AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 vs Intel Core i9-12900HK Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split: the Intel Core i9-12900HK dominates in multi-threaded workloads, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 takes the single-thread crown. Out of 15 head-to-head comparisons, the Intel chip wins 11, with the AMD chip taking 4.

The most decisive Intel victories come in the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9-12900HK scores 18,288 against the Ryzen AI 7 445's 10,590, a 42.1% advantage. The gap is similar in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where Intel leads 2,786 to 1,723, a 38.2% margin. These are not close contests; the Intel processor is in another class for sustained all-core rendering.

The PassMark suite reinforces that pattern with double-digit Intel wins across nearly every multi-threaded metric. Data compression shows Intel at 294,908 versus 215,812, a 26.8% lead. Data encryption swings even further, with Intel at 17,445 versus 10,519, a 39.7% gap. Integer math, floating point math, and physics all show Intel ahead by margins between 34.8% and 41.7%. Prime number finding is the largest single delta: Intel scores 102 versus 56, a 45.1% advantage.

The Ryzen AI 7 445's wins are narrower but consistent. In Cinebench R23 single-core, AMD scores 1,806 versus Intel's 1,673, a 7.9% edge. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 5% lead at 254 versus 242. PassMark single-thread results are nearly tied, with AMD at 3,591 versus Intel's 3,567, a 0.7% difference. These single-thread wins matter for responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications, but they are small compared to Intel's multi-core margins.

Overall average benchmark scores tell a similar story. The Ryzen AI 7 445 posts an average of 26,936, placing it in the 79th percentile of all CPUs. The i9-12900HK averages 26,469, in the 78th percentile. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-1370P at 26,900 (0.1% behind) and the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G at 27,051 (0.4% ahead). The Intel chip's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-1280P at 26,469, a 0% delta. The average scores are close, but the distribution is not: AMD concentrates its strength in single-thread, Intel spreads its advantage across all-core workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Ryzen AI 7 445 uses AMD's Zen 5 architecture, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC, with the codename Gorgon Point. It belongs to the Ryzen AI 400 generation, which employs a hybrid layout of Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. The Intel i9-12900HK uses Alder Lake, Intel's 12th Gen Core architecture, on a 10 nm process at Intel, with the die size measured at 217 mm².

Core counts diverge sharply. The AMD part has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel part has 14 cores and 20 threads, reflecting its hybrid performance-core and efficiency-core design. Base clocks differ: AMD starts at 2.00 GHz, Intel at 2.50 GHz. Boost clocks also favor Intel: 5.00 GHz versus 4.60 GHz.

Cache hierarchies show distinct strategies. Both allocate 80 KB of L1 per core. The AMD chip has 1 MB of L2 per core and 4 MB of L3. The Intel chip has 1.25 MB of L2 per core but a much larger 24 MB shared L3. That L3 difference is significant for workloads that repeatedly access large datasets.

Memory support and platform features also differ. The Ryzen AI 7 445 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC memory support. The i9-12900HK supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but the database does not record a bandwidth figure for it, and it lacks ECC support. PCIe lanes favor Intel: 20 lanes of Gen 4 versus 14 lanes on AMD. Integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses Radeon 840M, Intel uses Iris Xe with 96 execution units.

Power envelopes are notably different. The Ryzen AI 7 445 has a 28 W TDP, while the i9-12900HK is rated at 45 W. That 17 W difference helps explain the multi-core gap; the Intel chip has more thermal headroom to sustain high clocks across more cores. The Intel part also has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD chip does not.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 445. It wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 7.9% (1,806 versus 1,673) and Cinebench R15 single-core by 5% (254 versus 242). PassMark single-thread shows a smaller 0.7% edge at 3,591 versus 3,567.

Q: How large is Intel's multi-core advantage?

A: It is substantial. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows Intel ahead by 42.1% (18,288 versus 10,590). Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 38.2% lead (2,786 versus 1,723). PassMark multithread shows a 29.5% gap (25,697 versus 18,115).

Q: Do the average benchmark scores reflect these differences?

A: Not fully. The Ryzen AI 7 445 averages 26,936, and the i9-12900HK averages 26,469. The AMD chip sits in the 79th percentile, Intel in the 78th. The averages are close because AMD's single-thread wins offset some of Intel's multi-thread dominance, but the workload-specific results show a clear split.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel i9-12900HK supports DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but the database records no bandwidth figure for it.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel i9-12900HK has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 has 4 MB of L3. Intel also has more L2 per core at 1.25 MB versus AMD's 1 MB.

Q: Are there differences in PCIe connectivity?

A: Yes. The Intel i9-12900HK provides 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 provides 14 PCIe Gen 4 lanes.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 | Intel Core i9-12900HK |

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

| Cores | 6 | 14 |

| Threads | 12 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Alder Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 217 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 14 lanes | Gen 4, 20 lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 840M | Iris Xe 96EU |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2026-01-04 | 2022-01-03 |

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward recommendation based on workload. The i9-12900HK is the choice for multi-threaded productivity. Its 42.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 29.5% lead in PassMark multithread make it the stronger option for video rendering, code compilation, and other all-core tasks. The 14 cores and 20 threads are a structural advantage that no amount of single-thread efficiency can overcome.

The Ryzen AI 7 445 is the pick for single-thread responsiveness and efficiency. It wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 7.9% and Cinebench R15 single-core by 5%, while drawing only 28 W compared to Intel's 45 W. For a thin-and-light laptop where battery life matters more than sustained all-core performance, the AMD chip makes more sense. Its 4 nm process and smaller L3 cache footprint suggest a design tuned for power efficiency rather than raw throughput.

The percentile rankings reinforce this split. Both chips sit near the 79th and 78th percentiles respectively, meaning they are broadly comparable in overall standing. The difference is in the shape of the performance: Intel is a multi-core hammer, AMD is a single-thread scalpel.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i9-12900HK wins in: video rendering and 3D modeling, where Cinebench R23 multi-core's 42.1% advantage translates directly to faster exports. Data compression work, with a 26.8% lead. Encryption workloads, where the 39.7% gap is decisive. Floating point math (38.1% ahead) and integer math (34.8% ahead) favor Intel for scientific computing and financial modeling. The 24 MB shared L3 cache also helps with datasets that exceed AMD's smaller cache.

AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 wins in: single-thread-heavy applications like web browsing, office documents, and general desktop responsiveness, where its 7.9% Cinebench R23 single-core lead matters. Light coding tasks with frequent compile pauses benefit from the higher single-core score. The 28 W TDP makes it better suited for fanless or low-noise designs. ECC memory support is a differentiator for users who need error-checking memory in a mobile platform.

The PassMark extended instructions result is the closest multi-threaded contest, with Intel ahead by only 10% (17,583 versus 15,826). If a workload relies heavily on specialized instruction sets, the gap narrows considerably. But for the majority of all-core workloads, Intel's advantage is between 27% and 45%, a margin that is difficult to ignore.