AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 vs Intel Core i3-12100 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 dominates the Intel Core i3-12100 in every single head-to-head test recorded. Across six Cinebench comparisons, the AMD processor wins all six, with the Intel part never taking a single victory. The average benchmark score for the Intel i3-12100 is 12054, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 posts an average of 11469, but this aggregate figure masks the dramatic separation in the specific workloads where both were measured directly.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 scores 39653 against the i3-12100's 10623. That is a delta of 73.2% in favor of AMD, meaning the Ryzen chip delivers roughly 3.7 times the multi-threaded performance of the Core i3 in this render test. The single-core R23 result tells a similar story: AMD scores 5598, Intel scores 1499, again a 73.2% delta. The Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is not merely faster, it is faster by a margin that changes the class of work each processor can handle.

Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern. Multi-core: AMD 16654 versus Intel 4461, a 73.2% delta. Single-core: AMD 2351 versus Intel 629, also 73.2%. Cinebench R15 repeats the script: multi-core AMD 3996 versus Intel 1070, single-core AMD 564 versus Intel 150. Every delta is identical at 73.2%, which indicates that the performance gap is consistent across Cinebench versions and across both single-threaded and multi-threaded scaling.

The Intel Core i3-12100 does have its own benchmark strengths outside the head-to-head set. In 3DMark tests, the i3-12100 scores 4036 in the 16-thread test, 1645 in the 2-thread test, 2845 in the 4-thread test, 4014 in the 8-thread test, and 890 in the single-thread test. PassMark results for the Intel part include a multi-thread score of 12170, a single-thread score of 3173, integer math at 35678, floating-point math at 28015, and data compression at 142060. These figures are respectable for a quad-core desktop chip, but they do not appear in the head-to-head comparisons, so they cannot offset the AMD sweep.

The Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 does not have recorded 3DMark or PassMark scores in the database, so the comparison is limited to Cinebench. Within that scope, the verdict is total. The AMD part wins all six head-to-head tests, and the Intel part wins zero. The percentile ranking for both CPUs is identical at 67, which places them in the same overall tier, but that percentile is computed against all CPUs in the database and does not reflect the direct comparison where AMD is consistently 73.2% ahead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 wins all six recorded head-to-head tests, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core modes. The Intel Core i3-12100 wins none of these comparisons.

Q: What is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 scores 39653, and the Intel Core i3-12100 scores 10623. The delta is 73.2% in favor of AMD, meaning the Ryzen chip delivers roughly 3.7 times the multi-core render performance.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-12100 have any single-thread advantage?

A: No. In every single-core test, the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is ahead by the same 73.2% delta. For example, in Cinebench R23 single-core, AMD scores 5598 versus Intel's 1499.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100 has an average benchmark score of 12054, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 has an average of 11469. Despite this, the AMD part wins every direct head-to-head test, because the average includes different test sets for each CPU.

Q: Are these CPUs in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-12100 and the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 are in the 67th percentile against all CPUs in the database, even though their direct comparison shows a large gap in Cinebench workloads.

Q: What is the closest rival to each processor?

A: For the Intel Core i3-12100, the nearest rival is the Intel Xeon Gold 6314U with an average score of 12026 and a delta of 0.2%. For the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945, the nearest rival is the Intel Xeon Gold 6342 with an average score of 11574 and a delta of -0.9%.

The Verdict

The data points to one clear conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is the superior processor for any workload captured in the Cinebench suite. It wins every head-to-head test by a 73.2% margin, and that margin is consistent across single-core and multi-core modes. The Intel Core i3-12100 cannot compete in these direct comparisons, and its 0 wins versus 6 wins leaves no room for interpretation.

For users whose primary concern is render performance, multi-threaded throughput, or single-thread responsiveness as measured by Cinebench, the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is the only rational choice. The Intel part does have its own benchmark scores in 3DMark and PassMark that are respectable, but those tests were not run on the AMD chip, so no direct comparison is available. Within the recorded data, the AMD chip is categorically faster.

The Intel Core i3-12100 may still serve a purpose for workloads that are not captured in the Cinebench head-to-head set, but the database does not contain evidence of any test where it beats the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945. The verdict is straightforward: pick the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 if you need top-tier Cinebench performance, and only consider the Intel part if your specific application relies on metrics outside the recorded comparisons.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Intel Core i3-12100 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 has 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz for Intel and 3.70 GHz for AMD, with boost clocks of 4.30 GHz and 5.40 GHz respectively. Thermal design power is close: 60 watts for Intel, 65 watts for AMD, but the socket and platform differ entirely, Intel on Socket 1700 and AMD on Socket AM5.

Cache configurations are markedly different. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. That is a 52 MB difference in L3 cache, favoring AMD. Memory support also diverges: Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, while Intel does not have a recorded bandwidth figure.

PCIe lanes differ: Intel has Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), AMD has Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are present on both, with Intel's UHD Graphics 730 and AMD's Radeon Graphics. ECC memory support is false on Intel and true on AMD. The market segment for Intel is Desktop, while AMD is listed as Server/Workstation. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $122, while AMD has no recorded launch MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is fundamental. The Intel Core i3-12100 uses Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-S, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 uses Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Raphael, built on TSMC's 5 nm process node. The process difference is significant: 10 nm versus 5 nm, which contributes to the AMD part's higher transistor density.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 has 13,140 million transistors across a dual-die design with 2x 71 mm² die size. The Intel part has no recorded transistor count, but its die size is 163 mm². The cache hierarchy differs at every level. Intel uses 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, while AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core and 1 MB L2 per core. The L3 cache is the largest difference: Intel has 12 MB shared, AMD has 64 MB shared, a 5.3 times advantage for AMD.

The market positioning reinforces the architectural intent. Intel's Core i3-12100 is a desktop part, released in January 2022, with a production status of Active. AMD's Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is a server/workstation part, released in June 2023, also Active. The AMD part supports ECC memory and has higher PCIe lane count, both typical of workstation/server designs. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which is a flexibility that AMD does not offer, but AMD counters with higher L3 cache and a smaller process node from a different foundry.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 wins every recorded benchmark where both CPUs were tested. That includes all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 variants, both single-core and multi-core. The margin is a consistent 73.2% in favor of AMD. For render workloads, multi-threaded compilation, or any task that scales with core count and cache size, the AMD part is the clear winner. The 12 cores, 24 threads, and 64 MB of L3 cache provide a structural advantage that the Intel 4-core, 8-thread, 12 MB L3 design cannot overcome.

The Intel Core i3-12100 does have recorded wins in tests that were not run on the AMD part. In 3DMark, the Intel chip scores 4036 in 16-thread, 2845 in 4-thread, and 890 in single-thread. In PassMark, it scores 12170 multi-thread, 3173 single-thread, 35678 integer math, and 28015 floating-point math. These numbers are not compared to the AMD part, so they do not constitute wins in the head-to-head sense, but they show that the Intel chip has a functional profile for lighter desktop workloads.

The database records zero wins for the Intel Core i3-12100 and six wins for the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945. The use-case split is therefore lopsided. If your work is Cinebench-style rendering, the AMD processor is the only choice. If your work falls outside the recorded head-to-head tests, the Intel part may be adequate, but there is no data in the database to suggest it outperforms the AMD chip in any comparable metric. The verdict is data-driven and decisive: AMD wins the comparison outright, and the Intel part's role is limited to workloads that were never measured against the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945.