AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS vs Intel Core i5-1245U Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS and the Intel Core i5-1245U is exactly even, with each processor taking two wins in the recorded head-to-head tests. This is not a case of one chip dominating; rather, it is a tale of two different performance profiles shaped by core counts, clock speeds, and architecture generation.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS claims its victories in the older Cinebench R15 suite, both in multi-core and single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 2041 against Intel's 1315, a commanding 55.2% advantage. In the single-core R15 test, AMD leads with 236.5 versus 185, a 27.8% margin. These are substantial wins, suggesting that in workloads which scale well with the AMD chip's 8 cores and 16 threads, and which do not heavily favor the Intel hybrid architecture's efficiency cores, the Ryzen 9 pulls ahead decisively.

The Intel Core i5-1245U, however, flips the script in the more modern Cinebench R23 suite. It wins the multi-core test with 13053 points against AMD's 12745.5, a slim 2.4% edge. More strikingly, it dominates the single-core R23 test with 1842 versus 1475.5, a 19.9% advantage. This indicates that Intel's Alder Lake architecture, with its performance cores and higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz, delivers a significant single-threaded speed advantage in newer rendering workloads.

The data suggests a generational shift. The Ryzen 9 5900HS, based on the Zen 3 architecture from 2021, excels in the older benchmark suite. The Core i5-1245U, released a year later with the Alder Lake architecture and a 10 nm process, shows its strength in the newer test. The implication is clear: for legacy applications and heavily threaded tasks that respond to the AMD's raw core count, the Ryzen 9 is the stronger choice. For modern single-threaded workloads and the latest rendering engines, the Intel part leads.

Looking at the broader database averages, both processors sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has an average benchmark score of 3924, while the Intel Core i5-1245U trails slightly at 3775. This places the AMD chip in the same performance tier as the Intel Xeon E-2278GE (average score 3939, a delta of -0.4%) and just above the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U (3958, delta -0.9%). The Intel chip, meanwhile, sits alongside the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 (3777, delta 0%) and the Intel Core i7-9700KF (3787, delta -0.3%). The 5900HS edges out the 1245U by roughly 4% in average score, a modest but measurable overall advantage.

The Verdict

The choice between these two mobile processors depends entirely on the intended workload profile, and the data provides clear guidance for each scenario.

For users who prioritize heavily threaded productivity tasks in older software, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS is the pick. Its 8 cores and 16 threads, combined with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and boost up to 4.60 GHz, deliver a massive 55.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core. This chip is also the better option for those who care about consistent multi-threaded performance across different benchmark generations, as its R23 multi-core score of 12745.5 is within 2.4% of the Intel part despite the Intel chip's newer architecture. The 5900HS also holds a 27.8% advantage in the R15 single-core test, showing it is no slouch in lightly threaded scenarios from that era.

For users running the latest rendering applications, video encoding tools, or any workload that benefits from high single-threaded performance, the Intel Core i5-1245U is the superior choice. Its 19.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is substantial, and its 2.4% edge in R23 multi-core confirms that its hybrid core design (10 cores, 12 threads) is effective in modern multi-threaded loads. The 1245U also operates at a much lower 15 W TDP compared to the AMD chip's 35 W, which speaks to its efficiency in thin-and-light laptops where thermal headroom is limited.

The neutral data suggests that neither processor is a universal winner. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS offers a higher average benchmark score (3924 versus 3775) and a more balanced overall profile, but the Intel Core i5-1245U wins in the most current rendering test. If the workload is future-facing and single-thread sensitive, Intel is the answer. If the workload is traditional and heavily parallel, AMD holds the edge. The 4% difference in average score between the two is small enough that the specific application mix should drive the decision.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The four direct comparisons in the database reveal a clear pattern of divergent strengths.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS delivers 2041 points against the Intel Core i5-1245U's 1315. The 55.2% delta is the largest margin in either direction across all tests. This result underscores the benefit of the AMD chip's 8-core, 16-thread configuration with a 35 W TDP, which allows sustained performance in older rendering workloads.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD chip again wins, scoring 236.5 versus 185. The 27.8% advantage is significant and indicates that even in a single-threaded legacy test, the Zen 3 architecture's 4.60 GHz boost clock outperforms the Intel part's 4.40 GHz boost. This is a noteworthy result because it shows the 5900HS is not merely a multi-core specialist; it also leads in older single-threaded scenarios.

The tide turns in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here, the Intel Core i5-1245U scores 13053, narrowly edging out the AMD chip's 12745.5. The 2.4% delta is small but consistent with the Intel part's newer architecture and hybrid core arrangement. This result suggests that in modern multi-threaded workloads, the Intel chip's combination of performance and efficiency cores can match or slightly exceed the AMD chip's traditional core layout.

The most lopsided Intel victory comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the 1245U scores 1842 against the 5900HS's 1475.5. The 19.9% delta is the second-largest margin in the head-to-head set. This is a clear signal that Intel's Alder Lake performance cores are significantly faster per-thread in current rendering engines, likely due to architectural improvements and higher effective IPC despite a lower peak boost clock.

These four results paint a coherent picture: the AMD chip dominates older benchmarks by wide margins, while the Intel chip wins the newer benchmarks, with a particularly strong single-threaded performance in the latest test suite.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has an average benchmark score of 3924, while the Intel Core i5-1245U scores 3775. Both processors sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How large is the AMD chip's lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS scores 2041 versus the Intel Core i5-1245U's 1315, giving AMD a 55.2% advantage in that test.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark by a wide margin?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Core i5-1245U scores 1842 against the AMD chip's 1475.5, a 19.9% lead. It also wins the R23 multi-core test by a smaller 2.4% margin, scoring 13053 versus 12745.5.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i5-1245U has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has a TDP of 35 W, while the Intel Core i5-1245U has a TDP of 15 W. This indicates the Intel chip is designed for much lower power envelopes.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-1245U has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS is built on the Zen 3 architecture with the codename Cezanne, fabricated on a 7 nm process at TSMC with 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. It uses the AMD Socket FP6 and is part of the 5000 series generation.

The Intel Core i5-1245U is based on the Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-U, manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process. It uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket and belongs to the Core i5 generation. The database does not list transistor count or die size for this part.

The cache hierarchies differ significantly. The AMD chip features 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 16 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and a smaller shared 12 MB L3 cache. Despite the Intel chip having more cores, its total L3 cache is 4 MB smaller than the AMD part's.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a recorded memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-1245U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. Neither chip supports ECC memory.

PCI Express capabilities are another differentiator. The AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel chip supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). This gives the Intel part a generational advantage in peripheral bandwidth.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS includes Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel Core i5-1245U features Iris Xe 80EU graphics. Both are mobile processors, and both have locked multipliers, meaning they are not unlocked for overclocking.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several core specification fields. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-1245U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The base clock speeds are recorded differently: the AMD chip has a base clock of 3.00 GHz, while the Intel chip lists a base clock of 1600.00 MHz, which is 1.60 GHz. The boost clocks are closer, with AMD at 4.60 GHz and Intel at 4.40 GHz.

The TDP is a major differentiator. The AMD chip draws 35 W, while the Intel chip is rated at 15 W. This reflects different design targets: the AMD part aims for higher sustained performance, while the Intel part targets efficiency in thinner devices.

The process nodes differ, with AMD using a 7 nm process from TSMC and Intel using a 10 nm process. The AMD chip has a recorded transistor count of 10,700 million and a die size of 180 mm², while the Intel chip has no transistor or die size data in the database.

The sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket FP6, while Intel uses BGA 1744. The release dates differ by over a year, with the AMD chip launching on 2021-01-11 and the Intel chip on 2022-02-22.

Cache specifications show differences in per-core allocation. The AMD chip has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, while the Intel chip has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core. The shared L3 cache is 16 MB on AMD versus 12 MB on Intel.

Memory support differs, with AMD limited to DDR4 and Intel supporting both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for the AMD chip at 68.3 GB/s. PCIe support favors Intel, which has Gen 4 with 20 lanes, versus AMD's Gen 3. The integrated graphics are also different: Radeon Vega 8 on AMD versus Iris Xe 80EU on Intel.

The part numbers differ as well: AMD lists 100-000000300, while Intel lists SRLFSSRLWY. Both processors are marked as Active in production status and are in the Mobile market segment. Neither chip has a launch MSRP recorded in the database.