AMD Ryzen 7 8840U vs Intel Core i5-12450HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive picture: the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U wins 14 of the 15 direct comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-12450HX takes only a single victory. That lone Intel win is significant, but the overall trend is unmistakable.

Starting with the Intel win, the i5-12450HX posts a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2119 against the Ryzen 7 8840U's 1703. That is a 24.4% advantage for Intel in this specific test. It is a meaningful lead for lightly threaded workloads that depend on a single core's performance.

Every other head-to-head benchmark favors AMD, often by substantial margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 7 8840U scores 2024 versus 1512 for the Intel part, a 25.3% deficit for Intel. The R15 single-core test shows AMD ahead by 19.9%, with scores of 266 and 213 respectively. In the more demanding Cinebench R23 multicore test, AMD leads with 12972 against 11390, a 12.2% gap.

The PassMark suite reinforces AMD's dominance. Integer math shows the largest differential: AMD scores 85740 versus Intel's 57189, a 33.3% advantage. Prime number finding is also a clear AMD win, 78 versus 54, a 30.8% gap. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 27.5% (32158 against 23306). Extended instructions favor AMD by 25.8% (18654 versus 13832). Data encryption is an AMD win by 24.7% (16072 versus 12110). Data compression follows at 17.9% in AMD's favor (267525 versus 219707).

Multithreaded performance in PassMark shows AMD ahead by 21.7%, with scores of 23346 and 18274. Floating point math is closer, AMD winning by 11.7% (48820 versus 43126). Physics tests show a narrower margin, AMD ahead by 7.7% (1176 versus 1086). Even the single-thread PassMark tests, which often favor Intel's architecture, go to AMD by 5.7% (3543 versus 3340). The data is consistent: the Ryzen 7 8840U is faster across nearly every measured workload.

The Verdict

The verdict is straightforward based on the recorded measurements. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840U is the faster processor in the overwhelming majority of tests. It should be the default choice for users who prioritize raw performance in multi-threaded applications, content creation, scientific computing, and general productivity tasks. The data shows a 21.7% lead in PassMark multithread and a 12.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore, both of which translate to real-world gains in rendering, compiling, and batch processing.

The Intel Core i5-12450HX has one specific strength: Cinebench R23 single-core performance, where it leads by 24.4%. This matters for older software or specific single-threaded workloads that rely heavily on that benchmark's characteristics. However, in the PassMark single-thread tests, AMD actually leads by 5.7%, which complicates the picture. If a user's primary application is heavily dependent on Cinebench R23 single-core performance, the Intel part has a quantifiable advantage. For everything else, the Ryzen 7 8840U is the stronger pick.

The overall database percentiles are close, with Intel at the 77th percentile and AMD at the 76th percentile among all CPUs. The average benchmark scores are also near each other: 24576 for Intel versus 23982 for AMD. These aggregate metrics obscure the head-to-head results, so buyers should focus on the specific workload comparisons rather than the overall averages.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840U scores 12972 versus 11390 for the Intel Core i5-12450HX, a 12.2% advantage for AMD.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-12450HX wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 2119 against AMD's 1703, a 24.4% lead.

Q: How large is the gap in integer math performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840U scores 85740 in PassMark integer math, which is 33.3% higher than Intel's 57189.

Q: What about single-thread PassMark scores?

A: AMD leads here as well, with 3543 versus 3340, a 5.7% advantage for the Ryzen 7 8840U.

Q: Which CPU has a higher overall benchmark average?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450HX has an average benchmark score of 24576, slightly above AMD's 23982. However, Intel's percentile is 77 versus AMD's 76.

Q: Are there any tests where the margin is small?

A: The closest result is PassMark physics, where AMD leads by only 7.7% (1176 versus 1086). The single-thread PassMark tests are also relatively close at 5.7%.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Intel Core i5-12450HX has 8 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U has 8 cores and 16 threads. AMD therefore offers 4 additional threads for parallel workloads.

Clock speeds differ significantly. The Intel part has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The AMD part runs at a 3.30 GHz base clock and boosts to 5.10 GHz. AMD's higher clocks contribute to its performance advantage.

Thermal design power is another major difference. The Intel i5-12450HX has a 55W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U is rated at 28W. This means AMD achieves higher performance with a lower power envelope, which is notable for mobile systems.

Memory support varies. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. AMD supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but the database lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s for AMD, while Intel's bandwidth is not recorded.

PCIe generations differ. Intel uses Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, while AMD uses Gen 4 with the same 20 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics are also different: Intel has UHD Graphics 710, while AMD has Radeon 780M.

The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, while AMD's is locked. Intel's launch MSRP is $284; AMD's is not recorded. Release dates also differ, with Intel launching in 2022 and AMD in 2023.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is fundamental. The Intel Core i5-12450HX is built on Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-HX, using a 10 nm process from Intel's own foundry. The die size is 215 mm². This is Intel's hybrid architecture generation, though the database does not detail the core type split for this specific part.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840U uses Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It has 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The smaller, denser process node gives AMD a manufacturing advantage.

Cache hierarchies differ. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD offers 64 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a larger 16 MB shared L3 cache. AMD's larger L3 pool helps with data-heavy workloads.

Neither processor supports ECC memory. Socket types are incompatible: Intel uses BGA 1964, while AMD uses Socket FP8. The AMD part has three recorded part numbers, reflecting different socket variants (FP7r2, FP7, FP8), while Intel has a single part number.

Production status is active for both, and both target the mobile market segment. The architectural differences explain much of the benchmark gap: AMD's newer 4 nm process, higher clocks, and larger L3 cache give it a consistent edge in the recorded tests.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840U wins in nearly every use case represented by the benchmark suite. For multi-threaded productivity, content creation, and compilation work, the data shows clear AMD advantages. Cinebench R23 multicore favors AMD by 12.2%, and PassMark multithread favors AMD by 21.7%. Integer math, floating point math, encryption, compression, and string sorting all go to AMD with margins ranging from 11.7% to 33.3%. For users running heavily threaded workloads, the Ryzen 7 8840U is the obvious choice.

The Intel Core i5-12450HX wins specifically in Cinebench R23 single-core performance, with a 24.4% lead. This makes it the pick for workloads that are exclusively dependent on that benchmark's single-thread characteristics. However, the PassMark single-thread tests show AMD ahead by 5.7%, so Intel's advantage is not universal across all single-threaded applications. Users whose software is specifically optimized for Cinebench R23 single-thread performance, or similar workloads, may prefer the Intel part.

For power-sensitive mobile designs, the AMD part's 28W TDP versus Intel's 55W TDP is a significant differentiator. AMD delivers higher performance at roughly half the power envelope, which matters for battery life and thermal management in thin laptops. The database does not include battery or thermal measurements, but the TDP figures are recorded and favor AMD.

In summary, the data supports AMD for almost all workloads, with Intel holding a narrow but real niche in Cinebench R23 single-core performance. Buyers should match their primary applications against these benchmark results to make the final call.