AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS vs Intel Core i7-12650HX Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-12650HX is the stronger all-around performer in this comparison, winning 10 of the 15 head-to-head benchmark matchups. Its decisive advantages come in heavily threaded workloads and single-core responsiveness. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS wins 5 matchups, all of which are specialized data-processing tasks. For users running Cinebench-style rendering, physics simulation, or single-threaded applications, the Intel chip is the clear choice. For workloads dominated by encryption, compression, or extended instruction sets, the AMD chip holds the edge.

The database places both processors at the same 82nd percentile among all CPUs. The AMD chip's average benchmark score is 31850, while the Intel chip records 31290. The AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-14450HX (0.6% lower) and the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS (0.8% higher). The Intel's nearest rivals include the Intel Core 9 273PTE (0.5% higher) and the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX (0.6% lower). These surrounding scores indicate both are mid-tier performers in the current mobile landscape, with the Intel chip slightly behind in aggregate average but ahead in the most demanding tests.

For a mobile workstation or high-performance laptop, the Intel Core i7-12650HX is the pick when sustained multi-core rendering or high single-thread speed matters. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS is the pick when data-heavy workloads, such as encryption or compression, are the primary use case. Neither chip is a clear overall winner; the choice depends entirely on the workload mix.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. AMD's Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS uses the Zen 3+ architecture on a 6 nm process from TSMC, with the codename Rembrandt. Intel's Core i7-12650HX uses the Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process from Intel's own foundry, codenamed Alder Lake-HX.

The core counts differ significantly. The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel chip has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel part uses a hybrid design (performance and efficiency cores), though the database does not break down core types. The thread advantage of 20 versus 16 gives the Intel part a structural lead in parallel workloads, which is visible in its Cinebench R23 multicore score.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has more total cache, which contributes to its lead in some latency-sensitive workloads.

Memory support diverges. The AMD chip supports only DDR5, with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not listed in the database. Neither chip supports ECC memory.

The integrated graphics differ. AMD uses the Radeon 680M, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. The database does not provide graphics benchmarks, so no performance comparison can be made here.

The AMD chip is built on a 208 mm² die, the Intel on a 215 mm² die. The AMD uses an AMD Socket FP7, while the Intel uses Intel BGA 1964. The AMD chip has a locked multiplier, while the Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, making the Intel part more flexible for enthusiast overclocking if the laptop platform permits it.

The PCIe specifications differ. The AMD chip offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). This gives the Intel a potential bandwidth advantage for compatible storage or discrete GPUs, though the database does not include tests that isolate this.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the Intel chip is the Cinebench R23 multicore test. The Intel scores 19043 versus the AMD's 11515, a 39.5% difference. That is a massive lead, driven by the Intel's extra cores and threads. Similarly, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel scores 2688 against the AMD's 1514, a 43.7% lead.

The Intel also wins the Cinebench R15 tests, though by smaller margins. In R15 multicore, the Intel scores 1919 versus 1913, only a 0.3% difference. In R15 single-core, the Intel scores 270 versus 239, an 11.5% lead.

The Intel wins floating-point math with 58426 versus 48096, a 17.7% edge. In physics simulation (Passmark Physics), the Intel scores 1152 against 1043, a 9.5% lead. The Intel also wins find-prime-numbers (74 versus 56, a 24.3% lead) and random string sorting (29692 versus 29350, a 1.2% lead). In single-thread Passmark, the Intel scores 3637 against 3400, a 6.5% lead.

The AMD chip's biggest win is in data encryption: 17837 versus 15325, a 16.4% margin. It also wins extended instructions (18897 versus 15856, a 19.2% lead) and data compression (282624 versus 266700, a 6% edge). In integer math, the AMD wins 88124 versus 81810, a 7.7% lead. The AMD also edges out the Intel in the Passmark multithread score: 22775 versus 22573, a 0.9% margin.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS | Intel Core i7-12650HX |

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

| Cores | 8 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base clock | 3.30 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 55 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Architecture | Zen 3+ | Alder Lake |

| Process node | 6 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | AMD | Intel |

| Die size | 208 mm² | 215 mm² |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 16 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 680M | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release date | 2022-04-18 | 2022-05-09 |

The Intel has a higher TDP (55 W versus 35 W), which explains its ability to sustain higher multi-core performance in longer workloads, though it also implies higher thermal requirements. The AMD has a higher boost clock (4.90 GHz versus 4.70 GHz) and a lower base clock (3.30 GHz versus 2.00 GHz). The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, making it more flexible for laptop memory configurations. The AMD supports only DDR5.

FAQ

Q: Which chip has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-12650HX wins every single-core test in the database. It leads by 11.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 43.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core, and 6.5% in Passmark single-thread.

Q: Why does the Intel chip win Cinebench R23 multicore by such a large margin?

A: The Intel has 14 cores and 20 threads versus the AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 19043 is 39.5% higher than the AMD's 11515.

Q: Are there any workloads where the AMD chip is faster?

A: Yes. The AMD wins in data encryption (16.4% faster), extended instructions (19.2% faster), data compression (6% faster), integer math (7.7% faster), and the Passmark multithread test (0.9% faster).

Q: Do both chips support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS and the Intel Core i7-12650HX have ECC memory support set to false in the database.

Q: Is the Intel chip overclockable?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i7-12650HX has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Q: Which chip has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core i7-12650HX has a TDP of 55 W, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS has a TDP of 35 W.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12650HX is the winner for multi-threaded rendering and high-frequency single-core tasks. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score (19043) is 39.5% higher than the AMD's (11515), making it the better choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, and any workload that scales across many threads. Its single-core lead of 43.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core makes it the better pick for lightly-threaded applications such as web browsers, office suites, or older games that rely on one or two strong cores. The Intel also wins in floating-point math (17.7% higher) and physics (9.5% higher), which points to an advantage in scientific calculations and physics-based simulations.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS is the winner for data-oriented and security-heavy workloads. Its data encryption score (17837) is 16.4% higher than the Intel's (15325), and its extended-instructions score (18897) is 19.2% higher. These results indicate a strong edge in cryptography, checksum, and SIMD-heavy code. The AMD also wins in integer math (7.7% higher) and data compression (6% higher), making it the better pick for file archiving, database operations, and general integer computation. The AMD's Passmark multithread score (22775) is slightly higher than the Intel's (22573), a 0.9% edge, which shows it can hold its own in mixed-thread workloads despite having fewer cores.

For users who prioritize battery life and thermal headroom, the AMD's 35 W TDP versus the Intel's 55 W TDP suggests it will generate less heat and drain the battery more slowly in sustained loads, though the database does not include battery tests. For users who demand maximum raw performance in rendering, physics, and single-core tasks, the Intel chip is the only choice. For users who process large datasets, handle encryption, or run compression algorithms, the AMD chip is the better option.