Intel Core i7-10850H vs AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS vs AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS

Intel Core i7-10850H

The Intel Core i7-10850H is a high-end processor for laptops with six cores based on the Comet Lake architecture (CML-H, 4th generation of Skylake). The processor clocks at between 2.7 and 5.1 GHz (with Thermal Velocity Boost and Turbo Boost 3.0). Using only Turbo Boost 3.0 (when the temperatures don't allow the the Thermal Velocity Boost) a single core can reach 4.9 GHz. All six cores can reach 4.4 GHz. The processor is still manufactured on the old 14nm (14nm++) process. 

The Comet Lake architecture is similar to Coffee Lake and offers the same features and is produced on the same 14nm process. Other than the improved clock rates, the memory controller now also supports faster DDR4-2933 RAM. More information on Comet Lake and all the models and articles on it can be found here.

The Core i7-10850H supports the management features vPro, TXT and SIPP.

Performance

The average 10850H in our database proves to be a somewhat disappointing CPU, only matching the Core i5-10500H and the Ryzen 5 5500U in multi-thread performance. While the Core i7 will have no issue running any app or any game you can install in 2021, there are better options out there both in terms of sheer power and in terms of power efficiency.

Your mileage may vary depending on how high the CPU power limits are, and how competent the cooling solution of your system is.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a similar performance as the UHD 630 in the Core i7-9750H. As a low-end solution it will only run current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.

Power consumption

This Core i7 series chip has a default TDP, also known as the long-term power limit, of 45 W, a value that laptop makers are free to reduce somewhat (with 35 W being the minimum Intel-recommended value) resulting in lower clock speeds and lower performance. Either way, the CPU is way too power-hungry to be the heart of a passively cooled mini-PC, laptop, tablet.

The i7-10850H is manufactured on one of the old 14 nm Intel processes leading to subpar, as of early 2023, energy efficiency.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS is a processor for big (gaming) laptops based on the Cezanne generation. The R7 5800H integrates all eight cores based on the Zen 3 microarchitecture. They are clocked at 2.8 (guaranteed base clock) to 4.4 GHz (Turbo) and support SMT for a total of 16 threads. The chip is manufactured on the modern 7 nm TSMC process. Compared to the 5800H (up to 54 W), the 5800HS is configured to a TDP of 35W.

The new Zen 3 microarchitecture offers a significantly higher IPC (instructions per clock) compared to Zen 2. For desktop processors AMD claims 19 percent on average and in applications reviews showed around 12% gains at the same clock speed.

In addition to the eight CPU cores, the APU also integrates a Radeon RX Vega 8 integrated graphics adapter with 8 CUs (512 shaders) at up to 2,000 MHz. The dual channel memory controller supports dual-channel DDR4-3200 and quad-channel LPDDR4-4266 energy efficient RAM. Furthermore, 16 MB level 3 cache (up from 8 MB at the 4800U) can be found on the chip.

Performance

While we have not tested a single system built around the 5800HS as of August 2023, we have tested several laptops featuring the 5800H, a chip with very similar specs (Cezanne, 8 cores, 16 threads, up to 4.4 GHz). Based on that, we fully expect the 5800HS to be just slightly slower than the Core i5-12500H, Core i7-11800H, Core i7-12650H, Core i9-11950H and also the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned. Which is pretty damn fast, as of late 2022.

Your mileage may vary depending on how competent the cooling solution of your system is, and how high the CPU power limits are.

Power consumption

The Ryzen has a default TDP, also known as the long-term power limit, of 35 W. A proper cooling solution is a must for a CPU like this.

This Zen 2-based APU is built with TSMC's 7 nm process for average, as of mid 2023, energy efficiency.

AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS is a processor for big (gaming) laptops based on the Cezanne generation. The R9 5900HS integrates all eight cores based on the Zen 3 microarchitecture. They are clocked at 3 GHz (guaranteed base clock) to 4.6 GHz (Turbo) and support SMT / Hyperthreading (16 threads). The chip is manufactured on the modern 7 nm TSMC process. Compared to the 5900HX (up to 54 W), the 5900HS is configured with a TDP of 35 W.

The new Zen 3 microarchitecture offers a significantly higher IPC (instructions per clock) compared to Zen 2. For desktop processors AMD claims 19 percent on average and in applications reviews showed around 12% gains at the same clock speed.

In addition to the eight CPU cores, the APU also integrates a Radeon RX Vega 8 iGPU with 8 CUs at up to 2100 MHz. The dual channel memory controller supports DDR4-3200 and energy efficient LPDDR4-4266 RAM. Furthermore, 16 MB of Level 3 cache can be found on the chip.

Performance

The average 5900HS in our database matches the Core i7-12650H, the Core i9-11900H and the Core i9-11980HK in multi-thread performance. Surprisingly enough, it manages to come unbelievably close to the more power-hungry Ryzen 9 5900HX. This is a great CPU in all respects, and laptop makers as well as mini-PC manufacturers are taking notice.

Thanks to its decent cooling solution and a long-term CPU power limit of 80 W, the Zephyrus G14 GA401QEC is among the fastest laptops powered by the 5900HS that we know of. It can be at least 10% faster in CPU-bound workloads than the slowest system featuring the same chip in our database, as of August 2023.

Power consumption

This Ryzen 9 series chip has a default TDP (also known as the long-term power limit) of 35 W that laptop makers aren't really required to stick to. Either way, an active cooling solution is a must for a CPU like this.

The Ryzen 9 5900HS is built with TSMC's 7 nm process for average, as of mid 2023, energy efficiency.