AMD Ryzen 5 4600G vs Intel Core i5-12450H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The data splits these two CPUs along predictable architectural lines. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G takes 9 benchmark wins, while the Intel Core i5-12450H claims 14. That raw count, however, hides the nature of the victories. Intel’s wins are concentrated in single-thread and lightly-threaded workloads, plus a few specific math operations. AMD’s wins are heavier in multi-core rendering and data-handling tasks.

Start with the obvious: Intel dominates anything that relies on a single core. The 3dmark_single_thread score goes to Intel by 20.4% (726 vs 912). Passmark single-thread shows the same story, with Intel ahead 19.8% (2653 vs 3306). The Cinebench R15 single-core test gives Intel an 18.9% edge (238 vs 193). This is a consistent pattern — Intel’s Alder Lake architecture delivers substantially higher per-core performance in light workloads.

AMD’s wins are fewer but decisive in the right places. The Cinebench R23 multicore result is a blowout: AMD scores 13593 against Intel’s 8822.5, a 54.1% advantage. That is the largest delta in the entire comparison. AMD also wins R15 multicore by 1.5% (1370 vs 1350) and R20 multicore by 0.7% (5709 vs 5671). The 3dmark_16_threads and max_threads tests go to Intel by small margins (2.8% and 2.6%), but AMD’s rendering lead in Cinebench is not close.

Data work splits too. AMD wins passmark_data_compression by 18.6% (231426 vs 195132) and data encryption by 25.3% (13572 vs 10832). Extended instructions favor AMD by 27.4% (15280 vs 11992), and random string sorting goes AMD’s way by 16.4% (24246 vs 20838). Intel fights back in floating-point math, winning by 26.2% (40568 vs 29947), and in prime number finding by 30.4% (46 vs 32). Integer math is closer, with Intel ahead 7.4% (54782 vs 50723).

Physics simulation is Intel territory: the passmark_physics score shows Intel winning 883 vs 676, a 23.4% gap. The 3dmark 2-thread and 4-thread tests also favor Intel by 18% and 11.6%, respectively. The 8-thread test is tight, with Intel winning by just 2.2%.

The overall average benchmark scores tell a different story than the head-to-head wins. AMD’s average is 17507, Intel’s is 17239. Both sit at the 71st percentile of all CPUs. AMD’s nearest rival, the Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE, scores 17482 (0.1% behind), while Intel’s nearest rival, the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G, scores 17278 (0.2% ahead of Intel). So despite losing more head-to-head tests, AMD edges out Intel on average score.

The Verdict

The choice comes down to workload, not brand loyalty. If you need maximum multi-threaded rendering performance, the Ryzen 5 4600G is the clear pick. A 54.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore is not a marginal difference; it is a generational gap in rendering throughput. The 4600G also handles data compression, encryption, and AVX-style extended instructions with notable efficiency, winning those by 18.6%, 25.3%, and 27.4% respectively.

If your work is lighter — office tasks, web browsing, single-threaded applications — the Core i5-12450H is faster. Its 20.4% lead in 3dmark single-thread and 19.8% lead in Passmark single-thread make it the better daily driver for responsiveness. Physics simulation also favors Intel by 23.4%, which matters if you run any light simulation or game physics workloads. Floating-point math is Intel’s domain too, with a 26.2% win.

The 4600G is a desktop part on AMD Socket AM4 with a 65W TDP and an unlocked multiplier. The 12450H is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1744 with a 45W TDP and a locked multiplier. That distinction matters: the 4600G is meant for building or upgrading a desktop; the 12450H is meant for laptops. The data shows the desktop part holds its own in multi-core despite Intel’s newer architecture.

For a builder choosing between these two as a platform decision, the 4600G offers better multi-core rendering and data throughput, plus overclocking headroom. For someone comparing laptop options, the 12450H gives better single-core performance and physics scores. The 4600G’s average benchmark score of 17507 is slightly higher than Intel’s 17239, but the 12450H wins more individual tests. Neither is a universal winner. Pick the one that matches your primary applications.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest single win belongs to AMD in Cinebench R23 multicore. The 4600G posts 13593 against the 12450H’s 8822.5, a 54.1% margin. That is a massive gap for two CPUs with the same thread count (12 threads each). The R23 single-core test also goes to AMD, but by a smaller 15.5% (1919 vs 1661). This suggests AMD’s Zen 2 implementation scales better under the longer R23 workload.

Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore are near ties. AMD wins R15 multicore by 1.5% (1370 vs 1350) and R20 multicore by 0.7% (5709 vs 5671). R20 single-core is essentially a dead heat: AMD wins 805 vs 800, a 0.6% margin. R15 single-core, however, is Intel’s by 18.9% (238 vs 193).

Intel’s largest win is in 3dmark_single_thread, where it leads by 20.4% (912 vs 726). The 2-thread test is close behind at 18% (1743 vs 1430). The 4-thread test gives Intel an 11.6% edge (3091 vs 2732). As threads increase, Intel’s advantage shrinks: 8-thread is just 2.2% (4233 vs 4138), and 16-thread is 2.8% (5001 vs 4863). Max threads shows Intel ahead 2.6% (5020 vs 4889).

Passmark results are split by operation type. AMD wins data compression by 18.6%, encryption by 25.3%, extended instructions by 27.4%, and random string sorting by 16.4%. Intel wins find prime numbers by 30.4%, floating-point math by 26.2%, and integer math by 7.4%. The passmark_multithread score is nearly even, with Intel ahead just 1.7% (16265 vs 15992). Passmark physics goes to Intel by 23.4% (883 vs 676).

The 3dmark results show a clear pattern: Intel’s advantage is strongest at low thread counts and diminishes as parallelism increases. AMD’s Cinebench results show the opposite — its strength grows with workload duration and thread usage. The passmark data tests are more nuanced, with each CPU winning specific operation types.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-threaded tasks?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450H wins every single-thread benchmark in the data. It leads by 20.4% in 3dmark_single_thread (912 vs 726), 19.8% in passmark_single_thread (3306 vs 2653), and 18.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core (238 vs 193). The only exception is Cinebench R20 single-core, where AMD wins by a slim 0.6% (805 vs 800).

Q: Which CPU is better for multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G dominates. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 13593 against Intel’s 8822.5, a 54.1% advantage. It also wins R15 multicore by 1.5% (1370 vs 1350) and R20 multicore by 0.7% (5709 vs 5671). Intel wins the 3dmark multi-thread tests, but by much smaller margins (2.8% or less).

Q: Do both CPUs have the same thread count?

A: Yes, both have 12 threads. However, the AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel has 8 cores and 12 threads. Intel’s higher core count does not translate into a multi-core win in Cinebench — AMD’s 6-core design wins those tests.

Q: Which CPU has better integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G features Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i5-12450H features UHD Graphics. The benchmark data does not include any integrated graphics tests, so a direct performance comparison is not possible from this data.

Q: What is the memory and PCIe support difference?

A: The AMD supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel configuration, but its memory bandwidth is not listed. For PCIe, AMD uses Gen 3 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while Intel uses Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G has an average benchmark score of 17507, compared to Intel’s 17239. Both sit at the 71st percentile of all CPUs. Despite Intel winning more individual head-to-head tests (14 vs 9), AMD’s average score is slightly higher.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural generations and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G uses Zen 2 architecture with the Renoir codename, built on a 7nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core i5-12450H uses Alder Lake architecture with the Alder Lake-H codename, built on a 10nm process by Intel. AMD’s transistor count is listed at 9,800 million on a 156 mm² die, while Intel’s transistor count is not provided and its die is 217 mm².

Core configuration differs significantly. AMD uses 6 cores and 12 threads. Intel uses 8 cores and 12 threads, which indicates a hybrid design with performance and efficiency cores, though the data does not specify the split. Cache hierarchies also differ. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. Intel’s larger L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB) and larger per-core L2 may contribute to its single-thread advantage.

The integrated graphics differ as well. AMD pairs its CPU with Radeon Vega 7, while Intel uses UHD Graphics. Both support dual-channel memory, but AMD lists DDR4 only with a specific memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 without a listed bandwidth. Neither CPU supports ECC memory.

Intel’s Alder Lake architecture is newer and built on a more advanced process node (10nm vs 7nm, though process naming differs between foundries). The data shows Intel’s architecture excels in single-thread and low-thread workloads, while AMD’s Zen 2 design holds a significant edge in longer multi-threaded rendering workloads. The 54.1% Cinebench R23 multicore gap suggests AMD’s design scales better with sustained all-core loads, despite having fewer cores.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two CPUs differ, based on the data provided.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 4600G | Intel Core i5-12450H |

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

| Series | 4000 series | Core 12th Gen |

| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 65W | 45W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Renoir | Alder Lake-H |

| Generation | Ryzen 5 (Zen 2 (Renoir)) | Core i5 (Alder Lake-H) |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 9,800 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 156 mm² | 217 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 7 | UHD Graphics |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2020-07-20 | Not listed |

| Launch MSRP | $154 | Not listed |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | 100-000000147 | SRLCX |

The most practical differences are the socket and market segment. The 4600G is a desktop part on AM4 with an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the 12450H is a mobile part on BGA 1744 with a locked multiplier. Intel has more cores (8 vs 6) and a higher boost clock (4.40 vs 4.20 GHz), but AMD has a higher base clock (3.70 GHz vs 2.00 GHz) and lower TDP at 65W vs Intel’s 45W, which is notable given the desktop vs mobile distinction.