AMD Ryzen 7 4700G vs Intel Core i9-12900TE Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i9-12900TE is the pick if you need maximum multi-core throughput in a low-power envelope. It wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, with a 2% to 2.1% lead across all Cinebench tests. That is a narrow but consistent margin, and it comes with 16 cores and 24 threads versus 8 cores and 16 threads on the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G is not a bad option, but the data shows it loses every recorded benchmark. Its average benchmark score is 4949, putting it in the 59th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel part scores 5050 on average, which lands in the 60th percentile. If you already own an AM4 motherboard and want a 65W part with Radeon Vega 8 graphics, the 4700G remains relevant, but for pure compute performance the Intel chip is ahead.

The i9-12900TE also brings a launch MSRP of $494. The 4700G has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. Do not read this as a value statement, it is simply a recorded fact.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-12900TE uses the Alder Lake-S architecture on a 10 nm process from Intel. It is a 16-core, 24-thread part with a hybrid design, though the database does not break down P-core versus E-core counts. Its base clock is 1100 MHz with a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The L1 cache is 80 KB per core, L2 is 1.25 MB per core, and L3 is 30 MB shared. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. PCIe support is Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G is a Zen 2 part, codename Renoir, built on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clock is 3.60 GHz with a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core, L2 is 512 KB per core, and L3 is 8 MB total. It only supports DDR4 memory, dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8.

The die size differs: the Intel chip is 215 mm², while the AMD chip is 156 mm². The AMD part has 9,800 million transistors, a figure not recorded for Intel. Both have unlocked multipliers, but they sit on different sockets: Intel Socket 1700 versus AMD Socket AM4. Neither supports ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-12900TE wins every recorded benchmark. That is the headline. It takes all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with single-core margins of 2.1% and multi-core margins of 2%. The Intel part also has a higher average benchmark score (5050 versus 4949) and a higher percentile ranking (60th versus 59th).

The 4700G wins nowhere in the recorded tests. However, it does have advantages in the specification sheet that matter for certain builds. It draws a higher TDP of 65W versus 35W on the Intel part, which suggests it is not a low-power part but rather a standard desktop chip. Its memory bandwidth figure is explicitly recorded at 51.2 GB/s, which is a concrete specification the Intel part lacks in the database. The 4700G also has a smaller die and a 7 nm process, which historically suggests better efficiency per transistor, though the database does not provide power efficiency scores.

For real-world use, the 4700G is the safer choice for AM4 owners who want a drop-in upgrade with integrated Radeon graphics. The i9-12900TE is the better choice for anyone building on LGA 1700 who wants the highest recorded multi-core scores in a 35W package, likely for a compact or low-noise system.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900TE has 16 cores and 24 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel part boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the AMD part boosts to 4.40 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel chip support DDR5?

A: Yes, the i9-12900TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Ryzen 7 4700G supports only DDR4.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the AMD chip?

A: The Ryzen 7 4700G has 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The database does not list a bandwidth figure for the Intel chip.

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The i9-12900TE has an average benchmark score of 5050, compared to 4949 for the 4700G. The Intel part sits in the 60th percentile, the AMD part in the 59th.

Q: Are both CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, the database lists both as having an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-12900TE wins all six recorded Cinebench tests. The margins are small but consistent.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel part scores 1759 versus 1724 for AMD, a 2% lead. In single-core, the Intel part scores 248 versus 243, a 2.1% lead. These are not large gaps, but the Intel part is ahead in every case.

Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern. Multi-core: 7333 versus 7186, a 2% win for Intel. Single-core: 1035 versus 1014, a 2.1% win for Intel.

Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 17461 versus 17111, again a 2% delta. Single-core: 2465 versus 2415, a 2.1% delta.

The biggest percentage wins are all on the single-core side, where Intel leads by 2.1% in every R15, R20, and R23 test. The multi-core wins are all exactly 2%. This suggests the Intel part has a slight per-thread advantage that carries over to all workloads.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this. The i9-12900TE averages 5050 across all recorded tests, while the 4700G averages 4949. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the Intel Core i9-9820X at a 0% delta and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE at -0.4%. The 4700G's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon W-1290 at a 0.3% delta and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C48 at -0.4%.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ on nearly every core specification.

Cores and threads: Intel has 16 cores and 24 threads. AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Clocks: Intel base is 1100 MHz, boost is 4.80 GHz. AMD base is 3.60 GHz, boost is 4.40 GHz. The Intel part has a much lower base clock but a higher boost clock.

TDP: Intel is rated at 35W. AMD is rated at 65W.

Process node: Intel uses 10 nm from its own foundry. AMD uses 7 nm from TSMC.

Die size: Intel is 215 mm². AMD is 156 mm². Transistors: AMD lists 9,800 million, Intel has no recorded figure.

Cache: Intel L1 is 80 KB per core, L2 is 1.25 MB per core, L3 is 30 MB shared. AMD L1 is 64 KB per core, L2 is 512 KB per core, L3 is 8 MB total. The Intel part has substantially more L3 cache.

Memory: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. AMD supports only DDR4. Both are dual-channel. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s; Intel has no recorded bandwidth figure.

PCIe: Intel is Gen 5 with 20 lanes. AMD is Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

Integrated graphics: Intel has UHD Graphics 770. AMD has Radeon Vega 8.

Socket: Intel uses Socket 1700. AMD uses Socket AM4.

Release date: Intel released on 2022-01-03. AMD released on 2020-07-20. Both are marked as Active in production.

Both have unlocked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory.