Core i7-12650HX vs Ryzen 9 5980HX

Core i7-12650HX vs Ryzen 9 5980HX Performance Spectrum

Core i7-12650HX

14 / 20

23,215

0.0%

23,300

+0.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i7-12650HX vs Ryzen 9 5980HX FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-12650HX vs Ryzen 9 5980HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-12650HX

2022

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of FP6 and DDR4.
✅200% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5980HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (23,215 vs 23,300).
❌22.2% higher power demand at 55W vs 45W.

Ryzen 9 5980HX

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 55W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Older platform position on FP6 with DDR4, while Core i7-12650HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5980HX better than Core i7-12650HX?

Yes. Ryzen 9 5980HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 5980HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 5980HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 9 5980HX still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 9 5980HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-12650HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of FP6, and 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-12650HX vs Ryzen 9 5980HX Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-12650HX

The Core i7-12650HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 23,215 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 9 5980HX

The Ryzen 9 5980HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 January 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne-HX (Zen 3) (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 23,300 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-12650HX packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5980HX offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-12650HX has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-12650HX versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5980HX — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5980HX (base: 2 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-12650HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5980HX uses Cezanne-HX (Zen 3) (2021) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12650HX scores 23,215 against the Ryzen 9 5980HX's 23,300 — a 0.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 5980HX. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-12650HX vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 5980HX.

Feature	Core i7-12650HX	Ryzen 9 5980HX
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	4.8 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.3 GHz+65%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)+50%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-HX (2022)	Cezanne-HX (Zen 3) (2021)
PassMark	23,215	23,300
Geekbench 6 Single	2,400	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,250	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12650HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 5980HX uses FP6 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12650HX versus LPDDR4-4266 on the Ryzen 9 5980HX — the Core i7-12650HX supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-12650HX supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i7-12650HX) vs 16 (Ryzen 9 5980HX) — the Core i7-12650HX offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-12650HX	Ryzen 9 5980HX
Socket	FCBGA1964	FP6
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+13%	LPDDR4-4266
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	48+200%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12650HX) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5980HX). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12650HX) and Radeon Graphics (8CU) (Ryzen 9 5980HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12650HX targets Gaming Laptop, Ryzen 9 5980HX targets Mobile High-End.

Feature	Core i7-12650HX	Ryzen 9 5980HX
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Radeon Graphics (8CU)
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming Laptop	Mobile High-End