AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX vs Intel Core i7-12700H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests in the database?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700H wins 15 of the 21 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX wins 6. This gives the Intel part a clear majority of recorded wins.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score and percentile ranking?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700H records an average benchmark score of 26717 and sits at the 79th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX records 26274 and sits at the 78th percentile. The Intel part is slightly ahead in both metrics.

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark win for the Intel processor?

A: The largest margin for the Intel Core i7-12700H is in the passmark find prime numbers test, where it scores 94 versus 63 for the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX, a 49.2% advantage.

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark win for the AMD processor?

A: The largest margin for the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX is in the 3dmark 8 threads test, where it scores 5607 versus 4951 for the Intel part, an 11.7% advantage.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-12700H supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i7-12700H does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-12700H is built on Alder Lake-H architecture, using Intel's 10 nm process node with the die manufactured at Intel's own foundry. The chip features 14 cores and 20 threads, with a die size of 217 mm². Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The integrated graphics are Iris Xe with 96 execution units.

The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX uses Zen 3+ architecture with the Rembrandt codename, built on TSMC's 6 nm process node. This chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a die size of 208 mm². Cache amounts are 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The integrated graphics are Radeon 680M.

The core count difference is substantial: the Intel part has 14 cores and 20 threads versus 8 cores and 16 threads for AMD. The Intel chip also carries a larger L3 cache (24 MB versus 16 MB) and larger per-core L1 and L2 caches. The AMD chip counters with a smaller 6 nm process node versus Intel's 10 nm node, and a slightly smaller die. Both chips share the same 45 W TDP, dual-channel memory bus, and PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes. Memory support differs, with Intel allowing both DDR4 and DDR5 while AMD is DDR5-only; AMD also lists a memory bandwidth figure of 76.8 GB/s while Intel does not list a bandwidth value.

The AMD processor includes an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel part does not. Socket types differ as well: Intel uses BGA 1744, while AMD uses Socket FP7. Both are active mobile parts.

The Verdict

The recorded benchmark data favors the Intel Core i7-12700H for users who need maximum multi-threaded rendering and compute performance. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 16307.5 versus 13497 for the AMD part, a 20.8% lead. The Cinebench R15 multi-core result shows a 16.7% advantage (2604.6 versus 2231). The Intel chip also wins the passmark floating point math test by 30.2% (65075 versus 49981) and the passmark physics test by 31.1% (1512 versus 1153). For workloads like prime number finding, the Intel part is dramatically faster, with a 49.2% margin.

The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX makes its case in specific throughput tasks. It wins the 3dmark 16 threads test by 4.2% (6745 versus 6460), the 3dmark 8 threads test by 11.7% (5607 versus 4951), and the 3dmark 4 threads test by 2.5%. In PassMark data encryption, the AMD chip leads by 8.1% (19118 versus 17575), and in extended instructions it leads by 14.2% (20849 versus 17886). Data compression also favors AMD, though narrowly, at 1.8%.

The Intel part has the higher overall average score (26717 versus 26274) and the higher percentile rank (79 versus 78). It also wins the single-thread tests, including Cinebench R23 single-core by 14.4% (1782 versus 1558) and 3dmark single thread by 4.1% (949 versus 912). For buyers choosing between these two mobile processors, the Intel Core i7-12700H is the better pick for rendering, physics, floating point, prime number workloads, and general single-thread responsiveness. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX is the better pick for encryption, extended instruction sets, and certain 3DMark thread-level workloads where its core efficiency shines.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core i7-12700H and AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX differ across nearly every core specification. The Intel chip has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks differ: Intel runs at 2.30 GHz, AMD at 3.30 GHz. Boost clocks also differ: Intel boosts to 4.70 GHz, AMD to 4.90 GHz. Both have a 45 W TDP.

Socket types are different: Intel uses BGA 1744, AMD uses Socket FP7. The architecture differs (Alder Lake versus Zen 3+), as do the codenames (Alder Lake-H versus Rembrandt) and generation labels (Core i7 Alder Lake-H versus Ryzen 9 Zen 3+ Rembrandt). Process nodes differ: Intel is on 10 nm, AMD on 6 nm. Foundries differ: Intel uses its own foundry, AMD uses TSMC. Die sizes are close but not identical: Intel at 217 mm², AMD at 208 mm².

Cache configurations differ at every level. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, AMD supports only DDR5. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s; Intel does not list a bandwidth figure. Integrated graphics differ: Intel uses Iris Xe 96EU, AMD uses Radeon 680M. The multiplier is unlocked on the AMD chip but locked on the Intel chip. Part numbers also differ: Intel's is SRLD1, AMD's is 100-000000544100-000000560.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-12700H dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 2604.6 versus 2231, a 16.7% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the gap widens to 20.8% with scores of 16307.5 versus 13497. Single-core results also favor Intel: Cinebench R15 single-core shows 256 versus 249 (2.8% ahead), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1782 versus 1558 (14.4% ahead). The 3dmark single thread test adds to Intel's single-thread edge, with 949 versus 912, a 4.1% win.

The Intel chip also excels in PassMark compute tests. Floating point math scores 65075 versus 49981, a 30.2% lead. Physics scores 1512 versus 1153, a 31.1% lead. Find prime numbers scores 94 versus 63, a 49.2% lead. Integer math is nearly tied at 90106 versus 89388, a 0.8% Intel edge. PassMark multithread favors Intel at 25615 versus 24346, a 5.2% win, and random string sorting goes to Intel at 33449 versus 32037, a 4.4% win. PassMark single thread also goes to Intel at 3535 versus 3409, a 3.7% win. The 3dmark max threads test goes to Intel at 6941 versus 6717, a 3.3% win, and 3dmark 2 threads goes to Intel at 1817 versus 1767, a 2.8% win.

The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX takes its wins in the 3DMark thread scaling tests and specific PassMark workloads. The 3dmark 16 threads test goes to AMD at 6745 versus 6460, a 4.2% lead. The 3dmark 8 threads test is AMD's biggest overall win, with 5607 versus 4951, an 11.7% advantage. The 3dmark 4 threads test also goes to AMD, with 3353 versus 3268, a 2.5% lead. In PassMark data encryption, AMD scores 19118 versus 17575, an 8.1% win. Extended instructions go to AMD at 20849 versus 17886, a 14.2% win. Data compression barely favors AMD at 306184 versus 300594, a 1.8% margin.

The win count is decisive: Intel takes 15 of the 21 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, AMD takes 6. The average benchmark score also favors Intel, 26717 versus 26274, putting Intel at the 79th percentile and AMD at the 78th.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12700H wins across a broad swath of workloads. Rendering and multi-core compute are its strongest territory, as shown by the Cinebench R23 multi-core result (16307.5 versus 13497, 20.8% ahead) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (2604.6 versus 2231, 16.7% ahead). Floating point math is another clear win, with a 30.2% margin. Physics simulation favors Intel by 31.1%. Prime number finding is the most lopsided test, with Intel ahead by 49.2%. Single-thread performance also belongs to Intel, with wins in Cinebench R23 single-core (14.4%), Cinebench R15 single-core (2.8%), 3dmark single thread (4.1%), and PassMark single thread (3.7%). The Intel chip also wins the max-thread 3DMark test (3.3%), the 2-thread test (2.8%), PassMark multithread (5.2%), random string sorting (4.4%), and integer math (0.8%). This makes the Intel part the better choice for video rendering, 3D physics, scientific floating point, cryptography-free math workloads, and applications that depend on high single-thread speed.

The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX wins in a narrower set of specialized tasks. Its 8-thread 3DMark result (5607 versus 4951, 11.7% ahead) indicates strong performance at moderate thread counts. The 16-thread 3DMark test also goes to AMD (6745 versus 6460, 4.2% ahead), as does the 4-thread test (2.5% ahead). Data encryption is an AMD strength, with an 8.1% lead. Extended instructions show a 14.2% AMD advantage, suggesting better performance for workloads using advanced instruction sets. Data compression edges out Intel at 1.8%. These results make the AMD chip the better fit for encryption-heavy tasks, compressed file handling, and certain 3DMark thread scaling scenarios where its Zen 3+ cores deliver efficient throughput at lower thread counts. For users prioritizing those specific workloads, the Ryzen 9 6900HX is the stronger processor; for nearly everything else in the recorded data, the Core i7-12700H leads.