in floating-point math strengthens the case for scientific and engineering applications. Intel's broader memory support (DDR4 and DDR5) and ECC capability add flexibility for professional systems, and the unlocked multiplier allows tuning for those who need it.

The AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS is the pick for users prioritizing a 13.4% lead in extended instructions, which may translate to better performance in certain SIMD-heavy applications, and a marginal 0.8% edge in PassMark single-thread. Its lower TDP (45 W vs 55 W) suggests better power efficiency, though the data does not quantify battery life or thermal behavior. AMD's smaller 4 nm process and higher boost clock (5.00 GHz) make it an interesting option for lightweight, single-threaded tasks, but the benchmark results show Intel wins more often than not in that category as well.

Given that Intel wins 11 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, including the most demanding multi-core tests, the data supports choosing the Intel Core i5-12600HX for most users. The AMD chip is only preferable if the specific workload relies heavily on extended instruction sets or if the lower TDP is a hard requirement. The overall average scores are nearly tied, but the distribution of wins heavily favors Intel for general-purpose and compute-intensive use.