AMD Ryzen 7 170 vs Intel Core i7-12850HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a clear and consistent picture: the Intel Core i7-12850HX outperforms the AMD Ryzen 7 170 in every single benchmark comparison captured in the database. The Intel chip wins all 11 head-to-head tests, with no benchmark where the AMD processor takes the lead. The margin of victory varies significantly depending on the workload, revealing the strengths and weaknesses of each architecture.

The most striking difference appears in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test, where the Intel Core i7-12850HX scores 111 compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 170's 49. This represents a delta of -55.9% for the AMD chip, meaning the Intel processor is more than twice as fast in this specific integer workload. This test likely stresses the processor's ability to handle sequential, branch-heavy algorithmic work, and the Intel platform's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz compared to the Ryzen's 4.75 GHz, combined with its different core topology, appears to give it a decisive edge here.

Another major gap opens in floating-point math. The Intel chip scores 79337, while the AMD chip manages 44979, a delta of -43.3%. This is a substantial margin in a workload that often scales with the number of execution units and the efficiency of the vector processing pipeline. The Intel part's 16 cores and 24 threads, versus the AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads, likely contribute heavily to this result, as floating-point operations often parallelize well across many physical cores.

The physics benchmark shows a similar trend. Intel's score of 1813 dwarfs AMD's 890, a -50.9% delta. Physics simulations in benchmark suites typically exercise the processor's ability to handle complex mathematical models across multiple threads, and the Intel chip's higher core and thread count provides a significant advantage here. The multi-threaded performance test reinforces this, with Intel scoring 30627 to AMD's 20760, a -32.2% delta. The data suggests that for heavily parallel workloads, the Intel Core i7-12850HX is the clear winner, leveraging its 16 cores and 24 threads effectively.

Even in single-threaded performance, the Intel chip leads, though by a smaller margin. The passmark_single_thread test shows Intel at 3683 and AMD at 3128, a delta of -15.1%. This is notable because single-thread performance is less dependent on core count and more on clock speed and per-core efficiency. The Intel chip's boost clock of 4.80 GHz is only marginally higher than AMD's 4.75 GHz, yet the performance gap is still significant, suggesting that the Intel Alder Lake architecture has a per-core performance advantage in this test.

Data compression and encryption tests also favor Intel. In data compression, Intel scores 365829 versus AMD's 265920, a -27.3% delta. For data encryption, the scores are 21120 and 16078 respectively, a -23.9% delta. These workloads often involve a mix of memory bandwidth and algorithmic throughput. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip supports only DDR5, but the database does not list a memory bandwidth figure for the Intel part. The Intel chip's larger L3 cache (25 MB shared) compared to AMD's 16 MB shared might play a role in these data-heavy tasks.

The extended instructions benchmark shows Intel ahead at 22227 versus AMD's 18107, a -18.5% delta. This test likely exercises SIMD and other advanced instruction set extensions, where the newer Intel architecture appears to have an edge. Integer math also favors Intel, with a score of 108076 versus AMD's 79738, a -26.2% delta. Random string sorting shows Intel at 40327 and AMD at 27804, a -31.1% delta, another win for the Intel part.

The overall average benchmark score reflects this dominance. The Intel Core i7-12850HX has an average score of 41779 across all its recorded benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 has an average of 43689. Interestingly, the AMD chip's average is higher, but this is likely due to the different sets of benchmarks recorded for each. The Intel chip has Cinebench scores included in its average, which are not present for the AMD chip, and the PassMark scores for the Intel chip are consistently higher. The head-to-head comparison, which uses only the overlapping PassMark tests, shows Intel winning all of them.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded benchmark data, the Intel Core i7-12850HX is the superior performer in every workload category that was directly compared. The data shows no scenario where the AMD Ryzen 7 170 comes out ahead in the head-to-head tests. For any user prioritizing raw performance, especially in multi-threaded tasks, the Intel processor is the clear choice.

The AMD Ryzen 7 170, however, is not without its merits, though these are not reflected in the performance benchmarks. It is a newer part, released in 2025, and features a more modern 6 nm manufacturing process from TSMC, compared to Intel's 10 nm process. It also has a significantly lower TDP of 35 watts versus Intel's 55 watts. This suggests the AMD chip is designed for power efficiency, making it potentially better suited for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermals are a priority. The database shows the AMD chip's percentile ranking is 88, the same as the Intel chip, indicating they are both positioned in the top tier of all CPUs, but the direct comparison favors Intel.

Users who need maximum performance for demanding applications like video editing, 3D rendering, or complex simulations should choose the Intel Core i7-12850HX based on its benchmark scores. Users who prioritize a more efficient processor that generates less heat and consumes less power, and who are willing to sacrifice significant performance, might consider the AMD Ryzen 7 170. However, the performance gap is large, and the data strongly suggests that for performance-critical tasks, the Intel chip is the definitive winner.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12850HX wins in every benchmark category present in the head-to-head comparison. Its biggest wins are in prime number finding (-55.9%), physics (-50.9%), and floating-point math (-43.3%). These are workloads that are heavily multi-threaded and benefit from the Intel chip's 16 cores and 24 threads. The Intel chip's advantage is also substantial in multi-threaded performance (-32.2%) and random string sorting (-31.1%), further confirming its strength in parallel processing.

The Intel chip also wins, albeit by a smaller margin, in single-threaded performance (-15.1%), data compression (-27.3%), data encryption (-23.9%), extended instructions (-18.5%), and integer math (-26.2%). This shows that the Intel chip is not just a multi-core monster; it also has a per-core advantage in several workloads.

For the AMD Ryzen 7 170, there are no benchmark wins to highlight. The data does not provide a single category where it outperforms the Intel chip. Therefore, the "win" scenario for the AMD chip is not in performance but in its characteristics: its lower TDP of 35 watts, its more advanced 6 nm process node, and its support for DDR5 memory only. The AMD chip also has a smaller die size at 210 mm², which is a result of the denser manufacturing process.

The AMD chip's integrated graphics, the Radeon 680M, might offer different capabilities compared to Intel's UHD Graphics 770, but the database does not provide benchmark scores for these iGPUs. The AMD chip also has a newer release date, suggesting a more modern design platform.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-12850HX is significantly faster. It scores 30627 in the PassMark multi-thread test, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 scores 20760, a difference of -32.2% for the AMD chip.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 170 win in any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the Intel Core i7-12850HX winning all 11 benchmark comparisons, including single-threaded, multi-threaded, and specific workload tests like physics and floating-point math.

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

A: The Intel chip leads with a score of 3683 in the PassMark single-thread test, compared to the AMD chip's 3128. This is a -15.1% delta, indicating a noticeable, though smaller, advantage for Intel in this area.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-12850HX has 16 cores and 24 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads. This core and thread advantage is a likely reason for Intel's superior performance in multi-threaded benchmarks.

Q: Is there a difference in the manufacturing process?

A: Yes. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 is built on a 6 nm process at TSMC, while the Intel Core i7-12850HX uses a 10 nm process at Intel. This makes the AMD chip's die size smaller at 210 mm², compared to Intel's 215 mm².

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Core i7-12850HX has a TDP of 55 watts. This shows the AMD chip is designed for lower power consumption and potentially less heat output.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 uses the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt-R, and is manufactured on a 6 nm process node by TSMC. The Intel Core i7-12850HX uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically the Alder Lake-HX variant, and is built on a 10 nm process by Intel. This represents a generational and manufacturing difference, with AMD using a more advanced process node.

The cache structures also differ. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and a larger 25 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip's larger caches, especially the L3 cache, likely contribute to its performance in data-heavy workloads.

Memory support is another key difference. The AMD chip supports only DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a listed memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, also in a dual-channel configuration, but its memory bandwidth is not listed in the database. The Intel chip's support for DDR4 could offer more flexibility in system design.

The PCIe support also differs. The AMD chip supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip supports the newer PCIe Gen 5 standard, also with 20 lanes (CPU only). This gives the Intel platform access to faster I/O for compatible devices.

The integrated graphics are different as well. The AMD chip features a Radeon 680M, while the Intel chip has UHD Graphics 770. The database does not provide performance scores for these iGPUs, but they represent different capabilities.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the AMD Ryzen 7 170 and the Intel Core i7-12850HX, based on the database records.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 170 | Intel Core i7-12850HX |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 8 | 16 |

| Threads | 16 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.75 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 55 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Architecture | Zen 3+ | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Rembrandt-R | Alder Lake-HX |

| Process Node | 6 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 215 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 680M | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Release Date | 2025-09-30 | 2022-05-09 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | false | true |

| Part Number | 100-000000989 | SRLGH |

The data shows the Intel chip has more cores, threads, and a higher boost clock. The AMD chip has a higher base clock and a lower TDP. The Intel chip also has a larger L3 cache and supports an unlocked multiplier. The AMD chip is newer and uses a smaller manufacturing process.