AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 vs Intel Core i9-12900HX Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 and Intel Core i9-12900HX represent two fundamentally different approaches to high-performance computing: one is a desktop processor aimed at professional workstations, the other a mobile chip built for flagship laptops. The benchmark data reveals a stark split between single-threaded efficiency and raw multi-threaded throughput, with Intel dominating the latter by a wide margin while AMD claims a surprising victory in one critical single-core test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are lopsided in favor of the Intel Core i9-12900HX, which wins 15 of the 17 comparisons. The most dramatic Intel victories come in heavily parallel workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 3566 against AMD’s 2232, a 37.4% advantage. That gap widens further in PassMark floating point math, where Intel’s 84410 eclipses AMD’s 52105 by 38.3%. Physics simulation shows the largest delta of all: Intel’s 2012 score is 44.9% higher than AMD’s 1109, indicating a substantial edge in tasks that scale with core count and memory bandwidth.

Other notable Intel wins include data compression (400636 vs 314363, a 21.5% lead), integer math (113416 vs 94884, 16.3% ahead), and multi-threaded PassMark (33158 vs 26054, 21.4% higher). In Cinebench R20 multi-core, Intel’s 11764 beats AMD’s 9300 by 20.9%, though the margin narrows considerably in R23 multi-core: 23150 vs 22145, a 4.3% difference. This suggests that as the workload becomes more demanding, the AMD chip’s efficiency helps it close the gap.

The picture flips dramatically in single-threaded tests, where AMD wins two of three comparisons. The biggest surprise is Cinebench R23 single-core: AMD scores 3126 against Intel’s 1912.5, a 63.5% advantage. This is a massive outlier, given that in Cinebench R15 single-core AMD wins by a modest 12.9% (314 vs 278), and in PassMark single-thread Intel actually wins by 8.1% (3745 vs 3442). The R23 single-core result is almost certainly a measurement anomaly or reflects a specific frequency/boost behavior under that benchmark’s load profile, but the data is what it is: AMD has a 63.5% lead in that test.

Intel counters in Cinebench R20 single-core, winning 1660 vs 1312 (a 21% lead). The PassMark single-thread score of 3745 for Intel versus 3442 for AMD confirms that Intel generally holds the edge in everyday single-threaded responsiveness. Yet the R23 single-core result cannot be ignored—it suggests that under sustained single-thread load, the AMD Zen 3 architecture can deliver exceptional performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HX wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, including all multi-threaded Cinebench and PassMark workloads. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 wins only two: Cinebench R15 single-core and Cinebench R23 single-core.

Q: How large is Intel’s advantage in multi-threaded performance?

A: Intel leads by 37.4% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 20.9% in R20 multi-core, and 4.3% in R23 multi-core. In PassMark multithread, Intel’s 33158 beats AMD’s 26054 by 21.4%. The most extreme delta is in physics simulation, where Intel is 44.9% ahead.

Q: Is the AMD processor competitive in any single-threaded test?

A: Yes. AMD wins Cinebench R23 single-core by a 63.5% margin (3126 vs 1912.5) and Cinebench R15 single-core by 12.9% (314 vs 278). However, Intel wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 21% and PassMark single-thread by 8.1%.

Q: What does the average benchmark score indicate about overall performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 has an average benchmark score of 35802, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i9-12900HX averages 35003, sitting in the 84th percentile. Despite losing most head-to-head tests, AMD has a slightly higher average score, suggesting its wins are in less heavily weighted tests.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: AMD’s closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, which scores 35909 (0.3% higher). Intel’s closest rival is the Intel Core i7-13800H, scoring 34988 (virtually identical, 0% delta). Both chips sit in a crowded performance band where 0.4% separates them from their nearest competitors.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, double the core count and 50% more threads than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845, which has 8 cores and 16 threads. This core advantage directly explains Intel’s dominance in multi-threaded benchmarks.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-12900HX is the clear choice for heavily threaded workloads that can saturate its 16 cores and 24 threads. The data shows massive wins in physics simulation (44.9% ahead), floating point math (38.3% ahead), and Cinebench R15 multi-core (37.4% ahead). Content creation tasks that involve rendering, simulation, or video encoding will benefit from these margins. Data compression also favors Intel heavily (21.5% ahead), making it suitable for archive management and database operations. Integer math (16.3% ahead) and extended instructions (13.2% ahead) round out Intel’s advantage in general-purpose compute.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 wins in two specific scenarios. First, Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 63.5% advantage, which could indicate exceptional sustained single-thread performance under specific thermal or power conditions. Second, Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 12.9% lead. For tasks that rely on a single thread for extended periods—such as legacy software, certain scripting workloads, or lightly-threaded CAD tools—AMD appears competitive, though the PassMark single-thread result (Intel winning by 8.1%) complicates this picture. The AMD chip also has the higher average benchmark score (35802 vs 35003), suggesting it performs better across a broader range of mixed workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every fundamental specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i9-12900HX offers 16 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks differ: AMD runs at 3.40 GHz, Intel at 2.30 GHz. Boost clocks reverse the order: AMD boosts to 4.60 GHz, Intel to 5.00 GHz. Thermal design power also differs: AMD is rated at 65W, Intel at 55W, meaning Intel claims higher peak performance within a lower power envelope.

Socket and form factor are entirely different: AMD uses the desktop AM4 socket, while Intel uses the mobile BGA 1964 package. Memory support varies: AMD supports DDR4 only, Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is listed at 51.2 GB/s for AMD, with no figure given for Intel. ECC memory support is present in both. PCIe generations differ: AMD uses Gen 4 with 20 lanes, Intel uses Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Intel includes integrated UHD Graphics 770, while AMD has no integrated graphics listed. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, AMD’s is locked. The Intel part numbers to a launch MSRP of $606.

Architecture Differences

AMD’s Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 is built on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, using a 7 nm process at TSMC. It packs 4,150 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. The cache layout is 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3. This is a mature, power-efficient design focused on desktop productivity.

Intel’s Core i9-12900HX uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-HX, on Intel’s 10 nm process. The die size is significantly larger at 215 mm², though transistor count is not listed. Cache differs: 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3. The Alder Lake-HX design is a hybrid architecture, though the fact pack does not specify performance and efficiency core counts—only the total 16 cores and 24 threads. Intel’s process node is older (10 nm vs 7 nm) but compensates with higher boost clocks and more cores. The Intel chip also supports Gen 5 PCIe, a generational leap over AMD’s Gen 4.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for multi-threaded workloads: the Intel Core i9-12900HX is the superior processor. With 16 cores versus 8, Intel wins every multi-threaded test by margins ranging from 4.3% to 44.9%. For rendering, simulation, compression, and math-heavy tasks, Intel is the clear choice. The 24 threads provide headroom for heavily parallel software, and the 55W TDP suggests it can deliver this performance in a mobile form factor.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 is the pick for specific single-threaded scenarios, particularly where the Cinebench R23 single-core result (63.5% ahead) is representative. Its 65W TDP and desktop AM4 socket make it a workstation part, and its higher average benchmark score (35802 vs 35003) indicates broader mixed-workload competence. The lack of integrated graphics means a discrete GPU is mandatory, but for professional desktop users who prioritize a specific set of single-threaded applications—and who value the 85th percentile ranking—AMD offers a compelling alternative.

The choice hinges on workload type. If the software scales across cores, Intel’s 15 benchmark wins make it the obvious winner. If single-threaded performance is the bottleneck, AMD’s two wins—especially the massive R23 margin—warrant a closer look. The Intel chip’s $606 launch MSRP and unlocked multiplier also position it as a high-end mobile part, while AMD’s locked multiplier and desktop socket target a different, more stationary use case. For most users, the data favors Intel; for a niche set of single-threaded applications, AMD remains relevant.