AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS vs Intel Core i7-12650H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-12650H and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS are both mobile processors aimed at high-performance laptops, but they deliver their performance through fundamentally different designs. Benchmark data shows a clear split: the AMD chip dominates the Cinebench suite, while the Intel part secures wins in several PassMark tests. The overall win count favors AMD, with 12 benchmark wins to Intel’s 5, though the margins vary dramatically from near-parity to over 36%.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS posts 18980 points against the Intel Core i7-12650H’s 12074. That is a 36.4% advantage for AMD. The single-core R23 result shows a similar pattern: AMD scores 2679 versus Intel’s 1763, a 34.2% lead. These are the largest deltas in the entire head-to-head set, indicating that the Zen 3+ architecture holds a substantial efficiency and IPC advantage in sustained rendering workloads.

Cinebench R20 and R15 results follow the same direction but with narrower margins. In R20 multi-core, AMD wins 7971 to 7608, a 4.6% edge. The R20 single-core test shows AMD ahead by 4.6% as well, scoring 1125 versus 1073. In R15, the multi-core gap shrinks to 3.2% (1913 vs 1851.5), and the single-core gap is 7.4% (270 vs 250). Across all six Cinebench tests, AMD wins every round, with the R23 results representing a dramatic outlier compared to the older R15 and R20 tests.

PassMark results tell a more mixed story. Intel wins passmark_find_prime_numbers by a massive 56.9% (91 vs 58), the single largest Intel victory. Intel also takes passmark_physics with a 34.3% lead (1430 vs 1065) and passmark_floating_point_math by 17.6% (54934 vs 46706). In passmark_single_thread, Intel leads 3539 to 3301, a 7.2% margin.

AMD, however, counters in other PassMark disciplines. The Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS wins passmark_data_encryption by 19.1% (17350 vs 14041), passmark_extended_instructions by 14.7% (18091 vs 15438), and passmark_integer_math by 13.8% (85459 vs 73641). Smaller AMD wins occur in passmark_data_compression (272838 vs 250026, an 8.4% edge), passmark_random_string_sorting (28693 vs 26591, a 7.3% edge), and passmark_multithread (22330 vs 21962, a 1.6% edge). The near-parity in multithread is notable given the core-count difference.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-12650H uses the Alder Lake-H architecture, built on a 10 nm process at Intel’s foundry. It packs 10 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The die size is 217 mm². Cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. Memory support covers both DDR4 and DDR5, running on a dual-channel bus. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics, and the chip uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS is a fundamentally different design. It uses the Zen 3+ architecture (codenamed Rembrandt) on a 6 nm process from TSMC. Despite having fewer cores — 8 cores and 16 threads — it matches Intel’s boost clock at 4.70 GHz while starting from a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz. The die size is 208 mm², slightly smaller than Intel’s. Cache is more modest: 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The AMD part supports only DDR5 memory, with a rated memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Integrated graphics are Radeon 680M, and the socket is AMD Socket FP7.

A critical difference lies in the process node and foundry. Intel uses its own 10 nm node, while AMD uses TSMC’s 6 nm node. This likely explains why AMD achieves higher clocks from a lower 35 W TDP, compared to Intel’s 45 W TDP. Both chips support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, and neither supports ECC memory. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both are classified as mobile parts with active production status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-12650H has 10 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS has 8 cores and 16 threads. Both support 16 threads, but Intel has two additional physical cores.

Q: Why does the AMD chip win Cinebench R23 by such a large margin despite having fewer cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS scores 18980 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus Intel’s 12074, a 36.4% difference. The AMD chip runs on TSMC’s 6 nm process with a 3.20 GHz base clock and 4.70 GHz boost, while Intel uses a 10 nm process with a 2.30 GHz base clock. The combination of a more advanced node and higher base clock gives AMD a decisive advantage in this workload.

Q: In which tests does the Intel chip beat AMD?

A: Intel wins five benchmarks: passmark_find_prime_numbers (91 vs 58, a 56.9% lead), passmark_physics (1430 vs 1065, a 34.3% lead), passmark_floating_point_math (54934 vs 46706, a 17.6% lead), and passmark_single_thread (3539 vs 3301, a 7.2% lead). These wins suggest Intel has strengths in specific math and physics workloads.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS has a rated memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. This figure is not listed for the Intel Core i7-12650H, but the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD chip supports only DDR5.

Q: How do the TDP ratings compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-12650H has a TDP of 45, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS has a TDP of 35. This 10-point difference suggests the AMD chip is more power-efficient, which aligns with its higher base clock and smaller process node.

Q: Do both processors support PCIe Gen 4?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-12650H and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-12650H | AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS |

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

| Cores | 10 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45 | 35 |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 3+ |

| Codename | Alder Lake-H | Rembrandt |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 6 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 217 mm² | 208 mm² |

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

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics | Radeon 680M |

| Part Number | SRLD0 | 100-000000542100-000000564 |

| Release Date | Not listed | 2022-04-18 |

Both chips share identical boost clocks (4.70 GHz), thread counts (16), memory bus widths (dual-channel), PCIe support (Gen 4, 20 lanes), market segment (mobile), production status (active), and lack ECC memory support.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS is the clear winner for content creation and rendering workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18980 versus Intel’s 12074 represents a 36.4% advantage that will translate directly into faster video exports, 3D rendering, and batch photo processing. AMD also wins in data compression (272838 vs 250026), data encryption (17350 vs 14041), extended instructions (18091 vs 15438), integer math (85459 vs 73641), and random string sorting (28693 vs 26591). The 1.6% lead in passmark_multithread (22330 vs 21962) further solidifies AMD’s position for heavily threaded applications. For users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering and general productivity, the Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS is the stronger choice.

The Intel Core i7-12650H wins in specific computational niches. The 56.9% lead in passmark_find_prime_numbers (91 vs 58) signals an advantage in prime-number calculation tasks, which often rely on integer-heavy algorithms. Intel’s 34.3% win in passmark_physics (1430 vs 1065) suggests better performance in physics simulation workloads. The 17.6% lead in floating-point math (54934 vs 46706) indicates Intel handles certain scientific or engineering calculations more efficiently. Finally, the 7.2% single-thread win (3539 vs 3301) means Intel has a slight edge in lightly threaded applications that depend on a single core’s performance. For users running physics simulators, specific math libraries, or older single-threaded software, the i7-12650H offers measurable advantages.

The overall benchmark record favors AMD at 12 wins versus 5 for Intel. However, the magnitude of each win matters. AMD’s Cinebench R23 margins are enormous, while Intel’s PassMark wins include one very large margin (prime numbers) and several moderate ones. The AMD chip also achieves this with a lower 35 W TDP, compared to Intel’s 45 W, and a smaller 208 mm² die on a more advanced 6 nm node. The data positions the Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS as the more balanced performer for most modern workloads, with the i7-12650H retaining a specialized niche in physics and math operations.