AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS vs Intel Core i7-12800HX Comparison

The Intel Core i7-12800HX and AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS are both mobile processors aimed at high-performance laptops, yet their benchmark profiles could not be more different. The data reveals a clear split: the Intel chip is a multi-threaded powerhouse, while the AMD chip offers a more modest, efficient package. With the Intel part winning 14 of 15 head-to-head comparisons, the question is not whether it is faster, but where the AMD chip's single victory and lower power envelope make it the more sensible choice.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12800HX is the undisputed champion of heavily threaded workloads. Its wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (22,456 vs 13,082) and PassMark multi-thread (31,585 vs 24,990) demonstrate a massive advantage for rendering, video encoding, and scientific computing. The 71.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is not a marginal gain; it is a generational leap in performance for any task that can utilize more than eight cores. The Intel chip also dominates in floating-point math (82,122 vs 52,582) by 56.2%, which is critical for physics simulations and financial modeling, and in physics tests (1,743 vs 1,149) with a 51.7% advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS, however, wins exactly one benchmark: Cinebench R15 single-core, with a score of 270 versus 260 for Intel, a 3.7% margin. This is a narrow victory, but it indicates that for older software that relies on a single thread and for certain legacy applications, the AMD chip has a slight edge. The AMD part also shows strength in its efficiency-oriented design, with a 28W TDP compared to Intel's 55W, which implies longer battery life in real-world usage, though the benchmark data does not directly measure power consumption. The data suggests the AMD chip is for users who prioritize mobility and acceptable performance, while the Intel chip is for those who need maximum compute throughput.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different philosophies and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core i7-12800HX uses the Alder Lake-HX architecture, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process, and features a hybrid design with 16 cores and 24 threads. This is a high-power, high-core-count part designed to be dropped into large gaming laptops and mobile workstations. Its cache hierarchy is substantial, with 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a 25 MB shared L3 cache. It also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, providing flexibility for system builders, and includes UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS is a Zen 4 part, built on TSMC's 4 nm process, and is codenamed Hawk Point. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, which is exactly half the core count of the Intel chip. Its cache is smaller, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip supports only DDR5 memory, but it has a higher rated memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a spec not listed for the Intel part. It also features the more powerful Radeon 780M integrated graphics, which is a key differentiator for gaming on the iGPU. The AMD chip is not multiplier unlocked, while the Intel part is, suggesting the Intel chip is intended for overclocking enthusiasts, despite its mobile form factor.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results paint a stark picture of performance disparity. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 3,383 versus 2,045 for AMD, a 65.4% lead. This gap widens in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where Intel's 22,456 beats AMD's 13,082 by 71.7%. The Intel chip's advantage in PassMark integer math is 21.7% (109,968 vs 90,382), and in data compression it is 32.3% (387,535 vs 292,888). The Intel part also leads in data encryption by 24.5% (21,972 vs 17,650) and in prime number finding by 36.7% (108 vs 79).

The single-core results are closer, but Intel still edges out AMD in most tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 1,812 versus 1,737 for AMD, a 4.3% lead. In PassMark single-thread, Intel scores 3,711 versus 3,626, a 2.3% lead. The only AMD win is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the 270 score beats Intel's 260 by 3.7%. This suggests that the AMD chip has a slight advantage in lightly threaded, older workloads, but the Intel chip is generally faster even in single-threaded tasks, just by a smaller margin. The data shows a pattern: the more cores a workload can use, the larger the Intel lead becomes.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous for performance. The Intel Core i7-12800HX is the superior processor for any task that can leverage its 24 threads. With a 71.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 56.2% lead in floating-point math, it is the clear choice for content creators, engineers, and data scientists who need maximum rendering and simulation throughput. Its 84th percentile ranking among all CPUs, matching the AMD part, is misleading; the average benchmark score of 33,875 for Intel versus 33,667 for AMD is nearly identical, but this is because the Intel chip's high multi-core scores are balanced by its slightly lower single-core scores in some tests.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS is the better choice for a different use case. Its single-core win in Cinebench R15 and its 28W TDP suggest it is more efficient and better suited for thin-and-light laptops where battery life is paramount. For users who primarily run office applications, browse the web, and occasionally do light creative work, the AMD chip is more than adequate. The 4 nm process node and Radeon 780M integrated graphics make it a compelling option for a portable machine with decent gaming capability on the iGPU. The Intel chip, with its 55W TDP and 10 nm process, is a power-hungry beast that belongs in a desktop-replacement chassis. The data shows a clear trade-off: maximum performance versus efficiency and portability.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster for multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800HX is significantly faster. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 22,456 versus 13,082 for the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS, a 71.7% lead.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the AMD chip wins exactly one head-to-head test: Cinebench R15 single-core, scoring 270 versus 260 for Intel, a 3.7% advantage.

Q: How do their core counts compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part has twice the core count.

Q: What is the difference in their manufacturing processes?

A: The Intel chip is built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the AMD chip is built on TSMC's 4 nm process. The AMD process is more advanced, which contributes to its lower 28W TDP versus Intel's 55W.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS features the Radeon 780M, while the Intel Core i7-12800HX has UHD Graphics 770. The data does not include iGPU benchmarks, but the Radeon 780M is generally considered a more capable integrated solution.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip supports only DDR5. The AMD chip has a listed memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, which is not specified for the Intel part.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

| Specification | Intel Core i7-12800HX | AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 16 | 8 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2000.00 MHz | 3300.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1964 | AMD Socket FP8 |

| Architecture/Codename | Alder Lake / Alder Lake-HX | Zen 4 / Hawk Point |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 25,000 million |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 178 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 25 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Radeon 780M |

| Release Date | 2022-05-09 | 2023-12-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $457 | Not listed |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SRLGL | 100-000001372(FP7r2)100-000001379(FP7)100-000001357(FP8) |