AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS vs Intel Core i9-12900HK Comparison

The Intel Core i9-12900HK and AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS are nearly inseparable in overall benchmark averages, with the Intel part scoring 26,469 against AMD's 26,402, a negligible 0.3% gap. Despite this statistical tie, the two processors achieve parity through radically different strengths: the Intel chip wins 14 head-to-head tests with decisive leads in physics and floating-point math, while the AMD chip counters with 9 wins, highlighted by a massive 40.4% single-core Cinebench R23 advantage. The data suggests a choice between Intel's hybrid-core versatility and AMD's efficiency-focused Zen 3+ architecture, with the verdict depending heavily on workload type.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HK edges out the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS with an average benchmark score of 26,469 compared to AMD's 26,402. This represents a 0.3% difference, placing the AMD part as a near-exact rival in the Intel's nearestRivals list.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The results are split. In 3dMark single-thread, Intel wins by 15.4% (1025 vs 888), and in PassMark single-thread Intel leads by 12.6% (3567 vs 3167). However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, AMD wins decisively by 40.4% (2805 vs 1673), and in Cinebench R15 single-core AMD leads by 14.2% (282 vs 242).

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HK has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS has 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel's higher core count contributes to wins in multithreaded tests like PassMark multithread (9.8% ahead) and Cinebench R20 multicore (7.3% ahead).

Q: Does the AMD chip include integrated graphics?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS has no integrated graphics (null value in the specifications), while the Intel Core i9-12900HK includes Iris Xe 96EU graphics. This makes the Intel part a more self-contained mobile solution.

Q: What are the architectural nodes for each processor?

A: Intel uses a 10 nm process from its own foundry, while AMD uses a 6 nm process from TSMC. The die sizes are similar, with Intel at 217 mm² and AMD at 210 mm².

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HK boosts to 5.00 GHz, compared to 4.50 GHz for the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS. Despite this, AMD wins the Cinebench R23 single-core test by 40.4%, indicating architectural efficiency matters more than raw clock speed in that benchmark.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-12900HK is built on Alder Lake architecture with a 10 nm process from Intel's own foundry, whereas the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS uses Zen 3+ (codenamed Rembrandt-R) on a 6 nm TSMC process. This process advantage for AMD (6 nm vs 10 nm) likely contributes to its efficiency, though both parts share a 45 W TDP.

Core configurations differ significantly. Intel fields 14 cores and 20 threads, a hybrid design that pairs performance and efficiency cores, while AMD offers a more conventional 8 cores and 16 threads. Cache hierarchies diverge accordingly: Intel provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and a shared 24 MB L3 cache. AMD counters with 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel's larger L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB) and larger per-core L2 (1.25 MB vs 512 KB) give it a memory subsystem advantage in certain workloads.

Memory support differs as well. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, while AMD supports only DDR5, also dual-channel. AMD specifies a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, a figure Intel does not list. AMD also supports ECC memory (true), while Intel does not (false). Both processors offer PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, but Intel's integrated Iris Xe 96EU graphics contrast with AMD's lack of integrated graphics entirely.

The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the AMD chip is locked. AMD uses Socket FP7, Intel uses BGA 1744. Intel's release date is documented as 2022-01-03, while AMD's release date is not provided.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split: choose the Intel Core i9-12900HK for maximum multithreaded throughput and integrated graphics capability, or the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS for pure single-core Cinebench performance and energy-conscious design. Intel wins 14 of 23 head-to-head tests, including dominant victories in PassMark physics (68.8% ahead, 1673 vs 991) and floating-point math (30.1% ahead, 63572 vs 48863). AMD's 9 wins include the two most dramatic single-core Cinebench results, but its overall average score is 0.3% lower.

For users prioritizing raw compute in physics simulations, integer math, or data encryption, Intel's 14-core design with 20 threads delivers. The 9.8% PassMark multithread lead (25697 vs 23393) and 7.3% Cinebench R20 multicore advantage (8958 vs 8346) confirm Intel's multicore edge. However, AMD's 8% Cinebench R23 multicore win (19873 vs 18288) shows it is competitive in modern rendering workloads.

The AMD chip's 6 nm process and 210 mm² die suggest better power efficiency, though no wattage figures are available beyond the shared 45 W TDP. The absence of integrated graphics on AMD means laptops with this chip require a discrete GPU, while Intel's Iris Xe 96EU provides a fallback. Benchmark results indicate AMD wins on encryption (6.5% ahead), data compression (4.9% ahead), and extended instructions (18.9% ahead), making it a strong choice for security and compression tasks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-12900HK | AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 14 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 3+ |

| Codename | Alder Lake-H | Rembrandt-R |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 6 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 217 mm² | 210 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 76.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe 96EU | None |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SRLD3 | 100-000001506 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-12900HK dominates the compute-heavy tests. In PassMark physics, Intel scores 1673 against AMD's 991, a 68.8% advantage that reflects the hybrid core design's strength in simulation workloads. Floating-point math follows a similar pattern: Intel posts 63572 vs AMD's 48863, a 30.1% lead. Prime number finding is Intel's largest single win at 88.9% (102 vs 54), though the absolute scores are low. Random string sorting shows Intel ahead by 3.6% (32983 vs 31827), and integer math gives Intel a 5% edge (89527 vs 85274).

Multithreaded benchmarks split between the two. Intel wins Cinebench R15 multicore by a massive 39.1% (2786 vs 2003) and Cinebench R20 multicore by 7.3% (8958 vs 8346). PassMark multithread also goes to Intel at 9.8% (25697 vs 23393). However, AMD wins Cinebench R23 multicore by 8% (19873 vs 18288) and 3dMark 16-thread by 6.9% (6915 vs 6441). In 3dMark 8-thread, AMD leads by 11% (5813 vs 5172), while 3dMark max-thread is nearly even at 1% (6900 vs 6829).

Single-core results are contradictory. Intel wins 3dMark single-thread by 15.4% (1025 vs 888) and Cinebench R20 single-core by 7.3% (1264 vs 1178). But AMD strikes back hard in Cinebench R23 single-core with a 40.4% lead (2805 vs 1673) and Cinebench R15 single-core by 14.2% (282 vs 242). PassMark single-thread favors Intel at 12.6% (3567 vs 3167).

Data-oriented tests favor AMD. Data compression goes to AMD by 4.9% (310038 vs 294908), data encryption by 6.5% (18648 vs 17445), and extended instructions by 18.9% (21690 vs 17583). These wins suggest AMD's Zen 3+ architecture handles AVX-style workloads more efficiently.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i9-12900HK wins in: physics simulation (68.8% ahead), prime number finding (88.9% ahead), floating-point math (30.1% ahead), and multithreaded rendering in Cinebench R15 (39.1% ahead) and R20 (7.3% ahead). It also leads in PassMark multithread (9.8%), integer math (5%), and 3dMark single-thread (15.4%). The integrated Iris Xe 96EU graphics make it a self-contained option for light graphics tasks without a discrete GPU. Its unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, and the larger 24 MB L3 cache supports cache-sensitive workloads.

AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS wins in: Cinebench R23 single-core (40.4% ahead) and multicore (8% ahead), extended instructions (18.9% ahead), data encryption (6.5% ahead), and data compression (4.9% ahead). It also takes 3dMark 16-thread (6.9% ahead) and 8-thread (11% ahead), suggesting better scaling at moderate thread counts. The 6 nm process node and 76.8 GB/s memory bandwidth point to a more modern memory subsystem. ECC memory support and the lack of integrated graphics make it suitable for systems with dedicated GPUs where reliability is critical. The higher base clock of 3.10 GHz versus Intel's 2.50 GHz contributes to its sustained performance in certain tests.