AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 vs Intel Core i9-12900 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 and Intel Core i9-12900 are closely matched overall, but they achieve parity through very different strengths. The AMD chip wins the modern Cinebench R23 workloads decisively, while the Intel chip counters with wins in legacy and math-heavy tests. Benchmark data shows the AMD processor takes 6 of 17 head-to-head tests, with the Intel processor taking 11, yet the overall average benchmark scores remain close: 43,704 for AMD versus 42,906 for Intel. Both sit at the 88th percentile against all CPUs, indicating that neither is a clear overall victor.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 leads by a massive 115.6% margin, scoring 3,935 against the Intel Core i9-12900's 1,825. This is not a small edge; it is a dominant performance gap that defines the AMD processor's single-thread capability. The multi-core R23 test also favors AMD with a 49.7% lead, scoring 27,877 versus 18,628. These two results alone suggest that the AMD chip is the better choice for modern rendering workloads that scale with both frequency and core efficiency.

However, the Intel Core i9-12900 fights back in older Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel wins by 14.9%, scoring 3,299 to AMD's 2,809. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the margin narrows to just 2.4%, with Intel at 11,994 and AMD at 11,708. The single-core R20 test also goes to Intel by 2.4% (1,693 versus 1,652), though the R15 single-core test is a clear AMD win at 51.1% (396 versus 262). This pattern suggests that Intel's hybrid architecture maintains an advantage in older benchmarks, while AMD's Zen 4 design excels in newer, more demanding tests.

In PassMark workloads, the split is more defined by task type. Intel wins floating-point math by 30.8%, scoring 91,514 against AMD's 63,332, and integer math by 19% (127,512 versus 103,330). Data compression also goes to Intel by 5.2% (407,899 versus 386,829), and data encryption by 1.6% (23,203 versus 22,821). Multi-threaded performance favors Intel by 2.6% (33,608 versus 32,733), and physics by 1.8% (1,730 versus 1,699). Single-thread PassMark also edges toward Intel by 3.8% (4,003 versus 3,849).

Conversely, AMD wins PassMark extended instructions by 17.9% (29,216 versus 24,777) and find prime numbers by 37.2% (166 versus 121). Random string sorting goes to AMD by 6.1% (46,759 versus 44,070). These wins indicate that AMD's architecture is particularly strong at certain computational patterns, such as extended instruction sets and prime number generation, while Intel dominates raw math throughput.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 is the clear winner for single-threaded application performance, as evidenced by its 115.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 51.1% lead in R15 single-core. This makes it the better choice for lightly threaded workloads such as general productivity, web browsing, and legacy software that relies on high clock speeds. The data also shows AMD winning extended instructions by 17.9% and prime number generation by 37.2%, suggesting an edge in scientific computing and cryptographic-style tasks that use those specific instruction patterns.

The Intel Core i9-12900 is the stronger option for raw computational throughput. Its 30.8% lead in floating-point math and 19% lead in integer math make it ideal for engineering simulations, financial modeling, and video encoding that depend on heavy arithmetic. The Intel chip also wins data compression by 5.2% and data encryption by 1.6%, making it suitable for database workloads and file archiving. In terms of multi-threaded PassMark, Intel's 2.6% lead (33,608 versus 32,733) indicates a slight advantage in heavily parallel tasks, though the AMD chip's Cinebench R23 multi-core win by 49.7% complicates that narrative.

For gaming and desktop use, the PassMark single-thread score slightly favors Intel (4,003 versus 3,849), but the AMD chip's massive Cinebench R23 single-core lead suggests that modern games built on newer engine versions may perform better on AMD. The Intel chip's higher core count (16 versus 8) and thread count (24 versus 16) likely contribute to its wins in integer and floating-point math, but the AMD chip's higher boost clock (5.30 GHz versus 5.10 GHz) helps explain its single-core dominance in newer benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 uses Zen 4 architecture on a 5 nm TSMC process, while the Intel Core i9-12900 uses Alder Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process. The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, whereas the Intel chip has 16 cores and 24 threads, indicating that Intel relies on a hybrid core layout to achieve its thread count. The AMD chip's die size is 71 mm² with 6,570 million transistors, while the Intel chip's die size is 215 mm² with no transistor count listed.

Cache configurations differ as well. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory with dual-channel bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, while the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, but AMD uses PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes, while Intel uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

The integrated graphics differ, with AMD featuring Radeon Graphics and Intel featuring UHD Graphics 770. The AMD chip is unlocked for overclocking? No, the multiplier is locked, while the Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD chip is classified as a Server/Workstation segment part, released on 2023-06-12, while the Intel chip is a Desktop part, released on 2022-01-03. The AMD chip's process node advantage (5 nm versus 10 nm) likely explains its efficiency and single-core performance gains, while Intel's larger die and hybrid architecture provide more raw compute resources.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 has a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i9-12900's 5.10 GHz.

Q: How do the multi-threaded PassMark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900 scores 33,608 in PassMark multi-thread, which is 2.6% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745's 32,733.

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

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 leads by 115.6%, scoring 3,935 versus 1,825.

Q: Which CPU supports more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 supports 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core i9-12900 supports 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 and Intel Core i9-12900 support ECC memory.

Q: Which chip has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, which is 2 MB more than the Intel Core i9-12900's 30 MB.

The Verdict

The data clearly indicates that the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 is the superior choice for single-threaded performance and modern rendering workloads. Its 115.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 49.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core are decisive, making it the better processor for users running current-generation software that leverages high clock speeds and efficient cores. The AMD chip also wins extended instructions and prime number generation, appealing to niche computational tasks.

The Intel Core i9-12900 is the better pick for raw mathematical throughput and legacy benchmark compatibility. Its wins in floating-point math by 30.8%, integer math by 19%, and data compression by 5.2% make it suitable for heavy number-crunching applications, database work, and file compression. The Intel chip's higher core and thread counts (16/24 versus 8/16) also give it an edge in PassMark multi-thread and physics tests, though by slim margins of 2.6% and 1.8%, respectively.

For most users, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 offers the more future-proof performance, given its dominance in Cinebench R23 and its smaller, more efficient 5 nm process. The Intel chip's 10 nm process and larger die size suggest it may draw more power and generate more heat, though the data does not provide specific wattage figures. Ultimately, the AMD chip is recommended for those prioritizing modern single-core and multi-core rendering performance, while the Intel chip is recommended for those needing maximum integer and floating-point math throughput in legacy or specialized workloads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 | Intel Core i9-12900 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 16 |

| Threads | 16 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.30 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Alder Lake |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 71 mm² | 215 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 32 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 5, 24 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2023-06-12 | 2022-01-03 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $519 |