AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U vs Intel Core i7-12700 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two processors into very distinct roles. The Intel Core i7-12700 is the clear winner for heavily threaded and compute-intensive workloads, taking 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U wins only two tests, but both are single-core Cinebench runs, which points to a different strength: raw per-thread speed in a specific rendering workload.

For content creation, data processing, and general multitasking, the Intel part dominates. Its wins span Cinebench multi-core, PassMark integer math, floating-point math, encryption, compression, and physics simulations. The largest margin comes in floating-point math, where the Intel chip scores 81,191 against 50,746 for the AMD, a 60% advantage. Data compression also heavily favors Intel at 375,950 versus 272,664, a 37.9% lead. These are workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth, and the Intel processor has the structural advantage there.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U, by contrast, shows its strength in single-core Cinebench R15 and R23. In R23 single-core, it scores 2,859 against Intel's 1,894, a 33.8% advantage. This is a notable result because it suggests that for lightly threaded tasks that rely on a single core's efficiency, the AMD part can be significantly faster. However, this advantage does not carry over to PassMark single-thread tests, where Intel wins by 6.1% (3,864 versus 3,641). So the AMD single-core win is specific to the Cinebench rendering engine, not a universal single-thread superiority.

The use-case split is clear: choose the Intel Core i7-12700 for multi-core productivity, number crunching, and data-heavy tasks. Choose the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U if your primary workload is single-threaded Cinebench rendering, where its efficiency core design delivers a substantial per-thread boost.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-12700 uses Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process from Intel, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U uses Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process from TSMC. The AMD chip integrates 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die, whereas the Intel die is 215 mm² with no transistor count listed in the database.

Core configurations differ significantly. The Intel part has 12 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads. This core count difference is the primary driver of the Intel multi-core wins. Cache hierarchies also differ: Intel provides 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with 25 MB shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with 16 MB shared L3. The larger Intel L3 cache likely contributes to its data compression and encryption advantages.

Memory support diverges as well. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. Both are dual-channel, but the AMD part lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a figure not recorded for Intel. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, which Intel does not. PCIe connectivity differs: Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics are another differentiator. Intel includes UHD Graphics 770, while AMD includes Radeon 780M. The market segments also differ: Intel is a desktop part on Socket 1700, while AMD is a mobile part on Socket FP7. The Intel TDP is 65 W, while the AMD TDP is 28 W, reflecting the mobile versus desktop positioning. Clock speeds show AMD with a higher boost at 5.10 GHz versus 4.90 GHz for Intel, though Intel has a lower base clock at 2.10 GHz versus 3.30 GHz for AMD.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite reveals the most interesting pattern. In multi-core tests, Intel wins all three versions. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows Intel at 3,151 versus 2,041 for AMD, a 54.4% lead. R20 multi-core shows 10,639 versus 8,506, a 25.1% lead. R23 multi-core shows 21,751 versus 20,254, a smaller 7.4% lead. The gap narrows as the workload becomes more demanding, but Intel remains ahead.

Single-core Cinebench results are split. In R15 single-core, AMD wins narrowly at 288 versus 272, a 5.6% margin. In R20 single-core, Intel wins at 1,501 versus 1,200, a 25.1% margin. In R23 single-core, AMD wins decisively at 2,859 versus 1,894, a 33.8% margin. The R23 result is the single largest win for AMD in the entire comparison.

PassMark tests heavily favor Intel. The biggest margin is floating-point math at 60% (81,191 versus 50,746). Data compression shows a 37.9% lead (375,950 versus 272,664). Find prime numbers shows a 32.9% lead (101 versus 76). Physics shows a 32.7% lead (1,558 versus 1,174). Extended instructions show a 26.4% lead (24,184 versus 19,132). Multithread shows a 26.9% lead (30,273 versus 23,850). Data encryption shows a 22.5% lead (20,143 versus 16,441). Integer math shows a 20.6% lead (106,554 versus 88,339). Random string sorting shows a 17.7% lead (38,970 versus 33,109). Even the PassMark single-thread test, which might be expected to favor AMD given its Cinebench R23 result, goes to Intel by 6.1% (3,864 versus 3,641).

The overall pattern is consistent: Intel wins nearly every test, often by double-digit margins, while AMD's only wins are in two single-core Cinebench tests, one of which (R23) is by a very large margin.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion for most users: the Intel Core i7-12700 is the stronger processor for the majority of workloads. It wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, including all multi-core tests and all PassMark tests. Its average benchmark score of 32,942 places it in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, and it sits within 0.4% of rivals like the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D and AMD Ryzen 7 8700G. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U also sits in the 83rd percentile with an average score of 32,233, but it trails Intel by roughly 2.2% in average score.

For users running multi-threaded applications, the choice is unambiguous. The Intel part leads by 54.4% in Cinebench R15 multi-core and by 60% in floating-point math. These are not marginal differences; they represent a substantial performance tier gap. The Intel processor also has more cores (12 versus 8) and more threads (20 versus 16), which directly supports its multi-core dominance.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U is not without merit. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,859 is 33.8% higher than Intel's, which is a remarkable result for a mobile processor. This suggests that for specific single-threaded rendering tasks, the AMD chip can deliver superior performance while consuming less power (28 W TDP versus 65 W). The AMD part also supports ECC memory and has a higher boost clock at 5.10 GHz.

The verdict depends on the use case. For desktop productivity, content creation, and any workload that uses multiple cores, the Intel Core i7-12700 is the data-backed choice. For a mobile platform where single-threaded Cinebench performance is the priority and power efficiency matters, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U is the better fit. The data does not support a universal recommendation for AMD, but it does carve out a specific niche where AMD wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700 has an average benchmark score of 32,942, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U has an average score of 32,233. Both are in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How much faster is the Intel processor in multi-core Cinebench R15?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700 scores 3,151 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, which is 54.4% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U's score of 2,041.

Q: In which test does the AMD processor have its largest win?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 33.8%, scoring 2,859 versus 1,894 for Intel. This is the largest margin for AMD in any test.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700 has 12 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Does the AMD processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-12700 does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-12700 has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-12700 | AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U |

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

| Cores | 12 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 4 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| 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 |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

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

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Launch MSRP | $349 | Not listed |