AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U vs Intel Core i7-12700F Comparison

The Intel Core i7-12700F and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U represent two different philosophies in processor design: one is a desktop-focused, high-core-count part, while the other is a mobile efficiency champion. The data shows a clear split in workload performance, with the Intel chip dominating throughput-heavy tasks and the AMD chip taking the lead in specific single-threaded and newer rendering workloads. This analysis breaks down where each processor excels, what separates them architecturally, and who should choose which based on recorded benchmark results.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12700F is the clear winner for multi-threaded and compute-intensive workloads. Across the head-to-head benchmarks, it secures 14 wins out of 17 tests. Its largest victory comes in PassMark floating point math, where it scores 81,804 against the AMD's 45,265, a margin of 80.7%. It also dominates in integer math with a 42.9% lead (107,013 vs 74,875), data compression with a 47.3% lead (384,463 vs 260,925), and multithread performance with a 33.6% lead (30,445 vs 22,795). These results indicate a strong advantage for rendering, encoding, and general productivity tasks that scale with core count.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U wins only 3 benchmarks, but they are notable. It takes the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 19,982 versus Intel's 15,291, a 23.5% advantage. It also wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 2,821 versus 1,898, a 32.7% lead, and Cinebench R15 single-core with 284 versus 271, a 4.6% edge. These wins suggest that in the newest Cinebench version, the AMD architecture is significantly more efficient per thread, which is critical for certain professional applications and lightly-threaded tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different platforms. The Intel Core i7-12700F uses the Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node from Intel, featuring a hybrid design with 12 cores and 20 threads. Its cache structure includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 25 MB L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and carries a 65 W TDP. This is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700 with Gen 5 PCIe (16 lanes from the CPU) and no integrated graphics.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U, in contrast, uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process node from TSMC, with 6 cores and 12 threads. It has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 16 MB L3 cache. It supports only DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, and it enables ECC memory support. The AMD part is a mobile chip on AMD Socket FP7 with a 28 W TDP and includes integrated Radeon 760M graphics. It also uses Gen 4 PCIe with 20 lanes from the CPU. The transistor count for the AMD chip is listed at 25,000 million, with a die size of 178 mm², while the Intel chip has a die size of 215 mm².

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward choice based on platform and workload. For a desktop builder prioritizing raw multi-threaded performance in traditional benchmarks, the Intel Core i7-12700F is the stronger option. Its wins in PassMark multithread, floating point, integer math, and data encryption demonstrate a substantial edge in sustained compute tasks. The 65 W TDP and desktop socket also suggest it is designed for systems where power draw is less of a constraint.

For a mobile user or someone needing a highly efficient processor with strong single-thread performance in specific applications, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U is the better pick. Its 28 W TDP is significantly lower, making it suitable for thin laptops. The Cinebench R23 results are particularly telling: the AMD chip outperforms the Intel part by 23.5% in multi-core and 32.7% in single-core in that specific test, which is the only multi-core benchmark it wins. This suggests that in newer rendering workloads, the AMD architecture provides a performance-per-watt advantage that the Intel chip cannot match.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U is faster, scoring 19,982 compared to the Intel Core i7-12700F's 15,291, a 23.5% advantage.

Q: How much does the Intel chip lead in PassMark multithread?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700F scores 30,445 in PassMark multithread, which is 33.6% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U's 22,795.

Q: What is the difference in single-thread performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U leads with a score of 2,821, while the Intel Core i7-12700F scores 1,898, giving AMD a 32.7% edge.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-12700F does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700F has a TDP of 65 W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U has a TDP of 28 W.

Q: Does the Intel chip have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Intel Core i7-12700F does not have integrated graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U includes Radeon 760M.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Core i7-12700F is in PassMark floating point math, where it scores 81,804 against the AMD's 45,265, a massive 80.7% lead. This is followed by a 47.3% lead in data compression (384,463 vs 260,925) and a 42.9% lead in integer math (107,013 vs 74,875). The Intel chip also wins PassMark multithread by 33.6%, PassMark extended instructions by 29.6%, and PassMark physics by 28.9%. In Cinebench R20, the Intel chip wins both multi-core (10,767 vs 8,392) and single-core (1,519 vs 1,184) by 28.3%. It also takes Cinebench R15 multi-core by 29.6% (2,610 vs 2,014), PassMark data encryption by 27.4%, and PassMark find prime numbers by 25.6%.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U's wins are concentrated in Cinebench R23, where it leads by 23.5% in multi-core and 32.7% in single-core. It also narrowly wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 4.6% (284 vs 271). Outside of these, the Intel chip maintains a smaller but consistent lead in PassMark single-thread tests, winning by 3.2% (3,850 vs 3,732). The overall score tally is 14 wins for Intel and 3 for AMD, but the AMD wins are in some of the most relevant modern workloads, making the comparison more nuanced than a simple count.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The Intel Core i7-12700F has 12 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: Intel runs at 2.10 GHz, while AMD runs at 3.50 GHz, though both boost to 4.90 GHz. The TDP is a major split, with Intel at 65 W and AMD at 28 W. Cache sizes also vary: Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 25 MB shared L3, while AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Memory support differs, with Intel supporting both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. The AMD chip has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a figure not listed for Intel. ECC memory is supported on AMD but not Intel. PCIe generations and lane counts differ: Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while AMD uses Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The AMD chip includes integrated Radeon 760M graphics, while the Intel chip has none. The process nodes are distinct: Intel uses 10 nm from its own foundry, while AMD uses 4 nm from TSMC. The AMD chip has 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die, while the Intel die is 215 mm². The Intel chip is a desktop part on Socket 1700 with a launch MSRP of $324, while the AMD chip is a mobile part on Socket FP7 with no recorded launch MSRP.