Core i7-12850HX vs Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS

Intel

Core i7-12850HX

16 Cores24 Thrd55 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2022
Core family
·······
VS
AMD

Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS

8 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 5.2 GHz2024

Core i7-12850HX vs Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS 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 i7-12850HX vs Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS 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 i7-12850HX vs Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-12850HX

2022

Why buy it

  • +56.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (30,596 vs 30,689).
  • 22.2% higher power demand at 55W vs 45W.

Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS

2024

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +16.9% 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 25 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS better than Core i7-12850HX?
Yes. Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.9% 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 PRO 8945HS is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 16/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-12850HX vs Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-12850HX

The Core i7-12850HX 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 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 25 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: 30,596 points. Launch price was $499.

AMD

Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS

The Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 April 2024 (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 (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 30,689 points. Launch price was $499.

Processing Power

The Core i7-12850HX packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-12850HX has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-12850HX versus 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS — a 8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS (base: 2.1 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i7-12850HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS uses Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12850HX scores 30,596 against the Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS's 30,689 — a 0.3% lead for the Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12850HX vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS.

FeatureCore i7-12850HXRyzen 9 PRO 8945HS
Cores / Threads
16 / 24+100%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz
5.2 GHz+8%
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
4 GHz+90%
L3 Cache
25 MB (total)+56%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+25%
1 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
4 nm-43%
Architecture
Alder Lake-HX (2022)
Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024)
PassMark
30,596
30,689
Cinebench R23 Multi
16,529
Geekbench 6 Single
2,617
Geekbench 6 Multi
13,098
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12850HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS uses FP7 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12850HX versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS — the Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS 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.

FeatureCore i7-12850HXRyzen 9 PRO 8945HS
Socket
FCBGA1964
FP7
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
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12850HX) vs AMD-V, SVM (Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12850HX) and Radeon 780M (Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12850HX targets Mobile Workstation, Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS targets Professional AI Business Laptop. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS rivals Core Ultra 9 185H.

FeatureCore i7-12850HXRyzen 9 PRO 8945HS
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 770
Radeon 780M
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V, SVM
Target Use
Mobile Workstation
Professional AI Business Laptop