Core i7-12700F vs Ryzen 9 8945H

Intel

Core i7-12700F

12 Cores20 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 9 8945H

8 Cores16 Thrd8 WWMax: 5.2 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Core i7-12700F vs Ryzen 9 8945H Performance Spectrum

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 i7-12700F vs Ryzen 9 8945H 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 i7-12700F vs Ryzen 9 8945H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-12700F

2022

Why buy it

  • +22.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • +56.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Laminar RM1), unlike Ryzen 9 8945H.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 8945H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $314 MSRP, while Ryzen 9 8945H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 712.5% higher power demand at 65W vs 8W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 8945H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 9 8945H

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +10.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 8W instead of 65W, a 57W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 780M, while Core i7-12700F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,500 vs 21,500).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 25 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-12700F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 8945H better than Core i7-12700F?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 9 8945H is ahead with a 10.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700F pulls ahead with 22.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i7-12700F also has the bigger cache pool with 56.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-12700F is the stronger fit. You are getting 22.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 56.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 9 8945H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-12700F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 9 8945H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $314 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-12700F is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 22.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i7-12700F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (96.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 9 8945H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-12700F vs Ryzen 9 8945H Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-12700F

The Core i7-12700F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 30,332 points. Launch price was $386.

AMD

Ryzen 9 8945H

The Ryzen 9 8945H is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP7r2/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 30,240 points. Launch price was $499.

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700F packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 9 8945H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-12700F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-12700F versus 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 8945H — a 5.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 8945H (base: 2.1 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i7-12700F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 8945H uses Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700F scores 30,332 against the Ryzen 9 8945H's 30,240 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-12700F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 21,500 vs 17,500 (20.5% advantage for the Core i7-12700F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,388 vs 2,617, a 9.2% lead for the Ryzen 9 8945H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,448 vs 12,662 (1.7% advantage for the Ryzen 9 8945H). L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700F vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 9 8945H.

FeatureCore i7-12700FRyzen 9 8945H
Cores / Threads
12 / 20+50%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz
5.2 GHz+6%
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
4 GHz+90%
L3 Cache
25 MB (total)+56%
16 MB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
8 MB+540%
Process
Intel 7 nm
4 nm-43%
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024)
PassMark
30,332
30,240
Cinebench R23 Multi
21,500+23%
17,500
Geekbench 6 Single
2,388
2,617+10%
Geekbench 6 Multi
12,448
12,662+2%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 8945H uses FP7/FP7r2/FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12700F versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 9 8945H — the Ryzen 9 8945H supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 8945H supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760,Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700F) and FP7,FP7r2,FP8 (Ryzen 9 8945H).

FeatureCore i7-12700FRyzen 9 8945H
Socket
LGA1700
FP7/FP7r2/FP8
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800
DDR5-5600+17%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
256 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Ryzen 9 8945H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-12700F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 8945H). The Ryzen 9 8945H includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the Core i7-12700F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12700F targets High-performance Gaming / Productivity, Ryzen 9 8945H targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700F rivals Ryzen 7 5800X; Ryzen 9 8945H rivals Core i9-13900H.

FeatureCore i7-12700FRyzen 9 8945H
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon 780M
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
High-performance Gaming / Productivity
Gaming