AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS vs Intel Core i9-12900K Comparison

The Intel Core i9-12900K and AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS occupy very different positions in the desktop and mobile markets, respectively. The data shows that the Intel part, a 16-core Alder Lake desktop flagship, wins 15 of the 17 shared benchmark comparisons, while the AMD 8-core Zen 4 mobile processor claims victory in just two. However, the margin of victory in those two tests is substantial, and the AMD part matches the Intel chip in overall performance percentile, making this a nuanced comparison rather than a clean sweep.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher overall benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900K has an average benchmark score of 42335, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS scores 41963. This places the Intel part 0.9% ahead, with both chips sitting at the 88th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How does the Intel chip compare to its closest rival?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900K's nearest rival is the Intel Core i9-12950HX, which scores 42487. The 12900K trails that part by 0.4%. It also sits 0.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 and 1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-14700T.

Q: What is the AMD processor's closest competitor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-14700T, which scores 41914. It is 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 (42055) and 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i7-12850HX.

Q: In which single benchmark does the AMD chip win by the largest margin?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 43.6%, scoring 3552 against the Intel's 2004.5. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 19%, with scores of 357 versus 289.

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

A: The Intel Core i9-12900K has 16 cores and 24 threads. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Both the Intel Core i9-12900K and the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS support ECC memory, according to the specification data.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split between these two chips is stark. The Intel Core i9-12900K uses the Alder Lake-S architecture built on Intel's 10 nm process, featuring a 215 mm² die size. In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS uses the Zen 4 architecture on TSMC's 4 nm node, with a 178 mm² die size and 25,000 million transistors.

Core counts diverge significantly. Intel fields 16 cores and 24 threads, while AMD offers 8 cores and 16 threads. Cache hierarchies also differ: Intel provides 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with a larger 30 MB shared L3 cache. AMD's per-core L1 is 64 KB and L2 is 1 MB, with a smaller 16 MB shared L3. The base clocks tell a similar story, with Intel at 3.20 GHz and AMD at 4.00 GHz, though both boost to 5.20 GHz.

Memory support and connectivity show further divergence. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, while AMD only supports DDR5 but at a higher 89.6 GB/s. Intel uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, whereas AMD uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Both are dual-channel designs. The integrated graphics differ as well, with Intel using UHD Graphics 770 and AMD using the Radeon 780M. Intel is a desktop part on Socket 1700, while AMD is a mobile part on Socket FP7. Intel has an unlocked multiplier; AMD's is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a consistent pattern of Intel dominance in multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads, with AMD countering in specific single-core scenarios. The largest Intel victory comes in PassMark floating point math, where it scores 105471 against AMD's 63490, a 66.1% advantage. PassMark find prime numbers shows a 61.5% lead (147 vs 91), and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 60% lead (4057 vs 2536).

Other significant Intel wins include Cinebench R20 multi-core at 38.9% (14679 vs 10569), PassMark multi-thread at 35.7% (41213 vs 30378), and PassMark data compression at 45.7% (537341 vs 368884). Integer math favors Intel by 34.5% (139090 vs 103390), and data encryption by 35.6% (29579 vs 21820). PassMark physics shows a 55.2% gap (2219 vs 1430), while extended instructions are 21.5% higher (33682 vs 27714). Random string sorting is 27.8% faster (57094 vs 44668).

The margins narrow in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where Intel leads by just 3.8% (26125 vs 25165). PassMark single-thread is close, with Intel ahead by 5.5% (4136 vs 3920). The AMD wins are dramatic in the opposite direction: Cinebench R23 single-core goes to AMD by 43.6% (3552 vs 2004.5), and Cinebench R15 single-core goes to AMD by 19% (357 vs 289). Notably, Cinebench R20 single-core bucks the trend, with Intel winning by 39% (2072 vs 1491).

The Verdict

The data supports a clear division of purpose. The Intel Core i9-12900K is the stronger multi-threaded workstation part, winning 15 of 17 benchmarks and delivering decisive margins in floating point math (66.1%), prime number finding (61.5%), and Cinebench R15 multi-core (60%). Its average benchmark score of 42335 is 0.9% higher than the AMD chip, and it holds a 35.7% lead in PassMark multi-thread.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS is the more efficient single-core performer in specific tests, with a 43.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and a 19% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core. However, it loses Cinebench R20 single-core by 39% and PassMark single-thread by 5.5%, meaning its single-core advantage is not universal. Both chips sit at the 88th percentile, and the AMD part matches Intel's average score within 0.9%, despite having half the cores.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput, the Intel chip is the clear choice. For those focused on specific single-core workloads where AMD excels, the Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS offers a compelling alternative, particularly given its mobile form factor and 45 W TDP versus Intel's 125 W desktop TDP.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i9-12900K has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 3.20 GHz for Intel and 4.00 GHz for AMD, with both reaching 5.20 GHz boost.

The TDP figures diverge substantially: Intel draws 125 W, AMD draws 45 W. Process node and foundry differ as well, with Intel on 10 nm at its own foundry and AMD on 4 nm at TSMC. Die sizes are 215 mm² for Intel and 178 mm² for AMD, with AMD's transistor count listed at 25,000 million.

Cache configurations vary across all levels: Intel uses 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core versus AMD's 64 KB and 1 MB, and Intel's shared L3 is 30 MB versus AMD's 16 MB. Memory support differs, with Intel accepting DDR4 and DDR5 while AMD accepts only DDR5, and memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s for Intel versus 89.6 GB/s for AMD. PCIe generations and lane counts differ: Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes, AMD uses Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 versus Radeon 780M. Intel is a desktop part on Socket 1700; AMD is mobile on Socket FP7. Intel has an unlocked multiplier, AMD does not.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i9-12900K wins in: All multi-threaded rendering workloads. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 60% lead, R20 shows 38.9%, and R23 shows 3.8%. PassMark multi-thread is 35.7% higher. Floating point math is the biggest single win at 66.1%, with integer math at 34.5%. Data compression (45.7%), encryption (35.6%), and physics (55.2%) all favor Intel. Extended instructions (21.5%) and random string sorting (27.8%) also go to Intel. Even in Cinebench R20 single-core, Intel leads by 39%, and PassMark single-thread is 5.5% ahead.

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS wins in: Two specific single-core benchmarks. Cinebench R23 single-core delivers a 43.6% advantage, and Cinebench R15 single-core is 19% ahead. These wins suggest a strength in lightly-threaded scenarios where the higher 4.00 GHz base clock and newer 4 nm process can shine. The chip also benefits from a lower 45 W TDP, making it suited for mobile systems where power efficiency matters more than raw multi-thread performance. Its 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth is higher than Intel's, and it uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, offering more total lanes for I/O expansion in a mobile context.