AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G vs Intel Core i9-12900KS Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G and the Intel Core i9-12900KS are both active desktop processors, but they occupy very different positions in the database. The AMD part is a 6-core, 12-thread chip on AMD Socket AM5, built on a 4 nm TSMC process with a 65 W TDP, while the Intel part is a 16-core, 24-thread chip on Intel Socket 1700, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a 150 W TDP. In the 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons recorded in the database, the Intel Core i9-12900KS wins every single one. Both processors sit at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are close: 46187 for the AMD and 45094 for the Intel.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-12900KS is the faster processor in every recorded head-to-head test. Its 16 cores and 24 threads deliver a 46.3% lead in passmark multithread (43698 versus 23487), a 59% lead in floating point math (111429 versus 45711), and a 51.7% lead in integer math (147575 versus 71251). For workloads that stress data compression, encryption, or extended instructions, the Intel is similarly dominant, with leads of 48.1%, 56.7%, and 41.2% respectively.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G is not without strengths. It trails by only 6.2% in passmark single thread (4060 versus 4330), which is the narrowest margin in the entire head-to-head set. It also carries a 65 W TDP against the Intel's 150 W, supports a higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s, and is built on a newer 4 nm process from TSMC. Its integrated Radeon 840M graphics and DDR5-only memory support further differentiate it.

Who should pick which? Users who need maximum throughput in multi-threaded, math-heavy, or encryption-heavy tasks should choose the Intel Core i9-12900KS. Users who want a lower-power desktop part with a newer process, higher memory bandwidth, and a Radeon 840M iGPU, and who can accept a 6.2% single-thread deficit, should consider the AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G. The Intel carries a launch MSRP of $739; the AMD has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The two processors differ at nearly every architectural level. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G uses the Gorgon Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI 400 generation built on Zen 5 / Zen 5c cores, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i9-12900KS uses the Alder Lake-S codename and belongs to the Core i9 (Alder Lake-S) generation, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process. The AMD die measures 195 mm², while the Intel die measures 215 mm².

Cache hierarchies diverge as well. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core. The AMD has 1 MB of L2 per core and 8 MB of L3, while the Intel has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 30 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 on the Intel is a significant factor in its multi-threaded wins.

Memory support differs: the AMD supports DDR5 only, in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The AMD's higher bandwidth is notable, but the Intel's flexibility across two memory standards is a practical advantage.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The AMD provides Gen 4 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are the Radeon 840M on the AMD and UHD Graphics 770 on the Intel. Both processors support ECC memory, both have unlocked multipliers, and both are classified as desktop parts with active production status. The AMD was released on 2026-02-28, while the Intel was released on 2022-04-04.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900KS has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How close is the single-thread performance?

A: The Intel leads passmark single thread with 4330 versus 4060, a 6.2% advantage. This is the smallest margin in the head-to-head set.

Q: Which CPU supports more memory types?

A: The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory.

Q: Which has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD has 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the Intel.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The AMD is rated at 65 W, the Intel at 150 W.

Q: Which is the newer release?

A: The AMD was released on 2026-02-28, the Intel on 2022-04-04.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G | Intel Core i9-12900KS |

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

| Cores | 6 | 16 |

| Threads | 12 | 24 |

| Base clock | 2.00 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 150 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Gorgon Point | Alder Lake-S |

| Generation | Ryzen AI 400 (Zen 5 / Zen 5c) | Core i9 (Alder Lake-S) |

| Process node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die size | 195 mm² | 215 mm² |

| L2 per core | 1 MB | 1.25 MB |

| L3 | 8 MB | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 12 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 840M | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Release date | 2026-02-28 | 2022-04-04 |

| Part number | 100-000001918 | SRLDD |

Both processors share an 80 KB L1 per core, support ECC memory, have unlocked multipliers, and are classified as active desktop parts.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head set contains 11 passmark tests, and the Intel Core i9-12900KS wins all 11. The largest margin is in floating point math, where the Intel scores 111429 against the AMD's 45711, a 59% lead. Data encryption follows with 31403 versus 13585, a 56.7% lead. Integer math shows 147575 versus 71251, a 51.7% lead. Random string sorting gives 60539 versus 31106, a 48.6% lead. Data compression gives 563709 versus 292735, a 48.1% lead. Multithread gives 43698 versus 23487, a 46.3% lead. Physics gives 2437 versus 1329, a 45.5% lead. Find prime numbers gives 158 versus 90, a 43% lead. Extended instructions give 35089 versus 20648, a 41.2% lead.

The only close contest is single-thread performance. The Intel scores 4330 against the AMD's 4060, a 6.2% lead. This is the same result recorded twice in the database under passmark single thread and passmark singlethread, both showing 4330 versus 4060. The pattern is consistent: the Intel dominates in every parallel and math-heavy workload, while the AMD is nearly competitive in single-threaded execution.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the Intel Core i9-12900KS wins in every measured category. It is the clear choice for data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithreaded workloads, physics, and random string sorting. The single-thread test is the only area where the AMD comes close, trailing by just 6.2%.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G does hold advantages outside the benchmark set. Its 65 W TDP is less than half the Intel's 150 W. Its memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s exceeds the Intel's 76.8 GB/s. Its 4 nm TSMC process is newer than Intel's 10 nm process, and its die is smaller at 195 mm² versus 215 mm². It also carries a Radeon 840M integrated GPU, while the Intel has UHD Graphics 770.

The database's average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story: the AMD averages 46187, while the Intel averages 45094. The AMD's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i9-13900HX at 46098 (0.2% behind), the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 at 46062 (0.3% behind), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 at 46030 (0.3% behind), and the AMD EPYC 4364P at 45970 (0.5% behind). The Intel's nearest rivals are the AMD EPYC 4344P at 45122 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i5-14600 at 44889 (0.5% behind), the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D at 44573 (1.2% behind), and the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H at 44466 (1.4% behind). Both processors sit at the 89th percentile, but the AMD's average score places it slightly higher in the aggregate ranking.

In practical terms, the Intel is the pick for raw throughput, and the AMD is the pick for a lower-power, newer-process platform with higher memory bandwidth and a Radeon 840M iGPU. The head-to-head data, however, is one-sided: 11 wins for the Intel, 0 for the AMD.