AMD Ryzen 3 30 vs Intel Core i5-12490F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-12490F wins every single head-to-head test in the database. Across the 11 recorded comparisons, the AMD Ryzen 3 30 does not secure a single victory. The Intel part leads by margins ranging from roughly one-third to over three-quarters, indicating a fundamental performance gap rather than a narrow edge in specific workloads.

The largest discrepancy appears in the prime number finding test, where the Intel Core i5-12490F scores 87 against the AMD Ryzen 3 30's 20, a delta of -77%. This is a massive advantage for the Intel processor, reflecting its superior integer throughput in this particular instruction pattern. Similarly, floating point math shows the Intel chip at 47326 versus 14448 for the AMD part, a -69.5% difference. The physics test follows closely, with Intel's 1345 dwarfing AMD's 436, a -67.6% gap.

Beyond those heavy compute workloads, the Intel Core i5-12490F maintains its lead in more general-purpose tasks. In the multithread benchmark, Intel scores 20202 against AMD's 9027, a -55.3% difference. Integer math shows Intel at 60548 versus 29846, a -50.7% gap. Data encryption results put Intel at 12018 and AMD at 6461, a -46.2% difference. Extended instructions favor Intel at 15993 over 6075, a -62% margin.

Even in the most modest performance gap, random string sorting, the Intel Core i5-12490F still leads with 23791 versus 14431, a -39.3% difference. Data compression shows Intel at 237304 against AMD's 135834, a -42.8% gap. Single-thread performance, often a closer contest between architectures, still clearly favors Intel: 3682 versus 2465, a -33.1% margin. The consistency of these results paints a straightforward picture: the Intel Core i5-12490F dominates across every measured category.

Where Each One Wins

Given the complete sweep in the head-to-head results, the use-case split is heavily lopsided. The Intel Core i5-12490F is the stronger choice for every workload represented in the benchmark suite. Its advantages in multithreaded tasks, physics calculations, encryption, compression, and integer math make it suitable for demanding computational applications. The single-thread lead also positions it well for software that relies on per-core performance.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30, by contrast, does not win any benchmark category. Its value lies elsewhere: it is a mobile processor in a compact package, and the database records it with a 15 TDP figure, whereas the Intel part is a desktop chip with a 65 TDP. For users prioritizing power efficiency or a mobile form factor, the AMD part remains relevant despite losing every performance test. However, strictly from the recorded benchmark scores, the Intel Core i5-12490F is the performance winner in all scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 uses the Zen 2 architecture with the Mendocino codename, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The Intel Core i5-12490F employs the Alder Lake architecture with the Alder Lake-S codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. It offers 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 cache on the Intel chip, five times the AMD total, likely contributes to its performance advantage in data-heavy workloads.

Memory support also separates the two. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 supports LPDDR5 memory with dual-channel operation and a recorded memory bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-12490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, though the database does not record a bandwidth figure for it. The AMD part includes integrated Radeon 610M graphics, while the Intel chip has no integrated graphics listed. PCIe connectivity differs as well: AMD provides Gen 3 with 4 lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

The socket and segment tell the story of their intended environments. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 uses AMD Socket FT6 and is classified as a mobile processor. The Intel Core i5-12490F uses Intel Socket 1700 and is a desktop part. The die sizes reflect their complexity: AMD measures 100 mm², Intel measures 163 mm². Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a distinguishing factor.

The Verdict

The data is decisive. The Intel Core i5-12490F outperforms the AMD Ryzen 3 30 in every recorded benchmark, often by wide margins. For users building a desktop system and prioritizing raw compute performance, the Intel chip is the clear choice. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, higher clock speeds, larger cache, and superior benchmark results make it the stronger processor across all tested workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30, however, is not without its place. As a mobile processor with a 15 TDP, it targets a different market segment entirely. Users needing a low-power mobile solution with integrated graphics may still find it appropriate. The Radeon 610M integrated graphics mean the AMD part can operate without a discrete GPU, whereas the Intel chip requires a separate graphics card. The AMD processor also supports LPDDR5 memory, which can be advantageous in compact systems.

That said, the benchmark results indicate that for any task measured in the database, the Intel Core i5-12490F delivers substantially more performance. The verdict from the recorded data: choose the Intel Core i5-12490F for performance-critical desktop workloads, and consider the AMD Ryzen 3 30 only when its mobile form factor and integrated graphics take priority over raw compute scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-12490F wins all 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 3 30 wins none.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in the find prime numbers test, where the Intel Core i5-12490F scores 87 versus the AMD Ryzen 3 30's 20, a -77% difference.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 3 30 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 3 30 includes Radeon 610M integrated graphics. The Intel Core i5-12490F has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-12490F has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 30 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 supports LPDDR5 memory, while the Intel Core i5-12490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Are both processors in the same market segment?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 3 30 is classified as a mobile processor, while the Intel Core i5-12490F is a desktop processor.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 30 | Intel Core i5-12490F |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 15 | 65 |

| Socket | AMD Socket FT6 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Mendocino | Alder Lake-S |

| Process Node | 6 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 100 mm² | 163 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 88.0 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 4 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Part Number | Unknown | SRL4X |