AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U vs Intel Core i9-13900H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers an unambiguous verdict: the Intel Core i9-13900H wins all 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U. There are no recorded victories for the AMD part in any shared test. The scale of the Intel advantage varies from a modest single-thread edge to a near-doubling in prime number computation.

The largest gap appears in `passmark_find_prime_numbers`, where the Intel scores 104 against AMD's 56, a delta of 85.7%. This test is particularly sensitive to raw integer throughput and memory latency, and the result indicates the Raptor Lake architecture maintains a commanding lead in that specific workload. The second-largest margin is in `passmark_physics`, with Intel at 1745 versus AMD's 989, a 76.4% advantage. Physics simulations tend to scale with core count and per-core efficiency, both of which favor the Intel part.

Multi-core rendering tests show similarly decisive results. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Intel scores 17471 while the AMD manages 10047, a 73.9% lead. The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows a 51% delta, with Intel at 2666.5 and AMD at 1766. These are among the largest margins in the entire comparison, confirming that heavily threaded workloads are the Intel processor's strongest territory.

Floating point math also heavily favors Intel: `passmark_floating_point_math` shows 69611 versus 42999, a 61.9% delta. Data compression follows at 30.7% (326425 versus 249799), and multithread performance overall is 33.6% higher (27673 versus 20716). The Intel part leads by 22.2% in integer math (97159 versus 79479) and by 33.4% in random string sorting (35637 versus 26716).

Single-thread performance, while still favoring Intel, shows a tighter race. Cinebench R23 single-core gives Intel 1964.5 against AMD's 1501, a 30.9% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 279 versus 238, a 17.2% lead. PassMark single-thread results are closer still: 3754 versus 3234, a 16.1% delta. The pattern suggests that while Intel's peak single-core capability is higher, the per-thread advantage narrows as the workload becomes less dependent on boost clocks and more on sustained efficiency.

Data encryption shows an 18.6% Intel lead (18974 versus 15995), and extended instructions (SIMD-heavy workloads) favor Intel by 20.4% (19330 versus 16054). These results indicate that Intel's advantage persists across cryptography and vectorized code, not just in rendering or physics.

Notably, the AMD processor does not win a single recorded benchmark. The closest margins are in single-thread tests, where the AMD part trails by roughly 16%, while the widest margins exceed 70%. The database's head-to-head record is therefore one-sided: 15 wins for Intel, 0 for AMD.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i9-13900H uses Raptor Lake architecture, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process, with a die size of 257 mm². The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U uses Zen 3+ (Rembrandt), built on TSMC's 6 nm node, with a die size of 208 mm². The smaller process node gives AMD a density advantage, but the Intel part compensates with a larger physical die and a hybrid core arrangement.

Core counts differ substantially. Intel fields 14 cores and 20 threads, while AMD offers 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part's extra 6 threads come from its hybrid design, which combines performance and efficiency cores. AMD's Rembrandt design uses a conventional homogeneous core layout. This core count difference is the primary driver of the multicore benchmark gaps.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel's L3 cache is 50% larger, which helps in workloads with large working sets. AMD's smaller per-core L2 is notable, though the 6 nm process and Zen 3+ efficiency partially mitigate the impact.

Clock speeds reveal the tradeoff. Intel's base clock is 2.60 GHz with a boost of 5.40 GHz, while AMD runs at 2.70 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. Intel's boost clock is 0.70 GHz higher, which explains its single-thread advantage. AMD's base clock is slightly higher, but the Intel part's thermal headroom at 45 W TDP versus AMD's 15 W TDP allows for sustained higher frequencies under load.

Memory support differs as well. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while Intel does not have a recorded bandwidth figure in the database. ECC memory is not supported by either part.

PCIe connectivity favors AMD in lane count but Intel in generation. AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while Intel offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The newer PCIe generation on the Intel side provides higher per-lane bandwidth, though AMD's greater lane count allows for more simultaneous devices.

Integrated graphics differ significantly. Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while AMD uses Radeon 680M. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so a direct comparison cannot be made, but the architectural difference is clear.

The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $617. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. Both are active mobile processors with locked multipliers, meaning no overclocking support. Intel's part number is SRMJ4, while AMD's is 100-000000538100-000000550.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-13900H wins in every recorded category, but the degree of dominance varies by workload type. The largest advantages appear in multi-threaded, compute-heavy tasks. Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 73.9% lead, and Cinebench R15 multicore shows 51%. Physics simulation, which scales well with core count, shows a 76.4% delta. Prime number finding, which is highly sensitive to integer performance and cache behavior, shows an 85.7% delta. These are the workloads where the Intel part's 14 cores and 20 threads overwhelm AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads.

The Intel part also wins decisively in floating point math, with a 61.9% delta, and in multithread workloads generally, with a 33.6% delta. Data compression (30.7%), random string sorting (33.4%), and integer math (22.2%) all favor Intel by comfortable margins. These results indicate that the Intel processor is the stronger choice for content creation, scientific computing, and any workload that can utilize more than 8 cores.

Single-thread performance is where the AMD part comes closest. PassMark single-thread shows a 16.1% delta, and Cinebench R15 single-core shows 17.2%. While Intel still wins, the narrower margin suggests that AMD's Zen 3+ architecture is competitive in lightly threaded tasks. For everyday responsiveness, web browsing, and office applications, the difference would be less noticeable.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U has no recorded benchmark wins, but its architecture suggests strengths that the data does not directly measure. Its 15 W TDP, versus Intel's 45 W, indicates significantly lower power consumption. The database does not include battery life or thermal measurements, so these remain qualitative observations. The AMD part also uses a smaller 6 nm process, which typically translates to better efficiency per watt.

For users prioritizing raw performance, the Intel part is the clear choice. For users prioritizing efficiency and portability, the AMD part's lower TDP is a meaningful advantage, even if the benchmark data does not capture it directly.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900H wins all multi-core benchmarks. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 17471 versus 10047, a 73.9% delta. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 2666.5 versus 1766, a 51% delta. PassMark multithread shows 27673 versus 20716, a 33.6% delta.

Q: How close is single-thread performance?

A: The Intel part wins all single-thread tests, but by smaller margins. PassMark single-thread shows 3754 versus 3234, a 16.1% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 279 versus 238, a 17.2% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1964.5 versus 1501, a 30.9% delta.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest recorded delta is in `passmark_find_prime_numbers`, where Intel scores 104 against AMD's 56, an 85.7% advantage. The second largest is `passmark_physics` at 76.4% (1745 versus 989).

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark?

A: No. The database records 15 head-to-head benchmarks, and the Intel Core i9-13900H wins all 15. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U has zero recorded wins.

Q: How do the processors compare in memory support?

A: Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while Intel has no recorded bandwidth figure.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900H has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U has 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel also has a larger L3 cache at 24 MB versus AMD's 16 MB.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-13900H | AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U |

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

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Zen 3+ |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-H | Rembrandt |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 6 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 208 mm² |

| Cores | 14 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 15 W |

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

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | Radeon 680M |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2022-04-18 |

| Launch MSRP | $617 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRMJ4 | 100-000000538100-000000550 |

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the Intel Core i9-13900H is the superior performer in every benchmark the database records. With 15 wins and 0 losses, the Intel part delivers anywhere from 16.1% to 85.7% higher scores depending on the workload. Its 14 cores, 20 threads, 5.40 GHz boost clock, and 24 MB L3 cache provide a decisive advantage in multi-threaded tasks, while its higher boost clock also secures single-thread victories.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U does not win a single recorded test. Its 8 cores, 16 threads, 4.70 GHz boost clock, and 16 MB L3 cache place it behind in every measurable category. However, its 15 W TDP versus Intel's 45 W indicates substantially lower power draw, and its 6 nm TSMC process suggests better efficiency. The database does not measure battery life or thermals, so these remain qualitative factors.

Buyers who prioritize raw performance should choose the Intel Core i9-13900H. It leads in rendering, physics, data compression, encryption, and every single-thread test. Buyers who prioritize efficiency, longer battery life, and quieter operation may prefer the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U, despite its benchmark deficits. The Intel part's launch MSRP of $617 reflects its performance position, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

The verdict is straightforward: for maximum performance, Intel wins. For maximum efficiency, AMD's lower TDP is the only recorded advantage, and it does not translate into any benchmark victory.