AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X vs Intel Core i7-12800HE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X across all six shared Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i7-12800HE trails by a consistent margin in every workload, with the delta hovering around 4.5% to 4.6% in each case. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Threadripper scores 2362 against the Intel part's 2253, a 4.6% deficit. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 333 for AMD versus 318 for Intel, a 4.5% gap.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD chip posts 9844 in multicore while the Intel processor manages 9391, again a 4.6% difference. The single-core R20 numbers are 1389 versus 1325, with the same relative gap. Cinebench R23 multicore shows the Threadripper at 23440 and the Core i7 at 22360, a 4.6% lead for AMD. The R23 single-core test completes the sweep with 3309 against 3156, once more a 4.6% edge.

The consistency of these deltas is notable. Every single-core and multicore test returns nearly identical percentage margins, which suggests the performance difference is structural rather than workload-dependent. The Threadripper does not excel in one specific area; it simply maintains a steady advantage across the board. For the Intel part, the closest it comes is in R15 single-core, where the deficit is 4.5%, but even that is not enough to flip any result.

The average benchmark score tells a similar story. The Intel Core i7-12800HE has an average score of 6467, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X sits at 6231. This is an interesting divergence: the Intel chip has a higher average across its recorded benchmarks, yet it loses every head-to-head comparison. The explanation lies in the test sets. The Intel part's average includes only Cinebench results, while the AMD chip's average also incorporates Geekbench scores. The Threadripper's Geekbench multicore score is 7989 and its single-core score is 1183, both of which drag its average downward relative to its Cinebench performance.

Looking at the nearest rivals in the database, both processors sit at the 62nd percentile against all CPUs. The Intel Core i7-12800HE's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon D-2796TE with an average score of 6510, a 0.7% difference. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U at 6247, a 0.3% gap. These percentile positions confirm that both parts occupy the same general performance tier, even though their architectural approaches differ dramatically.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-12800HE is built on Alder Lake architecture, specifically the Alder Lake-H variant, using a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It features 14 cores and 20 threads, which indicates a hybrid configuration with performance and efficiency cores. The base clock is 2.40 GHz with a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. Its thermal design power is 45 watts, reflecting its mobile market segment. The socket is Intel BGA 1744, and the die size measures 217 mm².

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X uses the original Zen architecture, codenamed Zen (Whitehaven), manufactured on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It has 16 cores and 32 threads, all based on a conventional homogeneous core design. The base clock is 3.40 GHz with a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Its thermal design power is 180 watts, a much higher envelope suited to its desktop segment. The socket is AMD Socket SP3r2, and the die is composed of two 213 mm² chiplets, for a combined 426 mm². The package contains 9,600 million transistors, a figure not recorded for the Intel part.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3. The per-core L2 advantage goes to Intel, but the total L3 capacity favors AMD.

Memory support separates the two clearly. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, while the AMD chip supports only DDR4 but in a quad-channel arrangement. The Threadripper's memory bandwidth is recorded at 85.3 GB/s, a figure not listed for the Intel part. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The Intel chip includes integrated graphics in the form of Iris Xe with 96 execution units; the AMD part has no integrated graphics at all.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The Intel Core i7-12800HE provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has no recorded PCIe specification in the database. The Intel part is not multiplier-unlocked, while the AMD chip is fully unlocked for overclocking. The production status for both is listed as active, and the Threadripper's release date is recorded as August 9, 2017.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for raw compute performance. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X wins all six Cinebench comparisons, with a consistent 4.6% lead in most tests. It dominates in both single-core and multicore workloads. The Intel Core i7-12800HE cannot match the Threadripper's scores in any shared benchmark. If the selection criterion is pure Cinebench performance, the AMD part is the clear choice.

However, the Intel chip has its own advantages that are not captured in the Cinebench suite. It offers integrated graphics, which the Threadripper lacks entirely. It supports DDR5 memory, while the Threadripper is limited to DDR4. Its power envelope is dramatically lower: 45 watts versus 180 watts. For mobile or power-constrained environments, the Intel part is the only viable option between the two. The Threadripper is a desktop part with a much higher thermal requirement.

The average benchmark scores complicate the picture slightly. The Intel Core i7-12800HE has a higher average score of 6467, while the Threadripper sits at 6231. This is due to the Geekbench results being included only for the AMD chip, which lower its average. The nearest rivals for each part also show different competitive landscapes. The Intel part competes with Xeon and Core i9 processors in the 6500 range, while the Threadripper's rivals include EPYC parts and Ryzen 3 chips in the 6100 to 6250 range.

For users who need maximum Cinebench throughput and do not care about power draw, the Threadripper is the superior processor. For users who need a mobile platform, integrated graphics, or DDR5 support, the Intel part is the only choice. The overclocking capability of the Threadripper adds another layer for enthusiasts, while the Intel chip's locked multiplier removes that option.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X wins with a score of 23440, compared to the Intel Core i7-12800HE's 22360, a 4.6% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-12800HE have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Iris Xe with 96 execution units. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has no integrated graphics recorded.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The AMD chip supports only DDR4 but in a quad-channel configuration with a recorded bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core i7-12800HE has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X overclockable?

A: Yes, its multiplier is unlocked. The Intel Core i7-12800HE has a locked multiplier.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has a TDP of 180 watts. The Intel Core i7-12800HE is rated at 45 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X wins in every shared benchmark test. Its advantages are most pronounced in multicore workloads, where its 16 cores and 32 threads provide a structural edge. It also wins in single-core tests, despite having a lower boost clock of 4.00 GHz compared to the Intel's 4.60 GHz. The Threadripper's base clock of 3.40 GHz is also higher than the Intel's 2.40 GHz. This combination of higher base clock and more cores gives it a consistent lead across all Cinebench versions.

The Intel Core i7-12800HE wins in areas not covered by the benchmark suite. It has a higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz, which may benefit burst workloads that are not represented in the Cinebench tests. Its 10 nm process node is smaller than the AMD's 14 nm, which contributes to its much lower power envelope. The integrated Iris Xe graphics make it suitable for systems that need display output without a discrete GPU. Its DDR5 support provides a path to newer memory technologies, even though the recorded bandwidth is not listed for the Intel part.

In terms of platform flexibility, the Intel chip's socket is Intel BGA 1744, which is a mobile package, while the Threadripper uses AMD Socket SP3r2, a desktop socket. The Threadripper's release date of August 9, 2017, places it in an earlier generation, but its production status remains active. The Intel part is from the Core 12th Gen series, which is a newer architecture generation.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in almost every recorded specification. The Intel Core i7-12800HE has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks are 2.40 GHz for Intel and 3.40 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 4.60 GHz for Intel and 4.00 GHz for AMD. Thermal design power is 45 watts for Intel and 180 watts for AMD.

The sockets are entirely different: Intel BGA 1744 versus AMD Socket SP3r2. The architectures are Alder Lake versus Zen, with process nodes of 10 nm and 14 nm respectively. The foundries are Intel and GlobalFoundries. Die sizes are 217 mm² for Intel and 2x 213 mm² for AMD. The AMD part has 9,600 million transistors, while the Intel part has no recorded transistor count.

Cache configurations differ across all levels. L1 is 80 KB per core for Intel and 96 KB per core for AMD. L2 is 1.25 MB per core for Intel and 512 KB per core for AMD. L3 is 24 MB shared for Intel and 32 MB for AMD. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 for Intel, while AMD supports only DDR4. Memory bus is dual-channel for Intel and quad-channel for AMD. The memory bandwidth is recorded only for AMD at 85.3 GB/s.

Integrated graphics are present only on the Intel chip, with Iris Xe 96EU. The AMD part has none. PCIe support is Gen 4 with 20 lanes for Intel, with no recorded specification for AMD. The Intel chip is not multiplier-unlocked, while the AMD chip is. Market segments are Mobile for Intel and Desktop for AMD. Release dates are not recorded for Intel, while AMD's is August 9, 2017. The launch MSRP for the Threadripper is $999, while no MSRP is recorded for the Intel part.