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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-12700F wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS. There is no single test in the database where the AMD part takes the lead. The margin varies by workload, but the direction is consistent across single-threaded, multi-threaded, and specialized instruction tests.

The largest gap appears in PassMark floating point math, where the Intel part scores 81,804 against 48,096 for the AMD, a 41.2% deficit. This is a substantial difference that indicates the Intel architecture handles heavy mathematical workloads with significantly greater efficiency. Similarly, in PassMark find prime numbers, the Intel result is 98 versus 56, a 42.9% gap, the largest percentage difference in the entire comparison. These two tests point toward raw computational throughput where the Intel chip's higher core count and desktop-class design show clear dominance.

Multi-core rendering tests tell a similar story. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel scores 15,291 while the AMD scores 11,515, a 24.7% difference. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows 2,610 for Intel against 1,913 for AMD, a 26.7% gap. Geekbench multi-core shows the widest multi-threaded margin at 32.8%, with Intel at 13,039 and AMD at 8,756. These results align with the core configuration difference: the Intel part offers 12 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD provides 8 cores and 16 threads.

Single-core performance also favors Intel, though by narrower margins. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 1,898 versus 1,514 for AMD, a 20.2% difference. Geekbench single-core shows 2,169 against 1,903, a 12.3% gap. The PassMark single-thread test records 3,850 for Intel and 3,400 for AMD, an 11.7% difference. These are meaningful but not overwhelming advantages, indicating the AMD Zen 3+ cores are competitive in per-thread performance but still trail Alder Lake's hybrid architecture.

In practical workload simulations, the Intel advantage persists. PassMark multithread shows 30,445 versus 22,775, a 25.2% gap. PassMark physics records 1,488 against 1,043, a 29.9% difference. Data compression favors Intel at 384,463 versus 282,624, a 26.5% margin. Integer math shows 107,013 against 88,124, a 17.7% gap. Even the closest contest, PassMark data encryption, shows Intel ahead at 20,185 versus 17,837, an 11.6% difference.

The overall benchmark averages place both processors at the 82nd percentile among all CPUs, but their average scores differ: the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS averages 31,850, while the Intel Core i7-12700F averages 31,081. This is a curious inversion, as the AMD part has a higher average score despite losing every head-to-head test. The explanation lies in the different benchmark suites each chip was tested with, and the nearest rival data confirms each part sits in a similar performance tier. The AMD's closest rival is the Intel Core i5-14400 with a delta of -0.8%, while the Intel's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS with a delta of 0%.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700F wins every multi-core test in the database. It leads by 24.7% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 26.7% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, and 32.8% in Geekbench multi-core.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS competitive in single-threaded tasks?

A: The AMD part is closer in single-threaded tests but still loses. The smallest margin is 11.6% in PassMark data encryption, while single-core benchmarks show gaps between 11.7% and 20.2% in favor of Intel.

Q: How do the core counts differ between these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700F has 12 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS has 8 cores and 16 threads. This core advantage explains much of the multi-threaded performance gap.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance tier?

A: Both sit at the 82nd percentile among all CPUs. The AMD has a higher average benchmark score of 31,850 compared to Intel's 31,081, but the Intel wins all direct head-to-head comparisons.

Q: What is the largest performance difference between them?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where Intel leads by 42.9%. PassMark floating point math shows the second largest gap at 41.2%.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: Both support DDR5. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS supports DDR5 only, while the Intel Core i7-12700F supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS uses the Zen 3+ architecture on the Rembrandt codename, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i7-12700F uses the Alder Lake architecture on the Alder Lake-S codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The process node difference is notable, with AMD's 6 nm process offering a smaller transistor geometry than Intel's 10 nm.

The core configurations differ significantly. AMD provides 8 cores and 16 threads, all based on the same Zen 3+ design. Intel provides 12 cores and 20 threads, using a hybrid architecture that combines performance cores and efficiency cores, though the database does not specify the exact mix. This hybrid design allows Intel to scale thread counts higher while maintaining competitive single-thread speeds.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 25 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel L3 cache is 56.25% larger, which contributes to its performance in data-heavy workloads.

Memory support shows a key difference. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS supports only DDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration and a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-12700F supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also in dual-channel, but the database does not record a memory bandwidth figure for it. This flexibility gives the Intel platform more options for system builders.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The AMD part offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel part offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Intel supports a newer PCIe generation, but with fewer lanes.

The integrated graphics situation is another clear differentiator. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS includes Radeon 680M integrated graphics, while the Intel Core i7-12700F has no integrated graphics listed. This means the AMD part can operate without a discrete GPU, while the Intel part requires a separate graphics card.

The AMD part uses AMD Socket FP7, a mobile socket, and is classified in the mobile market segment. The Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket, and is classified in the desktop market segment. This distinction affects system design, power delivery, and cooling requirements.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i7-12700F is the faster processor in every measured benchmark. With 17 wins out of 17 head-to-head tests, there is no workload category where the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS takes the lead. The Intel part offers more cores, more threads, larger caches, and higher benchmark scores across the board.

However, the AMD part serves a different purpose. It is a mobile processor with a 35 W TDP and integrated graphics, designed for laptops and compact systems where power efficiency and space matter. The Intel part is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP and no integrated graphics, designed for full-sized systems with discrete graphics cards. Users who need a self-contained mobile solution should consider the AMD, while those building a desktop workstation or gaming rig should prefer the Intel.

The benchmark averages place both near the same overall performance tier, at the 82nd percentile, and their nearest rivals include similar-generation parts from both manufacturers. The AMD's higher average score of 31,850 versus Intel's 31,081 reflects the different benchmark suites used, not a reversal of the head-to-head results.

Specification Differences

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

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

| Cores | 8 | 12 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 35 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 recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 680M | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2022-04-18 | 2022-01-03 |

The Intel Core i7-12700F has a launch MSRP of $324.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12700F wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. There is no exception. This includes:

• Multi-core rendering: Cinebench R15 and R23 multi-core tests show Intel leads by 26.7% and 24.7% respectively.
• Single-core rendering: Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core tests show Intel leads by 11.8% and 20.2%.
• General productivity: Geekbench multi-core and single-core show Intel leads by 32.8% and 12.3%.
• Data processing: PassMark data compression shows Intel leads by 26.5%, data encryption by 11.6%.
• Mathematical workloads: PassMark floating point math shows Intel leads by 41.2%, integer math by 17.7%, find prime numbers by 42.9%.
• System simulation: PassMark physics shows Intel leads by 29.9%.
• Memory operations: PassMark random string sorting shows Intel leads by 26.4%.
• Overall threading: PassMark multithread shows Intel leads by 25.2%, single-thread by 11.7%.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS has no benchmark wins in this comparison. Its advantages lie outside raw performance: it is a mobile processor with integrated graphics, a lower 35 W TDP, a smaller 6 nm process node, and a smaller 208 mm² die size. It supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes and includes Radeon 680M graphics, making it a viable option for thin-and-light laptops that need CPU and GPU capability in a single package. The Intel part requires a discrete GPU and consumes nearly double the power, but it delivers superior performance in every measured test, with particularly large margins in floating point math, prime number computation, and multi-core workloads.