AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS vs Intel Core i7-12700 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700 has 12 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS has 6 cores and 12 threads. This gives the Intel part a substantial advantage in heavily threaded workloads.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-12700 leads in every single-threaded benchmark in the data. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1894 versus 1714 for the AMD, a 9.5% advantage. In PassMark single-thread, the Intel scores 3864 against 3653, a 5.5% edge.

Q: What is the difference in manufacturing process?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core i7-12700 uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The AMD chip also has a smaller die size at 178 mm² compared to Intel's 215 mm².

Q: Which processor supports faster PCIe?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700 supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Intel's implementation offers the newer standard, though AMD provides more total lanes.

Q: Do both processors include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both have integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS features a Radeon 760M, while the Intel Core i7-12700 includes UHD Graphics 770. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS has an average benchmark score of 33244, slightly higher than the Intel Core i7-12700's 32942. Both processors sit at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-12700 wins all 15 benchmark comparisons. There are zero wins for the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS. However, the magnitude of Intel's victories varies widely by workload type, which informs where each chip is better suited.

The Intel part dominates in multi-threaded and compute-heavy tasks. Its biggest margin comes in PassMark floating point math, where it scores 81191 versus 44833, a 44.8% advantage. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 39.2% lead (21751 vs 13220), and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 33.5% lead (3151 vs 2094). These results indicate that the Intel processor is far stronger for rendering, scientific computing, and other heavily parallel workloads.

The AMD chip is comparatively closer in single-threaded tasks. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel wins by only 0.7% (272 vs 270). PassMark single-thread shows a 5.5% gap, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 9.5% gap. For workloads that rely on lightly threaded performance, the AMD processor is more competitive, though still trailing.

The Intel also wins decisively in memory and I/O-related tasks: data compression (375950 vs 265483, 29.4% ahead), integer math (106554 vs 72640, 31.8% ahead), and random string sorting (38970 vs 31748, 18.5% ahead). These results suggest the Intel chip is better for database work, file compression, and general productivity applications.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS uses Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The chip is designed for mobile use, fitting into AMD Socket FP8.

The Intel Core i7-12700 uses Alder Lake architecture (Alder Lake-S), built on a 10 nm process at Intel. It packs 12 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. This is a desktop processor using Intel Socket 1700.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 25 MB of shared L3. The larger Intel L3 cache likely contributes to its strong performance in compression and encryption tests.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD chip supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, though its memory bandwidth figure is not listed in the data.

The transistor counts differ dramatically: the AMD chip contains 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die, while the Intel chip's transistor count is not listed but its die size is larger at 215 mm². The Intel chip's PCIe implementation is Gen 5, while the AMD uses Gen 4.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS | Intel Core i7-12700 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 12 |

| Threads | 12 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 4.30 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Alder Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 178 mm² | 215 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 25 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 760M | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $349 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a consistent pattern: the Intel Core i7-12700 wins every single benchmark in the comparison, but the margins vary significantly.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel processor scores 21751 versus 13220 for the AMD, a 39.2% advantage. This is one of the largest gaps and reflects the Intel chip's superior core count. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a similar story: 3151 vs 2094, a 33.5% deficit for the AMD.

Single-core results are much closer. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the difference is negligible: 272 for Intel versus 270 for AMD, just 0.7%. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 9.5% gap (1894 vs 1714), and PassMark single-thread shows a 5.5% gap (3864 vs 3653). The AMD's higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus 4.90 GHz helps narrow the gap in lightly threaded tests.

PassMark results reinforce Intel's dominance across the board. The largest margin is in floating point math: 81191 vs 44833, a 44.8% advantage. Integer math shows a 31.8% gap (106554 vs 72640). Data compression shows a 29.4% gap (375950 vs 265483). Data encryption shows a 22.6% gap (20143 vs 15588). Extended instructions show a 17.3% gap (24184 vs 20003).

The smallest PassMark gaps are in single-threaded tests at 5.5%, and random string sorting at 18.5%. Physics tests show a 29.7% gap (1558 vs 1095), and prime number finding shows a 25.7% gap (101 vs 75).

The Verdict

The benchmark data is clear: the Intel Core i7-12700 is the superior processor in every measured workload. With 15 wins out of 15 head-to-head comparisons, there is no benchmark category where the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS comes out ahead.

The Intel processor is the obvious choice for anyone needing maximum multi-threaded performance. Its 39.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 44.8% lead in floating point math make it ideal for rendering, video encoding, scientific simulations, and other heavily parallel workloads. The larger core count and 25 MB of L3 cache provide a substantial advantage in productivity tasks like compression and encryption.

However, the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS is not without merit. Its 45 W TDP versus Intel's 65 W suggests it is designed for more power-constrained environments. The AMD chip's near-parity in Cinebench R15 single-core (within 0.7%) shows that its Zen 4 architecture is highly efficient per clock. For users in mobile or compact systems where power and thermals are primary concerns, the AMD part may be the more practical fit, despite its performance deficit.

The average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story: the AMD averages 33244 versus Intel's 32942, a 0.9% edge for AMD, though both sit at the 83rd percentile. This suggests that in mixed workloads, the two are more comparable than the head-to-head numbers imply. The AMD chip also has a higher boost clock (5.00 GHz vs 4.90 GHz), which helps in bursty, lightly threaded tasks.

For a desktop user who wants raw performance and is not constrained by power limits, the Intel Core i7-12700 is the clear winner. For a mobile user who needs a capable processor in a 45 W envelope, the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS offers competitive single-threaded performance with far lower power consumption. The choice ultimately depends on whether the workload is more single-threaded or multi-threaded, and whether the platform is a desktop or a laptop.