AMD Ryzen 7 170 vs Intel Core i9-12900 Comparison

The data presents a clear performance hierarchy between the AMD Ryzen 7 170 and the Intel Core i9-12900. Across every head-to-head benchmark recorded, the Intel part secures the win, with the AMD processor trailing by margins ranging from roughly 22% to nearly 60%. The Intel Core i9-12900 is the definitive choice for users prioritizing raw compute throughput, particularly in multi-threaded and mathematically intensive workloads. The AMD Ryzen 7 170, while consistently behind, offers a distinct set of platform characteristics, including a much lower thermal design power and integrated graphics based on a different architecture. The selection between these two hinges on whether the user's priority is maximum performance across the board or a specific set of mobile-oriented features and efficiency metrics.

The Verdict

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-12900 dominates the AMD Ryzen 7 170 in every measured category. For any workload that is compute-bound, the Intel processor is the superior choice. The data shows a decisive victory for Intel in the PassMark suite, with the largest single margin being a 59.5% lead in the `passmark_find_prime_numbers` test. The Intel part also demonstrates a substantial 38.2% advantage in the `passmark_multithread` score, making it the clear pick for rendering, compilation, and other highly parallel tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 7 170, however, is not without its own rationale for selection. Its 35-watt TDP is nearly half that of the Intel's 65-watt TDP, suggesting a fundamentally different power profile. This, combined with its 6 nm process node and mobile market segment, positions it as a processor for power-conscious or space-constrained systems. The data indicates that for users who require the absolute highest level of processing power, the Intel Core i9-12900 is the only logical choice. The AMD part's appeal rests on its platform attributes rather than its competitive benchmark standing.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies and target markets. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 is built on the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt-R, and is fabricated on a 6 nm process at TSMC. It is a mobile-focused part, occupying a 210 mm² die size. In contrast, the Intel Core i9-12900 uses the Alder Lake architecture, codenamed Alder Lake-S, and is built on Intel's 10 nm process. It is a desktop-oriented processor with a slightly larger die size of 215 mm².

The core configurations differ significantly. The AMD chip features 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel chip offers 16 cores and 24 threads, a difference that directly contributes to its superior multi-threaded performance. The cache hierarchies also diverge. The AMD processor has a 16 MB shared L3 cache, while the Intel part has a larger 30 MB shared L3 cache. Per-core cache allocations also differ, with the AMD part featuring 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, compared to the Intel's 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core. The Intel processor also supports a wider range of memory types, including both DDR4 and DDR5, whereas the AMD part is specified for DDR5 only. Both support ECC memory and have a dual-channel memory bus with identical theoretical bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a picture of consistent Intel dominance, but the magnitude of the victory varies significantly by workload type. The most substantial difference is in prime number calculation, where the Intel Core i9-12900 scores 121 versus the AMD's 49, a 59.5% advantage. This suggests a major difference in integer and branch-prediction performance. A similar, though slightly less extreme, pattern appears in floating-point math, where Intel leads with a score of 91514 against AMD's 44979, a 50.9% difference.

The gap narrows in other areas but remains decisive. In the `passmark_physics` test, Intel scores 1730 versus AMD's 890, a 48.6% lead. The `passmark_multithread` score shows Intel at 33608 and AMD at 20760, a 38.2% difference. Even in single-threaded performance, where the Zen 3+ architecture is known to be competitive, Intel maintains a lead: 4003 versus 3128, a 21.9% advantage. The data for `passmark_data_compression` shows Intel at 407899 and AMD at 265920, a 34.8% lead. In `passmark_integer_math`, the scores are 127512 for Intel and 79738 for AMD, a 37.5% gap. The encryption test shows a 30.7% lead for Intel (23203 vs 16078), and the extended instructions test shows a 26.9% lead (24777 vs 18107). Finally, random string sorting shows Intel ahead with 44070 versus 27804, a 36.9% difference. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 wins zero of the eleven recorded head-to-head benchmarks.

Specification Differences

The most defining differences between these two processors are found in their core counts, power envelopes, and target platforms. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i9-12900 has 16 cores and 24 threads. The AMD part has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.75 GHz, whereas the Intel part has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The thermal design power is a stark contrast, with the AMD part rated at 35 watts and the Intel part at 65 watts.

The processors use different sockets: AMD Socket FP7 for the Ryzen 7 170 and Intel Socket 1700 for the Core i9-12900. The AMD part is a mobile processor, while the Intel part is a desktop processor. The process nodes differ, with AMD using a 6 nm process from TSMC and Intel using a 10 nm process. Integrated graphics also differ: the AMD part features a Radeon 680M, while the Intel part has a UHD Graphics 770. The AMD processor has a locked multiplier, while the Intel processor is unlocked. The AMD part offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Intel part offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The release dates are also distinct, with the Intel part coming out in early 2022 and the AMD part later in 2025.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900 is significantly faster in multi-threaded workloads. It scores 33608 in the `passmark_multithread` test, which is 38.2% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 170's score of 20760.

Q: What is the difference in their power consumption specifications?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has a TDP of 35 watts, which is considerably lower than the Intel Core i9-12900's TDP of 65 watts. This indicates the AMD processor is designed for a more power-efficient platform.

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

A: No. According to the `headToHeadBenchmarks` data, the Intel Core i9-12900 wins all 11 recorded tests. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 0 wins.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has an average benchmark score of 43689, while the Intel Core i9-12900 has an average score of 42906. Despite this, the Intel part wins all individual head-to-head tests. Both are in the 88th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What is the difference in their L3 cache sizes?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i9-12900 has a larger 30 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the key differences in their memory support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 supports DDR5 memory only. The Intel Core i9-12900 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. Both have a dual-channel memory bus and the same theoretical bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s.