AMD Ryzen 5 4500 vs Intel Core i5-12450H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 and Intel Core i5-12450H land in the same performance tier, with average benchmark scores of 17333 and 17239 respectively, and both sit at the 71st percentile of all CPUs. The data shows a clear split: the Ryzen 5 4500 dominates heavily threaded workloads and certain specialized instruction tests, while the Core i5-12450H wins the majority of head-to-head matchups (14 vs 9) thanks to superior single-thread and light-thread performance. The verdict is straightforward: pick the Ryzen 5 4500 for desktop builds where sustained multi-core rendering and data-heavy tasks matter most, and choose the Core i5-12450H for mobile platforms where snappy single-thread response and higher boost clocks are critical.

The Verdict

Benchmark results indicate that the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 is the better choice for users prioritizing raw multi-threaded compute. It leads the Cinebench R23 multi-core test by a massive 55% (13677 vs 8822.5) and wins the single-core variant of that same test by 16.2% (1930 vs 1661). The Ryzen’s advantage extends to data-focused workloads: it scores 17.2% higher in PassMark data compression (228741 vs 195132), 25.5% higher in data encryption (13597 vs 10832), and 26.5% higher in extended instructions (15166 vs 11992). For rendering, the R15 and R20 multi-core scores also favor the AMD chip, albeit by smaller margins of 2.1% (1378 vs 1350) and 1.3% (5744 vs 5671).

The Intel Core i5-12450H, however, is the pick for general responsiveness and lighter workloads. It wins the 3DMark single-thread test by 22% (912 vs 711) and the PassMark single-thread test by 21.6% (3306 vs 2593). Its advantage is consistent across low-thread counts: 19.7% ahead in 3DMark 2-thread (1743 vs 1400) and 13.2% ahead in 4-thread (3091 vs 2682). The Intel chip also excels in math-heavy floating-point work, beating the AMD part by 27.5% in PassMark floating-point math (40568 vs 29405). In practical terms, the Core i5-12450H suits users who want faster application launches and smoother everyday tasks, while the Ryzen 5 4500 serves those who routinely hit all-core workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm process node from TSMC, with a die size of 156 mm² and 9,800 million transistors. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with base and boost clocks of 3.60 GHz and 4.10 GHz respectively. The Intel Core i5-12450H is built on Alder Lake architecture using Intel’s 10 nm process, with a larger die size of 217 mm² and no transistor count listed. It packs 8 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2000 MHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The Ryzen 5 4500 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i5-12450H has larger per-core caches: 80 KB of L1, 1.25 MB of L2, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD part is limited to DDR4. Memory bandwidth is listed for the Ryzen at 51.2 GB/s, but no figure is provided for the Intel chip. PCIe support differs as well: the Ryzen offers Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Intel part provides Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes.

Another key architectural split concerns integrated graphics. The Core i5-12450H includes UHD Graphics, whereas the Ryzen 5 4500 has no integrated graphics listed. The Ryzen is a desktop part using AMD Socket AM4, and its multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking. The Intel chip is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1744 with a locked multiplier. TDP also differs: the Ryzen is rated at 65 W, while the Intel part is rated at 45 W. The Ryzen 5 4500 has a launch MSRP of $129; no launch MSRP is listed for the Core i5-12450H.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single victory belongs to the Ryzen 5 4500 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where its 13677 score eclipses the Intel part’s 8822.5 — a 55% lead. This is the definitive result for heavy all-core workloads. The Ryzen also wins the Cinebench R23 single-core test by 16.2% (1930 vs 1661), which is notable because Intel typically leads in single-thread tests. In 3DMark, however, the Intel chip takes every thread count: 22% in single-thread (912 vs 711), 19.7% in 2-thread (1743 vs 1400), 13.2% in 4-thread (3091 vs 2682), 3.7% in 8-thread (4233 vs 4077), 4.1% in 16-thread (5001 vs 4795), and 4.5% in max-thread (5020 vs 4795).

The Ryzen’s wins in PassMark are concentrated in data manipulation and encryption tasks. It leads data compression by 17.2% (228741 vs 195132), data encryption by 25.5% (13597 vs 10832), extended instructions by 26.5% (15166 vs 11992), and random string sorting by 15.1% (23989 vs 20838). The Intel part counters with strong showings in PassMark floating-point math, winning by 27.5% (40568 vs 29405), and find prime numbers, winning by 26.1% (46 vs 34). The Intel chip also takes integer math by 9.3% (54782 vs 49707) and physics by 17.8% (883 vs 726). The PassMark multi-thread score is nearly identical, with Intel edging ahead by just 1.1% (16265 vs 16091). In Cinebench R15 and R20, the results split: AMD wins R15 multi-core by 2.1% (1378 vs 1350) and R20 multi-core by 1.3% (5744 vs 5671), while Intel wins R15 single-core by 18.5% (238 vs 194) and AMD narrowly takes R20 single-core by 1.3% (810 vs 800).

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every major specification field. The Ryzen 5 4500 offers 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core i5-12450H offers 8 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are drastically different: the Ryzen runs at 3.60 GHz, while the Intel part runs at 2000 MHz. Boost clocks favor Intel at 4.40 GHz versus 4.10 GHz for AMD. TDP is 65 W for the Ryzen and 45 W for the Intel chip. Sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel BGA 1744.

Process nodes differ, with AMD using 7 nm TSMC and Intel using 10 nm Intel. Die size is 156 mm² for AMD and 217 mm² for Intel. Cache capacities vary: L1 is 64 KB per core for AMD versus 80 KB per core for Intel; L2 is 512 KB per core versus 1.25 MB per core; L3 is 8 MB shared versus 12 MB shared. Memory support is DDR4-only for AMD, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is listed at 51.2 GB/s for AMD, with no figure for Intel. PCIe generation and lanes differ: Gen 3 with 16 lanes for AMD, Gen 4 with 20 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are present only on the Intel part (UHD Graphics). The market segment is Desktop for AMD and Mobile for Intel. The Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel multiplier is locked. The Ryzen’s part number is 100-000000xxx, and the Intel part number is SRLCX.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 has an average benchmark score of 17333, which is 0.5% higher than the Intel Core i5-12450H’s 17239. Both are at the 71st percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 better for multi-threaded rendering?

A: Yes. The Ryzen 5 4500 leads the Cinebench R23 multi-core test by 55% (13677 vs 8822.5) and also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 2.1% (1378 vs 1350) and R20 multi-core by 1.3% (5744 vs 5671).

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-12450H have any advantages in single-thread performance?

A: Yes, in most tests. It wins 3DMark single-thread by 22% (912 vs 711), PassMark single-thread by 21.6% (3306 vs 2593), and Cinebench R15 single-core by 18.5% (238 vs 194). However, the Ryzen wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 16.2% (1930 vs 1661) and R20 single-core by 1.3% (810 vs 800).

Q: Which CPU supports faster PCIe connectivity?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

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

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-12450H includes UHD Graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 has no integrated graphics listed, meaning a discrete GPU is required for display output.

Q: Which processor has more total cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450H has 8 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 has 6 cores. Both have 12 threads. The Intel chip also has a larger shared L3 cache at 12 MB versus 8 MB for the Ryzen.