AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX vs Intel Core i9-12900KS Comparison

The Intel Core i9-12900KS and the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX occupy different corners of the processor market, yet their benchmark scores place them in the same performance tier. The database records the Intel part with an average benchmark score of 45,094 and the AMD part with an average of 46,654, a difference of roughly 3.5%. Both processors sit at the 89th percentile among all CPUs tracked in the database, meaning they outperform the vast majority of recorded processors. The Intel chip’s nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4344P, with an average score of 45,122, and the Intel Core i5-14600, with 44,889. The AMD chip’s nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon w3-2535 at 46,653, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X at 46,487, and the Intel Core i7-13700K at 46,881. The head-to-head benchmark comparison shows the Intel chip winning 16 of 23 recorded tests, while the AMD chip wins 7. That split suggests a broad but not universal advantage for Intel, with specific workloads favoring AMD.

FAQ

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900KS has 16 cores and 24 threads. The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX has 12 cores and 24 threads. Both support the same thread count, but the Intel part uses four additional physical cores.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900KS has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Intel part holds a higher figure in both measurements.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX has 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i9-12900KS has 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part offers more than double the L3 capacity.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900KS is rated at 150 W TDP. The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX is rated at 55 W TDP. The AMD part consumes considerably less power according to the recorded specifications.

Q: How do the two compare in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900KS leads in every recorded single-thread test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel chip scores 5,203 against 1,852 for the AMD chip, a 180.9% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, the Intel chip scores 2,408 against 2,389, a much narrower 0.8% margin.

Q: Which processor wins the PassMark multithread test?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX wins the PassMark multithread test with a score of 45,010, while the Intel Core i9-12900KS scores 43,698. That is a 2.9% advantage for the AMD part.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear split based on workload and platform priorities. For users who need maximum single-thread performance, the Intel Core i9-12900KS is the stronger choice. It wins every single-thread benchmark in the comparison, with margins ranging from 0.8% in Geekbench single-core to 180.9% in Cinebench R23 single-core. The Intel chip also dominates in lightly threaded and moderately threaded synthetic tests, such as 3DMark 2-thread, where it leads by 11.3%, and 3DMark 4-thread, where it leads by 13.5%.

For users who prioritize energy efficiency and specific multithreaded workloads, the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX presents a compelling alternative. Its 55 W TDP is drastically lower than the Intel chip’s 150 W TDP, and it still manages to win 7 of the 23 head-to-head tests. The AMD part wins in PassMark multithread, integer math, extended instructions, find prime numbers, data encryption, and random string sorting. It also wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 14%. However, the AMD chip loses badly in Cinebench R23 multicore, scoring 26,876 against 36,859 for Intel, a 37.1% deficit.

The choice depends on whether the user values raw single-thread and mixed-load performance or efficiency and specific math-oriented tasks. The Intel chip is the default recommendation for desktop users who want the highest recorded boost clock and the best results across the majority of benchmark tests. The AMD chip is the better pick for mobile users or those constrained by power limits, given its mobile market segment and lower TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-12900KS builds its case on a series of decisive wins in Cinebench and 3DMark tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Intel chip scores 36,859 against 26,876 for the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX, a 37.1% lead. That is the largest multicore margin in the entire comparison. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel chip scores 5,203 against 1,852, a 180.9% advantage, the single largest delta in any recorded test. Cinebench R15 single-core also favors Intel heavily, with a score of 524 against 295, a 77.6% margin. These results indicate that the Intel architecture delivers far stronger per-core performance in Cinebench’s rendering workloads.

The 3DMark results also favor Intel across the board. In 3DMark 2-thread, Intel scores 2,212 against 1,988, an 11.3% lead. In 3DMark 4-thread, Intel scores 4,320 against 3,807, a 13.5% lead. In 3DMark 8-thread, Intel scores 7,872 against 7,140, a 10.3% lead. In 3DMark 16-thread, Intel scores 10,316 against 10,068, a 2.5% lead. In 3DMark max-threads, Intel scores 11,897 against 11,108, a 7.1% lead. The pattern is consistent: Intel wins every 3DMark test, with the margin shrinking as thread count increases, suggesting that the AMD chip closes the gap under heavier load.

Geekbench results are closer. In Geekbench single-core, Intel scores 2,408 against 2,389, a 0.8% lead. In Geekbench multicore, Intel scores 18,538 against 16,633, an 11.5% lead. The single-core margin is negligible, but the multicore margin is substantial.

PassMark tests show a more balanced picture. Intel wins floating point math with a score of 111,429 against 94,287, an 18.2% lead. Intel also wins physics with 2,437 against 2,346, a 3.9% margin, and data compression with 563,709 against 543,539, a 3.7% margin. Intel wins single-thread with 4,330 against 3,935, a 10% lead.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX takes its wins in specific computational tasks. In PassMark find prime numbers, AMD scores 329 against 158, a 52% advantage. That is the largest AMD win in the comparison. In PassMark extended instructions, AMD scores 41,020 against 35,089, a 14.5% lead. In PassMark integer math, AMD scores 155,118 against 147,575, a 4.9% lead. In PassMark random string sorting, AMD scores 63,223 against 60,539, a 4.2% lead. In PassMark data encryption, AMD scores 32,789 against 31,403, a 4.2% lead. In PassMark multithread, AMD scores 45,010 against 43,698, a 2.9% lead. In Cinebench R15 multicore, AMD scores 4,320 against 3,715, a 14% lead.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i9-12900KS uses 16 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX uses 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel chip has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The AMD chip has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Intel chip is rated at 150 W TDP, while the AMD chip is rated at 55 W TDP.

The Intel chip uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the AMD chip uses the AMD Socket FL1. The Intel chip is a desktop part, while the AMD chip is a mobile part. The Intel chip has a die size of 215 mm², while the AMD chip has a die size of 2x 71 mm². The Intel chip is built on a 10 nm process at Intel, while the AMD chip is built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. The AMD chip has 13,140 million transistors, a figure not recorded for the Intel chip.

Memory support differs as well. The Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip supports only DDR5. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The Intel chip has a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the AMD chip has 83.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe support differs: the Intel chip provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD chip provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics also differ. The Intel chip includes UHD Graphics 770, while the AMD chip includes Radeon 610M. The Intel chip was released on 2022-04-04, while the AMD chip was released on 2023-01-03. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $739, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD chip. Both have unlocked multipliers and are currently marked as active in production.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is fundamental. The Intel Core i9-12900KS is based on Alder Lake, specifically the Alder Lake-S desktop variant, and belongs to the Core 12th Gen family. The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX is based on Zen 4, specifically the Dragon Range mobile variant, and belongs to the Ryzen 7000 series. The Intel chip is manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel, while the AMD chip is manufactured on a 5 nm process at TSMC. The process node difference explains part of the efficiency gap, with the AMD chip drawing 55 W TDP against 150 W for Intel.

Cache hierarchies differ in both size and organization. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip offers more than double the L3 capacity, which may contribute to its wins in integer math and extended instruction tests.

The Intel chip uses a hybrid architecture with 16 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD chip uses 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel chip’s higher core count does not translate into a universal multicore advantage, as seen in the PassMark multithread and Cinebench R15 multicore results. The AMD chip’s Zen 4 architecture, combined with its larger L3 cache, appears to handle certain workloads more efficiently despite fewer physical cores.

The memory controller also differs. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD chip supports only DDR5. The AMD chip has a higher recorded memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s against 76.8 GB/s for Intel. The AMD chip provides 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, while the Intel chip provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. These differences matter for users who need more expansion bandwidth or who plan to use older DDR4 memory.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-12900KS wins in scenarios that demand high single-thread performance and strong results across a broad range of synthetic tests. Its 5.50 GHz boost clock is the highest recorded boost clock in this comparison, and it delivers a 180.9% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core. The Intel chip also wins every 3DMark test, indicating strong performance in simulation and gaming-related workloads. Its 16 cores and 24 threads provide a solid foundation for Cinebench R23 multicore, where it leads by 37.1%.

The Intel chip is the better choice for desktop users who need a high-clock processor for lightly threaded applications, such as gaming or single-threaded productivity tools. It also wins in floating point math with an 18.2% margin, making it suitable for workloads that rely on floating point calculations. The Intel chip’s support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory gives users flexibility in platform selection, and its 215 mm² die size reflects a monolithic desktop design.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX wins in scenarios that favor efficiency and specific computational tasks. Its 55 W TDP is less than half the Intel chip’s 150 W rating, making it the clear choice for mobile platforms where power and thermal limits are tight. The AMD chip also wins in PassMark find prime numbers by 52%, extended instructions by 14.5%, integer math by 4.9%, random string sorting by 4.2%, and data encryption by 4.2%. These results suggest an advantage in cryptography, integer-heavy calculations, and instruction-heavy workloads.

The AMD chip wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 14%, a notable exception to Intel’s multicore dominance in Cinebench R23. The AMD chip’s 64 MB L3 cache and 83.2 GB/s memory bandwidth likely contribute to these wins. Its 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes provide more expansion capacity than the Intel chip’s 16 lanes. The AMD chip is the better pick for mobile users or anyone building a power-constrained system that still needs strong multithreaded performance in specific tasks. Its higher average benchmark score of 46,654 against 45,094 for Intel reflects its overall competitiveness despite losing the majority of head-to-head tests.