AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs Intel Core i5-12450H Comparison

The Intel Core i5-12450H and AMD Ryzen 5 3600 are two very different processors that end up in a near-statistical tie in overall average benchmark score. The Intel part, a mobile Alder Lake-H chip, edges out the AMD desktop chip in raw single-threaded and certain math workloads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 dominates in sustained multi-core rendering and general productivity. The data shows a 71st percentile ranking for both CPUs, with average scores of 17239 for the Intel and 17035 for the AMD, a difference of less than 1.2%. This is a matchup defined by workload-specific advantages rather than a clear overall winner.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12450H is the clear choice for lightly-threaded and latency-sensitive tasks. It wins 11 of the 23 head-to-head benchmarks, and its victories are concentrated in low-thread-count scenarios. The 3DMark single-thread test shows a 31% lead, and the 2-thread test shows a 28.1% advantage, making it the superior option for older games or applications that rely on a few fast cores. It also excels in floating-point math, where it posts a 41.8% higher score than the Ryzen, and integer math, where it is 12.7% ahead.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 wins 12 of the 23 benchmarks, and its biggest victories come in heavily threaded workloads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test is a landslide for AMD, with the Ryzen scoring 15045 against the Intel’s 8822.5, a 41.4% difference. It also wins in data compression, encryption, physics simulation, and random string sorting. This pattern indicates the Ryzen 5 3600 is the better pick for video rendering, code compilation, and other tasks that scale with core count and sustained power delivery.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-12450H uses the Alder Lake-H architecture on a 10 nm process from Intel’s own foundry, featuring 8 cores and 12 threads. Its cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory and includes integrated UHD Graphics, which the AMD part lacks entirely.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is a desktop part based on Zen 2 (Matisse), built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 32 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus the Intel’s 2.00 GHz, though the Intel boosts higher at 4.40 GHz versus 4.20 GHz. The Ryzen’s 32 MB L3 cache is a significant advantage for certain workloads, while the Intel part’s higher boost clock helps in single-threaded scenarios. The AMD chip also features an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the Intel part is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in this comparison is the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 outscores the Intel Core i5-12450H by 41.4%. This is a massive gap that cannot be explained by core count alone, as both parts have 12 threads. The Ryzen’s higher sustained power delivery as a desktop chip and its larger 32 MB L3 cache likely contribute to this result. The gap narrows in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD leads by 10.2%, and R15 multi-core, where the lead is 10.9%.

The Intel part fights back in single-threaded tests. The 3DMark single-thread benchmark shows a 31% lead for Intel, and the 2-thread test shows a 28.1% lead. PassMark single-thread also favors Intel by 29%. However, Cinebench R23 single-core tells a different story: AMD wins by 21.8%, and Cinebench R20 single-core also goes to AMD by 10.3%. This inconsistency suggests that the benchmark methodology matters greatly; Intel wins in some single-thread tests while AMD wins in others.

In practical productivity workloads, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 leads in PassMark multi-thread by 8.1%, data compression by 11.2%, and data encryption by 22.4%. The Intel part counters with a 41.8% lead in floating-point math and a 12.7% lead in integer math. The PassMark physics test goes to AMD by 23.4%, while the random string sorting test goes to AMD by 12.1%. The prime number test is a huge win for AMD, with a 57.4% advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-thread performance?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The Intel Core i5-12450H wins 3DMark single-thread by 31% and PassMark single-thread by 29%, but the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 21.8% and Cinebench R20 single-core by 10.3%.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 better for multi-core rendering?

A: Yes, the data shows a significant advantage. The Ryzen 5 3600 leads in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 41.4%, Cinebench R20 multi-core by 10.2%, and Cinebench R15 multi-core by 10.9%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-12450H have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes UHD Graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: Which CPU supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-12450H supports DDR5 memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is limited to DDR4.

Q: Can the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 be overclocked?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked. The Intel Core i5-12450H has a locked multiplier.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450H has an average score of 17239, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has an average of 17035. The Intel part is 1.2% higher, but both are in the 71st percentile of all CPUs.

The Verdict

For a desktop user building a system for video editing, 3D rendering, or other heavily threaded workloads, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is the clear choice. Its 41.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and its wins in encryption, compression, and physics make it the stronger workhorse. It also uses the AM4 socket, which is a desktop platform, while the Intel part uses the mobile BGA 1744 socket.

For a user who prioritizes fast response times in lightly-threaded applications or needs a chip with integrated graphics, the Intel Core i5-12450H is the better option. Its 31% lead in 3DMark single-thread and 29% lead in PassMark single-thread indicate better raw speed per core. It also supports DDR5 memory, offering a path to newer memory technology. However, its mobile nature means it is typically found in laptops, not desktop builds.

The specification differences reinforce this split. The Intel part has 8 cores versus 6, but the AMD part has a larger 32 MB L3 cache versus 12 MB. The Intel has a higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus 4.20 GHz, but the AMD has a much higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 2.00 GHz. The AMD chip has a 65 W TDP versus the Intel’s 45 W, but this is a mobile part with different power delivery expectations.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-12450H | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 2000.00 MHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 2 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 3,800 million |

| Die Size | 217 mm² | 74 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 32 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRLCX | 100-000000031 |