AMD Ryzen 7 5800 vs Intel Core i9-12900H Comparison

The Intel Core i9-12900H and AMD Ryzen 7 5800 occupy different corners of the processor market, one a mobile flagship and the other a desktop stalwart. The benchmark database shows a near-split decision: the Intel part wins 13 of the 23 recorded head-to-head tests, while the AMD part takes 10. The Intel chip excels in single-threaded latency-sensitive tasks and floating-point workloads, while the AMD chip dominates in sustained multi-core rendering and encryption. The data reveals a clear use-case division: the i9-12900H is the pick for responsiveness and math-heavy compute, the Ryzen 7 5800 for long-duration all-core loads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-12900H claims victory in all three PassMark single-thread tests, including a 9.5% lead in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread (3717 vs 3393). It also wins passmark_floating_point_math by a massive 31.7% (67940 vs 51588) and passmark_physics by an even larger 53.6% (1753 vs 1141). These results indicate the Intel part is better suited for physics simulations, floating-point calculations, and any workload that depends on quick per-core responses. The 3DMark single-thread test confirms this pattern, with a 9.1% advantage (999 vs 916).

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800 takes the multi-core crown in the Cinebench suite. Its biggest win is in cinebench_r23_multicore, where it scores 21953 against the Intel chip's 15946.5, a 27.4% margin. It also wins cinebench_r15_singlecore by 14.7% (312 vs 266) and cinebench_r23_singlecore by 39.9% (3099 vs 1863.5). The AMD part dominates 3DMark threaded tests, winning at 4, 8, and 16 threads, with the largest edge at 8 threads (5692 vs 5074, a 10.9% gap). For encryption, passmark_data_encryption shows AMD ahead by 7.4% (20021 vs 18548), and extended instructions go to AMD by 11.4% (21297 vs 18875). The Ryzen 7 5800 is the clear choice for rendering, encryption, and heavily threaded 3D workloads.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-12900H is built on Alder Lake architecture at 10 nm, produced by Intel's own foundry. It uses a hybrid design with 14 cores and 20 threads, a configuration that pairs performance cores with efficiency cores. The die size is 217 mm², and the cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and it includes integrated Iris Xe 96EU graphics. The chip is designed for the mobile segment, fitting the Intel BGA 1744 socket, and its base clock is 2.50 GHz with a boost of 5.00 GHz.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800 uses Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, on a 7 nm process from TSMC. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads, a more traditional monolithic layout. The chip has 4,150 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, which is a significantly smaller physical footprint than the Intel part. Its cache structure features 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 32 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen supports only DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode, with a rated bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, and it supports ECC memory. It has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. The socket is AMD Socket AM4, and the TDP is 65 W. The base clock is higher at 3.40 GHz, while the boost reaches 4.60 GHz. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking, unlike the Intel part which has a locked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest single win for the Intel Core i9-12900H comes in passmark_physics, where it scores 1753 against the Ryzen 7 5800's 1141, a 53.6% advantage. This is a physics simulation test that rewards high single-thread performance and low latency, and the Intel chip's hybrid architecture appears to give it a clear edge. In passmark_floating_point_math, the Intel part scores 67940 versus 51588, a 31.7% lead, which is a substantial margin for math-intensive scientific or financial workloads. The Intel chip also wins cinebench_r15_multicore by 16.5% (2576.5 vs 2212), an older render test where the 14-core Intel part outpaces the 8-core AMD chip. In passmark_multithread, Intel leads by 5.9% (27340 vs 25823), and in passmark_random_string_sorting, the margin is 7% (35296 vs 32998).

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800's largest victory is in cinebench_r23_singlecore, where it scores 3099 against the Intel chip's 1863.5, a 39.9% blowout. This is a surprising result for a single-core test, but the data is clear. In cinebench_r23_multicore, AMD wins by 27.4% (21953 vs 15946.5), indicating superior sustained all-core performance despite having fewer cores. The Ryzen also takes 3dmark_16_threads by 10.1% (7181 vs 6457) and 3dmark_8_threads by 10.9% (5692 vs 5074). In passmark_extended_instructions, AMD leads by 11.4% (21297 vs 18875), and passmark_data_encryption goes to AMD by 7.4% (20021 vs 18548). The AMD chip wins cinebench_r15_singlecore by 14.7% (312 vs 266), a result that contrasts with the Intel chip's wins in PassMark single-thread tests.

There are also near-ties. In passmark_data_compression, the Intel chip wins by just 0.1% (316714 vs 316429), and in passmark_integer_math, Intel leads by 1.1% (93828 vs 92843). The 3dmark_4_threads test goes to AMD by 1.3% (3443 vs 3398). These narrow margins suggest that for integer-heavy daily tasks, the two processors are effectively interchangeable.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ on several core specifications. The Intel Core i9-12900H has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5800 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel base clock is 2.50 GHz, lower than the AMD base clock of 3.40 GHz, but the Intel boost reaches 5.00 GHz versus the AMD boost of 4.60 GHz. The TDP differs significantly: the Intel part is rated at 45 W, while the AMD part consumes 65 W. The process nodes differ, with Intel on 10 nm and AMD on 7 nm. The Intel die size is 217 mm², while the AMD die is 74 mm². The cache configuration differs in L1 and L2: Intel has 80 KB and 1.25 MB per core, respectively, while AMD has 64 KB and 512 KB per core. The L3 cache is larger on the AMD chip, 32 MB shared versus 24 MB shared on Intel. Memory support differs: the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD chip supports only DDR4. The AMD chip has ECC memory support, which the Intel chip lacks. The Intel chip includes integrated Iris Xe 96EU graphics, while the AMD chip has none. The Intel chip is a mobile part on the BGA 1744 socket, while the AMD chip is a desktop part on the AM4 socket. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip does not. The release dates also differ, with the Intel chip launching in January 2022 and the AMD chip in January 2021.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded performance?

A: It depends on the test. The Intel Core i9-12900H wins all PassMark single-thread tests, including a 9.5% lead in passmark_single_thread (3717 vs 3393). However, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800 wins cinebench_r15_singlecore by 14.7% (312 vs 266) and cinebench_r23_singlecore by 39.9% (3099 vs 1863.5). The Intel chip wins the 3DMark single-thread test by 9.1% (999 vs 916).

Q: Which processor is better for multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800 is clearly superior in modern multi-core render tests. It wins cinebench_r23_multicore by 27.4% (21953 vs 15946.5). However, the Intel Core i9-12900H wins the older cinebench_r15_multicore by 16.5% (2576.5 vs 2212) and cinebench_r20_multicore by 3% (9501 vs 9220).

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900H has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5800 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part uses a hybrid architecture, which is reflected in its higher thread count.

Q: What is the memory support difference?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900H supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5800 supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The AMD chip has ECC memory support, which the Intel chip does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900H has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 5800's boost of 4.60 GHz. However, the AMD chip has a higher base clock at 3.40 GHz versus the Intel chip's 2.50 GHz.

Q: Which chip is more power-efficient?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900H has a lower TDP of 45 W, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5800 has a TDP of 65 W. This suggests the Intel chip is designed for mobile power constraints, whereas the AMD chip is a desktop part with a higher power envelope.