AMD Ryzen 7 260 vs Intel Core i7-12850HX Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data splits these two mobile processors into distinct roles. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 wins 8 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i7-12850HX takes 7. That near-even split hides a clear thematic division: AMD dominates in Cinebench rendering workloads and several single-threaded PassMark tests, while Intel leads in heavy math, encryption, and physics simulations.

The Ryzen 7 260 wins every Cinebench test in the comparison. Its largest margin comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it leads by 6.1%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core it is 5.6% ahead, and in Cinebench R15 multi-core it is 2.6% ahead. The single-core Cinebench R23 result shows a 2.9% advantage. These results point to a processor that handles both lightly threaded and fully threaded rendering work with consistent superiority.

The Intel part answers in PassMark's compute-oriented tests. Its biggest win is in PassMark physics, where it is 32.8% ahead. PassMark find prime numbers shows a 30.6% lead for Intel, and floating point math is 25.1% in Intel's favor. Integer math follows at 10.5%, and the PassMark multi-thread score is 8.3% higher on Intel. Data encryption and data compression also favor Intel, at 4% and 3.9% respectively.

AMD reclaims ground in extended instructions, where it is 19.4% ahead, and in random string sorting, where it leads by 5.1%. The single-thread PassMark result is close, with AMD ahead by 1.4%. This pattern suggests the AMD processor is the better choice for rendering and general single-thread responsiveness, while the Intel processor excels at sustained numeric workloads that can use its higher core and thread count.

Architecture Differences

The two chips take fundamentally different design paths. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 uses Zen 4 architecture on the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i7-12850HX uses Alder Lake architecture on the Alder Lake-HX codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. This process gap is central to why the AMD chip achieves higher clock speeds at a lower power envelope.

Core counts differ sharply. The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel chip has 16 cores and 24 threads. Intel's hybrid design uses its larger core count to win multi-threaded PassMark tests. The AMD chip compensates with higher clocks: 3.80 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost versus Intel's 2.10 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. Despite the Intel part having double the cores, AMD still wins Cinebench R23 multi-core, which suggests the Zen 4 cores are substantially more efficient per thread.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 25 MB of shared L3. Intel's larger caches align with its greater core count, but the AMD chip's smaller shared L3 does not hold it back in the rendering tests.

Memory support separates them further. AMD supports only DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory, though no bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. Intel also supports ECC memory, while AMD does not. PCIe generations differ as well: AMD uses Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

The integrated graphics differ: AMD pairs the Radeon 780M, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $428, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD part. Intel's multiplier is unlocked, while AMD's is not. The Intel chip has a 55 TDP versus AMD's 45 TDP, which helps explain why Intel can sustain its larger core count in mobile workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-12850HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 260 has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 scores 17211.5 versus Intel's 16301.5, a 5.6% advantage for AMD.

Q: What is the single largest benchmark margin in the comparison?

A: Intel's 32.8% lead in PassMark physics is the largest delta recorded, followed by Intel's 30.6% lead in PassMark find prime numbers.

Q: Do both processors support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR5, but the Intel Core i7-12850HX also supports DDR4, while the AMD Ryzen 7 260 supports only DDR5.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 boosts to 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-12850HX boosts to 4.80 GHz.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-12850HX supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 does not.

Specification Differences

The database records several fields where the two processors differ directly:

• Cores: AMD 8, Intel 16
• Threads: AMD 16, Intel 24
• Base clock: AMD 3.80 GHz, Intel 2.10 GHz
• Boost clock: AMD 5.10 GHz, Intel 4.80 GHz
• TDP: AMD 45, Intel 55
• Socket: AMD Socket FP8, Intel BGA 1964
• Architecture: Zen 4, Alder Lake
• Process node: 4 nm, 10 nm
• Foundry: TSMC, Intel
• Die size: 178 mm², 215 mm²
• Transistors: 25,000 million, not recorded
• 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 only, DDR4 and DDR5
• Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s, not recorded
• ECC memory: No, Yes
• PCIe: Gen 4 with 20 lanes, Gen 5 with 20 lanes
• Integrated graphics: Radeon 780M, UHD Graphics 770
• Multiplier unlocked: No, Yes
• Launch MSRP: Not recorded, $428
• Release date: 2025-01-05, 2022-05-09

The Intel chip draws more power, uses more die area, and comes from an older process node. The AMD chip is smaller, newer, and more power-efficient on paper, which aligns with its higher clock speeds despite the lower TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results all go to AMD. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 2747.5 against Intel's 2679, a 2.6% margin. Cinebench R15 single-core is more decisive: 276.5 versus 260.5, a 6.1% advantage. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows AMD at 17211.5 versus Intel's 16301.5, a 5.6% win. Cinebench R23 single-core is closer at 1770.5 versus 1720.5, a 2.9% margin. These four wins establish AMD as the stronger rendering processor in both single-thread and multi-thread workloads.

PassMark tests split more dramatically. Intel wins data compression 365829 to 351517, a 3.9% margin. Data encryption goes to Intel 21120 to 20267, a 4% margin. The largest Intel wins come in physics: 1813 versus 1218, a 32.8% gap. Find prime numbers shows Intel at 111 versus AMD's 77, a 30.6% gap. Floating point math goes to Intel 79337 versus 59462, a 25.1% margin. Integer math favors Intel 108076 versus 96737, a 10.5% margin. Intel's PassMark multi-thread score is 30627 versus AMD's 28078, an 8.3% margin.

AMD wins the remaining PassMark tests. Extended instructions go to AMD 26544 versus 22227, a 19.4% margin. Random string sorting goes to AMD 42383 versus 40327, a 5.1% margin. Single-thread PassMark is nearly tied: 3736 versus 3683, a 1.4% margin for AMD. The same 1.4% appears in the duplicate singlethread entry, confirming the result.

The data shows a clear pattern: AMD wins every rendering benchmark and the instruction-heavy PassMark test, while Intel wins every raw arithmetic and physics test. The average benchmark score reflects this split, with AMD at 43717 and Intel at 41779. Both chips sit at the 88th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same overall performance tier despite their different strengths.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward recommendation. Choose the AMD Ryzen 7 260 if the workload centers on Cinebench-style rendering, extended instruction processing, or single-thread responsiveness. It wins all four Cinebench tests, leads by 19.4% in extended instructions, and holds a 1.4% edge in PassMark single-thread. Its lower TDP of 45 also makes it the more power-conscious option on paper.

Choose the Intel Core i7-12850HX if the workload involves physics simulation, prime number calculations, floating point math, or data encryption. It leads by 32.8% in physics, 30.6% in find prime numbers, 25.1% in floating point math, and 10.5% in integer math. Its 16-core, 24-thread configuration drives an 8.3% PassMark multi-thread advantage and an 8.3% lead in the overall PassMark multi-thread score.

For users who need ECC memory support, Intel is the only option. For users who want a smaller die, a newer process node, or a higher boost clock, AMD is the only option. The Intel chip carries a launch MSRP of $428, while the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors sit at the same 88th percentile, so the choice comes down to workload rather than overall tier. The AMD chip wins in rendering and efficiency, the Intel chip wins in raw compute and core count.