AMD Ryzen 7 3800X vs Intel Core i7-12650H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X and Intel Core i7-12650H are designed for different arenas: one is a desktop part, the other a mobile processor. Yet, the benchmark data puts them on a collision course. The Ryzen 7 3800X wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Core i7-12650H takes 5. The overall average benchmark scores are close, with the AMD chip at 29447 and the Intel chip at 28815, placing them at the 81st and 80th percentiles of all CPUs respectively. This makes for a surprisingly competitive comparison, where the choice depends entirely on which workloads you prioritize.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X establishes a clear dominance in sustained, multi-threaded rendering workloads. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it posts a score of 19588 against the Intel chip's 12074, a massive 62.2% advantage. This lead persists across older Cinebench versions, with an 8.1% edge in R20 multicore (8226 vs 7608) and a 6.6% edge in R15 multicore (1974 vs 1851.5). The Ryzen chip also excels in data handling tasks, beating the Intel part by 21.9% in data compression (304853 vs 250026) and by 37.7% in data encryption (19337 vs 14041). It further wins in extended instructions (20037 vs 15438, a 29.8% lead), prime number finding (103 vs 91, a 13.2% lead), and random string sorting (32869 vs 26591, a 23.6% lead). The overall Passmark multithread score also favors AMD, with 23046 versus 21962, a 4.9% advantage.

The Intel Core i7-12650H, conversely, demonstrates its strength in specific math and physics workloads. Its most significant victory is in floating-point math, where it scores 54934 against the AMD chip's 39759, a 27.6% advantage. It also wins in integer math, scoring 73641 versus 67725, an 8% lead. The Intel processor takes the Passmark physics test with a score of 1430 against 1226, a 14.3% margin. Most notably, it wins the single-thread Passmark test decisively, scoring 3539 versus the Ryzen's 2712, a 23.4% advantage. This split suggests the Intel chip has a more efficient core design for lightly threaded tasks, while the AMD chip's higher core count and thread management pull ahead when all resources are engaged.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different blueprints. The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X uses the Zen 2 architecture (codenamed Matisse) and is fabricated on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a large 32 MB L3 cache. The Intel Core i7-12650H is based on the Alder Lake architecture (Alder Lake-H) and uses Intel's 10 nm process. It has 10 cores and 16 threads, with an 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip's die size is 217 mm², while the AMD chip's is 74 mm²; the database does not list a transistor count for the Intel part, but the AMD chip is listed at 3,800 million.

The platform differences are substantial. The Ryzen 7 3800X is a desktop chip for AMD Socket AM4 with a 105 W TDP and an unlocked multiplier, meaning it can be overclocked. The Core i7-12650H is a mobile chip soldered to the board via Intel BGA 1744, with a 45 W TDP and a locked multiplier. The AMD chip supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also on a dual-channel bus. The Ryzen 7 3800X offers PCIe Gen 4 with 24 lanes from the CPU, whereas the Intel part offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The Intel chip includes integrated UHD Graphics, while the AMD chip has none. Both lack ECC memory support.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking contrast is in Cinebench R23 results. The Ryzen 7 3800X scores 19588 in multicore and 2765 in singlecore, while the Core i7-12650H scores 12074 and 1763 respectively. This results in a 62.2% lead for AMD in multicore and a 56.8% lead in singlecore. This is a reversal of the Passmark single-thread results, where the Intel chip leads by 23.4% (3539 vs 2712). The divergence suggests the two benchmarks stress the silicon in different ways.

In the other Cinebench versions, AMD also leads. In R15, the Ryzen 7 3800X wins multicore with 1974 against 1851.5 (6.6% lead) and singlecore with 278 against 250 (11.2% lead). In R20, it wins multicore with 8226 against 7608 (8.1% lead) and singlecore with 1161 against 1073 (8.2% lead). Across all Cinebench tests, the Ryzen 7 3800X is consistently ahead.

The Passmark suite tells a more mixed story. AMD wins data compression (304853 vs 250026, 21.9% lead), data encryption (19337 vs 14041, 37.7% lead), extended instructions (20037 vs 15438, 29.8% lead), find prime numbers (103 vs 91, 13.2% lead), multithread (23046 vs 21962, 4.9% lead), and random string sorting (32869 vs 26591, 23.6% lead). Intel wins floating-point math (54934 vs 39759, 27.6% lead), integer math (73641 vs 67725, 8% lead), physics (1430 vs 1226, 14.3% lead), and single-thread (3539 vs 2712, 23.4% lead). The Intel chip's wins are concentrated, while the AMD chip's wins are broad.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X is significantly faster, scoring 19588 compared to the Intel Core i7-12650H's 12074, a 62.2% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-12650H win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, it wins 5 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests. These include Passmark floating-point math (54934 vs 39759), integer math (73641 vs 67725), physics (1430 vs 1226), and single-thread (3539 vs 2712).

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X has an average benchmark score of 29447, which is higher than the Intel Core i7-12650H's 28815. The AMD chip sits at the 81st percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip sits at the 80th.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i7-12650H has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Can the Intel Core i7-12650H be overclocked?

A: No, the multiplier is locked. The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X has an unlocked multiplier, so it can be overclocked.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X supports DDR4. The Intel Core i7-12650H supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split. For anyone focused on multi-threaded rendering, content creation, or data-heavy workloads, the AMD Ryzen 7 3800X is the stronger choice. Its Cinebench R23 multicore lead of 62.2% is decisive, and it also wins in data compression, encryption, and the overall Passmark multithread test. The fact that it is a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier and a 105 W TDP suggests it is meant to run at high sustained loads, which matches its benchmark profile.

The Intel Core i7-12650H, on the other hand, is the better option for workloads that depend on single-thread speed and specific math operations. Its 23.4% lead in Passmark single-thread score and its wins in floating-point and integer math point to a different strength. As a mobile processor with a 45 W TDP and integrated graphics, it is built for a laptop environment where power efficiency and burst performance matter. The benchmark data reflects this: it wins the physics test and the math tests, but falls behind in the long-duration rendering workloads. The choice is not about which chip is better overall, but which is better suited to the task and the platform you are building on.

Specification Differences

• Cores: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X has 8; Intel Core i7-12650H has 10.
• Base Clock: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X is 3.90 GHz; Intel Core i7-12650H is 2.30 GHz.
• Boost Clock: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X is 4.50 GHz; Intel Core i7-12650H is 4.70 GHz.
• TDP: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X is 105 W; Intel Core i7-12650H is 45 W.
• Socket: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X uses AMD Socket AM4; Intel Core i7-12650H uses Intel BGA 1744.
• Process Node: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X is 7 nm (TSMC); Intel Core i7-12650H is 10 nm (Intel).
• L1 Cache: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X has 64 KB per core; Intel Core i7-12650H has 80 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X has 512 KB per core; Intel Core i7-12650H has 1.25 MB per core.
• L3 Cache: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X has 32 MB; Intel Core i7-12650H has 24 MB (shared).
• Memory Support: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X supports DDR4; Intel Core i7-12650H supports DDR4 and DDR5.
• PCIe: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X offers Gen 4, 24 Lanes (CPU only); Intel Core i7-12650H offers Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only).
• Integrated Graphics: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X has none; Intel Core i7-12650H has UHD Graphics.
• Market Segment: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X is Desktop; Intel Core i7-12650H is Mobile.
• Multiplier Unlocked: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X is unlocked; Intel Core i7-12650H is locked.
• Launch MSRP: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X is $399; Intel Core i7-12650H has no listed launch MSRP.