AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT vs Intel Core i5-13450HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive overall victory for the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT, which wins 14 of the 17 shared benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core i5-13450HX takes only 3 wins, but those wins are concentrated in specific workload types where its architecture holds an edge.

The most lopsided result is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT scores 3909 against the Intel's 1746, a 55.3% advantage. That is not a small gap; it is a generational difference in single-thread efficiency. The Cinebench R20 single-core test tells a similar story: AMD leads 1641 to 1232, a 24.9% margin. Even in Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD part wins 393 to 248, a 36.9% gap. These results indicate that the Zen 2 architecture in the 3900XT delivers far stronger per-thread performance than the Raptor Lake mobile chip in this comparison.

Multi-core results follow the same pattern, though the margins vary. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT scores 27688 versus 16797 for the Intel, a 39.3% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 24.9% advantage for AMD (11628 vs 8728), and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 10.3% lead (2790 vs 2503). The 12-core, 24-thread configuration of the AMD chip simply outmuscles the 10-core, 16-thread Intel part in heavily threaded rendering workloads.

PassMark tests reinforce the AMD dominance in most areas. Data compression goes to AMD by 32.4% (452328 vs 305990). Data encryption favors AMD by 41.9% (28634 vs 16632). Extended instructions see AMD ahead by 33.2% (28586 vs 19083). Prime number finding is the largest single delta: AMD scores 214 versus Intel's 83, a 61.2% advantage. Integer math goes AMD's way by 16.6% (99722 vs 83209). Random string sorting favors AMD by 33.9% (48327 vs 31940). The PassMark multi-thread score shows AMD leading 32575 to 25084, a 23% margin, and the physics test goes AMD's way by 15.3% (1776 vs 1504).

The Intel Core i5-13450HX does have its moments. In PassMark single-thread, it wins 3553 to 2742, a 29.6% advantage over the AMD chip. That is a notable reversal given the Cinebench single-core results, and it suggests the Intel architecture handles certain single-threaded PassMark workloads better than the AMD part. The Intel chip also wins floating-point math, scoring 61776 against AMD's 58513, a 5.6% margin. Those are the only three wins for Intel, and two of them are single-threaded or FPU-specific.

Looking at the broader database context, both chips sit at the 84th percentile among all CPUs. The Intel part has an average benchmark score of 34333, while the AMD part averages 33736. The Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X at 34260 (0.2% behind) and the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H at 34485 (0.4% ahead). The AMD's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 7645HX at 33668 (0.2% behind) and the Intel Core i7-12800HX at 33875 (0.4% ahead). So while the head-to-head deltas are large in AMD's favor, the overall average scores place both chips in the same competitive tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT wins 14 of the 17 shared benchmarks, while the Intel Core i5-13450HX wins only 3.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT faster in single-core performance?

A: In Cinebench tests, yes. The AMD chip leads by 36.9% in R15 single-core, 24.9% in R20 single-core, and 55.3% in R23 single-core. However, in PassMark single-thread, the Intel chip leads by 29.6% (3553 vs 2742).

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT leads in every multi-core Cinebench test: 10.3% in R15, 24.9% in R20, and 39.3% in R23. The PassMark multi-thread score also favors AMD by 23%.

Q: Where does the Intel Core i5-13450HX outperform the AMD chip?

A: The Intel chip wins PassMark single-thread by 29.6% and PassMark floating-point math by 5.6%. These are the only benchmark wins for Intel in the shared test set.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark gap between the two?

A: The PassMark find prime numbers test shows the biggest delta, with the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT scoring 214 versus the Intel's 83, a 61.2% advantage.

Q: Do the average benchmark scores reflect the head-to-head results?

A: Not directly. Both chips sit at the 84th percentile. The Intel has an average score of 34333, slightly above the AMD's 33736, despite losing most head-to-head tests. The nearest rivals for each chip are within 0.4% in average score.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-13450HX uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-HX, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It is a mobile-market chip with an Intel BGA 1964 socket. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Matisse 2 codename, fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process. It is a desktop part on the AMD Socket AM4.

The process node difference is significant: Intel's 10 nm versus TSMC's 7 nm. The AMD chip packs 7,600 million transistors across two 74 mm² dies, while the Intel die measures 257 mm². Cache layouts differ substantially. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 64 MB of L3 cache. That 64 MB L3 is more than three times the Intel's 20 MB, which helps explain the AMD's strong showing in data-heavy workloads like compression and encryption.

Memory support also differs. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the AMD chip supports only DDR4, also dual-channel. The AMD part has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Intel does not list a memory bandwidth figure in the database. PCIe connectivity favors AMD on lane count: Gen 4 with 24 lanes versus Intel's Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The Intel chip includes integrated UHD Graphics 710, while the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT has no integrated graphics. Both chips have unlocked multipliers, and both support ECC memory, though the Intel chip lists ECC as true while the AMD lists it as false.

The release dates place the Intel chip in January 2023 and the AMD chip in July 2020, a gap of roughly two and a half years. Despite that age difference, the AMD part holds its own and often dominates, which speaks to the strength of its core count and cache design.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious difference. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i5-13450HX has 10 cores and 16 threads. Clock speeds favor AMD: the base clock is 3.90 GHz versus 2.40 GHz for Intel, and boost clock is 4.70 GHz versus 4.60 GHz. The thermal design power differs sharply, with the AMD rated at 105 W and the Intel at 55 W. That reflects the desktop versus mobile positioning.

Cache specifications differ across all levels. Intel provides 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3. The total L3 advantage for AMD is 44 MB. The socket, process node, foundry, and die size all differ as described in the architecture section. Memory support, PCIe generation and lane count, integrated graphics presence, and release dates are all different. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $326, while the AMD chip has a launch MSRP of $499.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy in most workloads. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT wins the overwhelming majority of shared benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests and most PassMark tests. Its 12-core, 24-thread configuration and 64 MB L3 cache give it a substantial edge in rendering, compression, encryption, and integer-heavy tasks. The margins range from 10.3% to 61.2% in its favor, with the largest gap in prime number finding.

The Intel Core i5-13450HX is not without merit. It wins PassMark single-thread by 29.6%, which indicates that certain single-threaded workloads will run faster on the Intel chip. It also wins floating-point math by 5.6%. However, those wins are narrow in scope, and the Cinebench single-core results contradict the PassMark single-thread result, showing AMD with leads of 24.9% to 55.3%. The Intel part also has a lower TDP at 55 W, which matters for mobile use, and it includes integrated graphics, which the AMD chip lacks.

For anyone building a desktop system and prioritizing raw multi-core throughput, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT is the stronger choice based on the recorded measurements. For a mobile platform where power draw and integrated graphics matter, the Intel Core i5-13450HX has clear advantages, though its benchmark performance lags in most tests. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the Intel at 34333 and the AMD at 33736, so the decision should hinge on workload type and platform requirements.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT wins in rendering. All three Cinebench multi-core tests go to AMD, with margins from 10.3% to 39.3%. The R23 result is the standout: 27688 versus 16797, a 39.3% lead. Anyone running CPU-based rendering will see a meaningful advantage with the AMD chip.

The AMD chip also wins in data manipulation tasks. PassMark data compression goes AMD's way by 32.4%, data encryption by 41.9%, and random string sorting by 33.9%. The extended instructions test favors AMD by 33.2%, and integer math by 16.6%. Prime number finding is the largest gap at 61.2% in AMD's favor. These are compute-heavy, multi-threaded workloads where the 24 threads and large L3 cache pay off.

The Intel Core i5-13450HX wins in PassMark single-thread performance, scoring 3553 versus 2742, a 29.6% margin. This suggests that some lightly threaded applications, particularly those measured by PassMark's single-thread test, will run faster on the Intel chip. The Intel part also wins floating-point math by 5.6%, a smaller but still notable margin.

The platform story favors each chip differently. AMD offers more PCIe lanes (24 versus 20) but an older PCIe Gen 4 interface, while Intel offers Gen 5 with fewer lanes. AMD supports only DDR4, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Intel includes integrated graphics, AMD does not. The AMD chip has a much higher TDP at 105 W, while the Intel mobile chip sips 55 W. For a desktop build with discrete graphics and heavy multi-threaded workloads, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT is the data-backed pick. For a compact or mobile system that needs integrated graphics and lower power draw, the Intel Core i5-13450HX is the sensible option, provided the workload favors its single-thread and floating-point strengths.