AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H vs Intel Core i7-12700 Comparison

The comparison between the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H and the Intel Core i7-12700 is defined by a decisive sweep in the benchmark data. Across all 15 head-to-head tests, the Intel Core i7-12700 records the higher score, with the AMD part trailing in every single category. The overall average benchmark scores reflect this gap: the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H posts an average of 33201, while the Intel Core i7-12700 posts an average of 32942, though the percentile ranking for both is identical at 83. This creates an interesting dynamic where the AMD processor, despite losing every direct comparison, still holds a slightly higher aggregate score due to the weighting of its benchmark suite, yet the head-to-head data leaves no ambiguity about which chip performs better in matched workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-12700’s dominance is most pronounced in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel part scores 21751 against the AMD’s 13501, a delta of -37.9%. Similarly, in Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel leads with 3151 versus 2153, a -31.7% difference. These are substantial margins that indicate a clear advantage in rendering and heavily threaded tasks. PassMark’s multi-thread test confirms the trend, with Intel scoring 30273 and AMD at 23770, a -21.5% gap. The floating-point math test shows the largest single disparity: Intel scores 81191 while AMD manages 48821, a delta of -39.9%. The find prime numbers test also shows a significant lead for Intel at 101 versus 62, a -38.6% difference.

Single-threaded performance tells a similar story, though with smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 1894 against AMD’s 1615, a -14.7% delta. The PassMark single-thread test shows Intel at 3864 and AMD at 3326, a -13.9% gap. Cinebench R15 single-core is the closest contest, with Intel at 272 and AMD at 260, a -4.4% difference. This suggests that while Intel wins every head-to-head, its advantage narrows considerably in lightly threaded tasks. The data also shows consistent wins for Intel in memory-sensitive operations: data compression (375950 vs 297936, -20.8%), random string sorting (38970 vs 30859, -20.8%), and extended instructions (24184 vs 20302, -16.1%). Integer math shows a more moderate lead for Intel at 106554 versus 87132, an -18.2% delta, while data encryption is the closest overall benchmark, with Intel at 20143 and AMD at 18673, a -7.3% difference. Physics simulation also favors Intel, with a score of 1558 versus 1115, a -28.4% gap.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectural approaches. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H uses the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt, manufactured on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i7-12700 uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-S, manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel. The core configurations differ significantly: AMD provides 8 cores and 16 threads, while Intel provides 12 cores and 20 threads. This core count disparity is the primary driver behind the multi-threaded benchmark results. The cache hierarchies also differ. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 16 MB L3 cache. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with a larger shared 25 MB L3 cache.

Process node and die size also separate the chips. AMD’s die measures 208 mm², while Intel’s is slightly larger at 215 mm². Memory support diverges as well: AMD supports only DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, offering a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, though the fact pack does not list a specific bandwidth figure for the Intel part. The PCIe interface differs, with AMD using Gen 4 and 20 lanes (CPU only), while Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: AMD includes the Radeon 680M, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 770. The market segments are distinct, with AMD positioned as a mobile processor and Intel as a desktop processor. The power envelopes reflect this, with AMD rated at 45W TDP and Intel at 65W TDP.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-12700 wins every single head-to-head test, with 15 wins and 0 for the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H. For users prioritizing raw performance in any measurable workload, the Intel part is the correct choice based strictly on the numbers. The Intel processor is particularly strong in multi-threaded and floating-point tasks, where its additional cores and threads yield advantages of roughly 30% to 40% over the AMD chip. Even in single-threaded tests, where the gap is smallest, Intel still leads by a meaningful margin, ranging from 4.4% to 14.7% depending on the benchmark. The AMD processor’s only statistical claim is its slightly higher average benchmark score (33201 vs 32942) and its identical 83rd percentile ranking, but this does not translate into a single head-to-head victory. Therefore, the data supports picking the Intel Core i7-12700 for any application where benchmark scores are the primary criterion. The AMD part’s advantages lie outside the performance metrics, such as its lower TDP and mobile orientation, which are not reflected in these specific test results.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700 scores 21751, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H scores 13501, giving Intel a 37.9% advantage.

Q: What is the closest benchmark contest between the two?

A: The closest contest is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where Intel scores 272 and AMD scores 260, a difference of only 4.4%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of core count?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-12700 has 12 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Do both processors have the same overall percentile ranking?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H and the Intel Core i7-12700 are ranked at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor performs better in passmark floating point math?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700 scores 81191, whereas the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H scores 48821, marking the largest single benchmark gap at 39.9%.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth listed for the AMD processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H has a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Intel Core i7-12700 does not have a bandwidth figure listed.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the head-to-head data, the Intel Core i7-12700 wins in every category tested, so the distribution of wins is entirely one-sided. The Intel part’s largest victories are in multi-threaded and computationally intensive workloads: Cinebench R23 multi-core (37.9% ahead), PassMark floating-point math (39.9% ahead), and PassMark find prime numbers (38.6% ahead). It also leads decisively in physics simulation (28.4% ahead), multithread performance (21.5% ahead), and integer math (18.2% ahead). Memory-related tasks also favor Intel, with data compression and random string sorting both showing a 20.8% lead. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H does not have a single benchmark win, but its closest relative performance is in single-threaded Cinebench R15 (4.4% behind) and data encryption (7.3% behind). Therefore, the use-case split is clear: any workload that benefits from higher scores in these benchmarks favors Intel. The AMD part’s potential wins are not in the performance data but in its characteristics, such as a lower TDP of 45W versus 65W and a mobile market segment, which may be relevant for system-level considerations beyond raw benchmark output.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H | Intel Core i7-12700 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 12 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 3+ | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Rembrandt | Alder Lake-S |

| Process Node | 6 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 208 mm² | 215 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 25 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | Not listed |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 680M | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $349 |