AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H vs Intel Core i7-12800HX Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H has 8 cores and 16 threads. This is a 8-core and 8-thread difference in favor of Intel.

Q: What is the performance percentile ranking for each chip?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800HX sits at the 84th percentile among all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H is at the 83rd percentile. The average benchmark scores are 33875 for Intel and 33201 for AMD, a gap of roughly 2%.

Q: How do they compare in single-threaded workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 1812 versus AMD’s 1615, a 12.2% advantage. In PassMark single-thread, Intel scores 3711 versus AMD’s 3326, an 11.6% edge. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows a tie at 260 for both.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-12800HX boosts to 4.80 GHz. AMD has a 0.10 GHz higher boost clock, yet Intel still wins most single-threaded benchmarks.

Q: What are the process node and foundry differences?

A: Intel uses a 10 nm process from its own foundry, while AMD uses a 6 nm process from TSMC. The die sizes are similar: Intel at 215 mm² and AMD at 208 mm².

Q: Which CPU supports PCIe Gen 5?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800HX supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). This gives Intel a newer PCIe generation for compatible devices.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-12800HX is built on Alder Lake architecture with the Alder Lake-HX codename, using a 10 nm process fabricated by Intel. It features a hybrid design with 16 cores and 24 threads, combining performance and efficiency cores. The L1 cache is 80 KB per core, L2 is 1.25 MB per core, and L3 is 25 MB shared. It supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, but ECC memory is not supported. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H uses Zen 3+ architecture with the Rembrandt codename, fabricated on a 6 nm process by TSMC. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, all based on a monolithic design. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core, L2 is 512 KB per core, and L3 is 16 MB shared. It supports DDR5 memory only, in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported. The integrated graphics are Radeon 680M.

Key architectural differences: Intel has a larger L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB), more L2 cache per core (1.25 MB vs 512 KB), and more L1 per core (80 KB vs 64 KB). AMD has a smaller die (208 mm² vs 215 mm²) and a more advanced process node (6 nm vs 10 nm). Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD only supports DDR5. Intel’s PCIe is Gen 5, AMD’s is Gen 4. Intel has an unlocked multiplier, AMD does not. Intel’s TDP is 55 W, AMD’s is 45 W.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a decisive pattern: the Intel Core i7-12800HX wins every head-to-head comparison against the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H, with 15 wins and 0 losses. Intel dominates in multi-threaded workloads, as expected from its 16-core, 24-thread configuration, but it also leads in single-threaded tests.

For heavily parallel tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, code compilation, and scientific simulations, Intel’s extra cores and threads provide a substantial advantage. The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows Intel at 22456 versus AMD’s 13501, a 66.3% lead. Similarly, in PassMark multithread, Intel scores 31585 versus 23770, a 32.9% advantage.

For data compression and encryption workloads, Intel also leads: data compression shows 387535 versus 297936 (30.1% ahead), and data encryption shows 21972 versus 18673 (17.7% ahead). Integer math and floating-point math, both heavily used in scientific and financial applications, favor Intel by 26.2% and 68.2% respectively.

For single-threaded applications like office productivity, web browsing, and light gaming, Intel holds a smaller but consistent edge. Cinebench R23 single-core is 1812 versus 1615 (12.2% ahead), and PassMark single-thread is 3711 versus 3326 (11.6% ahead). The Cinebench R15 single-core test is a tie at 260.

AMD’s advantages are not visible in benchmark wins. However, its lower TDP of 45 W versus Intel’s 55 W suggests potential efficiency benefits in sustained workloads, and its 6 nm process may offer better power characteristics. The Radeon 680M integrated graphics may also be more capable than Intel’s UHD Graphics 770, though no benchmark data in the database compares them directly.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-12800HX | AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H |

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

| Cores | 16 | 8 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2000.00 MHz | 3300.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1964 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 3+ |

| Codename | Alder Lake-HX | Rembrandt |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 6 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 208 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 25 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

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

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $457 | Not listed |

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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for Intel comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where Intel scores 108 versus AMD’s 62, a 74.2% advantage. This test is highly sensitive to core count and per-core integer performance, and Intel’s hybrid architecture excels here.

Second is PassMark floating-point math: Intel scores 82122 versus 48821, a 68.2% lead. This is another heavily parallel workload where 16 cores outperform 8 cores by a wide margin.

Third is Cinebench R23 multicore: Intel scores 22456 versus 13501, a 66.3% lead. This is a realistic rendering workload that scales well with thread count, and Intel’s 24 threads give it a massive advantage.

Cinebench R15 multicore shows a 57.1% lead for Intel (3383 versus 2153), and PassMark physics shows a 56.3% lead (1743 versus 1115). PassMark random string sorting favors Intel by 37.6% (42453 versus 30859), and PassMark multithread favors Intel by 32.9% (31585 versus 23770).

PassMark data compression shows Intel at 387535 versus 297936, a 30.1% advantage. PassMark integer math shows 109968 versus 87132, a 26.2% lead. PassMark data encryption shows 21972 versus 18673, a 17.7% advantage. PassMark extended instructions shows 23760 versus 20302, a 17% lead.

The smallest wins for Intel are in single-threaded tests: Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1812 versus 1615, a 12.2% lead, and PassMark single-thread shows 3711 versus 3326, an 11.6% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core is a tie at 260.

The pattern is clear: Intel wins everywhere, but the margins are largest in multi-threaded and math-heavy workloads. The single-thread lead is modest, around 12%, while the multi-thread lead ranges from 30% to over 70%.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i7-12800HX wins all 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H. There is no benchmark in the database where AMD comes out ahead.

For users who run multi-threaded workloads, the choice is obvious. Intel’s 16 cores and 24 threads deliver 66.3% higher Cinebench R23 multicore scores and 68.2% higher floating-point math scores. Rendering, simulation, and data processing tasks will finish much faster on Intel.

For single-threaded tasks, Intel still leads, but the margin is smaller. The 12.2% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 11.6% lead in PassMark single-thread mean that everyday applications like web browsing and office work will feel slightly snappier on Intel, but the difference is less dramatic.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H has its strengths, including a 45 W TDP versus Intel’s 55 W, a 6 nm process versus 10 nm, and a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. It also supports DDR5 with a listed memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. However, these advantages do not translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data.

The average benchmark scores place Intel at 33875 versus AMD’s 33201, a gap of about 2%. Both chips rank similarly in percentile (84th versus 83rd), suggesting they are close in overall performance. But the head-to-head data shows that Intel’s wins are consistent and often large.

Who should pick Intel: users who prioritize multi-threaded performance, content creators, developers, and anyone running parallel workloads. The 30% to 70% advantages in multi-threaded tests are substantial and will translate to real time savings.

Who should pick AMD: users who value efficiency, need a lower TDP for thinner laptops, or prefer the Radeon 680M integrated graphics. The 45 W TDP and 6 nm process may offer better battery life. However, for pure CPU performance, the data favors Intel in every measured category.