AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT vs Intel Core i7-12700H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT and Intel Core i7-12700H are remarkably close in overall average benchmark score, but their performance profiles are anything but similar. The data shows the Intel part wins 16 of 17 head-to-head tests, yet the AMD chip scores a decisive victory in the single most important next-gen rendering metric, making this a true split decision based on workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-12700H dominates the multi-threaded and productivity benchmarks with substantial margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 2604.6 against AMD's 1597, a 38.7% advantage. That gap narrows in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where Intel leads 8921 to 6656 (25.4% ahead), but nearly disappears in Cinebench R23 multi-core: Intel scores 16307.5 versus 15848, just 2.8% ahead. This suggests the AMD processor scales better as the workload becomes more sustained and complex, closing a massive early gap.

The Passmark suite reinforces Intel's multi-threaded superiority. In floating-point math, Intel scores 65075 versus 36694, a crushing 43.6% lead. Physics tests show a similar 44.4% gap (1512 vs 840). Integer math favors Intel by 28.7% (90106 vs 64218), while prime number finding shows Intel at 94 versus AMD's 54, a 42.6% delta. Data compression, encryption, and random string sorting all go Intel's way with margins of 18.9%, 16.1%, and 26.5% respectively. The overall Passmark multi-thread score is 25615 for Intel versus 19000 for AMD, a 25.8% gap.

Single-threaded results are closer but still favor Intel in most tests. Cinebench R15 single-core shows Intel at 256 versus 225 (12.1% ahead), and R20 single-core shows 1259 versus 939 (25.4% ahead). Passmark single-thread gives Intel 3535 versus 3066, a 13.3% edge. However, the critical exception is Cinebench R23 single-core, where AMD wins decisively: 2237 versus 1782, a 25.5% advantage for the Ryzen. This is not a marginal win; it is the largest single-core delta in either direction across all tests.

The 3DMark results, exclusive to Intel, show scaling from 949 single-thread to 6460 at 16 threads and 6941 at max threads. These numbers indicate strong thread scaling, but without AMD equivalents, they primarily serve to confirm Intel's consistent multi-thread behavior rather than provide a direct comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. AMD's Ryzen 5 5500GT uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm TSMC process, with a monolithic 180 mm² die containing 10,700 million transistors. It offers 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost of 4.40 GHz. The TDP is 65 watts, and it runs on AMD Socket AM4 with DDR4 memory support in dual-channel configuration, providing 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The cache hierarchy features 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, plus 16 MB of shared L3. PCIe support is Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 7, and the multiplier is unlocked.

Intel's Core i7-12700H is a mobile part built on the Alder Lake-H architecture using Intel's 10 nm process, with a larger 217 mm² die. It packs 14 cores and 20 threads, using a hybrid design (though the data does not specify performance vs efficiency core counts). Base clock is 2.30 GHz with a boost of 4.70 GHz, and TDP is 45 watts. It uses Intel BGA 1744 socket and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode. Cache is substantially larger: 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with 24 MB shared L3. PCIe is Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics are Iris Xe 96EU, and the multiplier is locked.

The process node difference (7 nm vs 10 nm) and core count difference (6 vs 14) are the most obvious architectural splits. AMD compensates for fewer cores with higher base clock and a more efficient process, while Intel leverages raw core count and higher boost clock. The memory bandwidth figure for Intel is not provided, but the dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support suggests flexibility that AMD's DDR4-only support cannot match.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12700H wins everywhere except one test, but the magnitude and context matter. For heavily parallel workloads like scientific computing, video rendering, or data processing, Intel's lead is significant and consistent. The 43.6% lead in floating-point math and 44.4% in physics indicate tasks relying on those operations will see dramatic improvements. Compression, encryption, and integer-heavy workloads also favor Intel by 16-29%, making it the clear choice for productivity suites, database operations, and content creation pipelines that use multi-threaded encoding.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT wins only in Cinebench R23 single-core, but that is the modern standard for single-threaded CPU performance. Its 25.5% lead over Intel in that test suggests better per-core efficiency in the latest rendering workloads. This translates to snappier response in lightly-threaded applications, legacy software that relies on single-core performance, and gaming scenarios where the engine is not well-optimized for many threads. The AMD chip also offers the advantage of an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, though the data does not quantify potential gains.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical: AMD at 26748 and Intel at 26717, a 0.1% difference. Both sit at the 79th percentile of all CPUs. This means the choice is not about overall capability but about workload-specific optimization. The Intel chip delivers more raw throughput across the board, while the AMD chip delivers a targeted single-core advantage that may matter more for certain real-world applications.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Core i7-12700H for almost any multi-threaded workload. The data is unambiguous: 16 wins out of 17 head-to-head tests, with margins exceeding 40% in floating-point math and physics, and 25-29% in integer math, multi-thread, and Cinebench R20 multi-core. If your tasks involve rendering, compilation, data analysis, or content creation that scales across cores, the Intel part is the performance leader despite its lower overall average score.

Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT for single-thread-sensitive applications and for desktop users who value the unlocked multiplier. The 25.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is the most modern single-thread metric available, and it is a decisive victory. For older games, single-threaded legacy software, or applications that cannot leverage 14 cores, the AMD chip will feel faster. The AM4 socket also offers a desktop platform with a 65-watt TDP, which may be easier to cool in a compact system.

The data does not support a universal winner. The Intel chip is the better all-rounder for heavy lifting; the AMD chip is the better choice for per-core efficiency and overclocking flexibility. The 0.1% average score difference confirms they are equals overall — but equals in different ways.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher overall average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT has an average benchmark score of 26748, while the Intel Core i7-12700H scores 26717. The difference is 31 points, or 0.1%, making them statistically tied.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i7-12700H has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: In which single test does the AMD processor win?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT wins in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 2237 against Intel's 1782, a 25.5% margin.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in any head-to-head test?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700H leads by 43.6% in Passmark floating-point math (65075 vs 36694) and by 44.4% in Passmark physics (1512 vs 840).

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT supports DDR4 only. The Intel Core i7-12700H supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Are either processors' multipliers unlocked?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i7-12700H does not.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT | Intel Core i7-12700H |

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

| Cores | 6 | 14 |

| Threads | 12 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Alder Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 180 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 | 16 MB | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 7 | Iris Xe 96EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | 100-000001489 | SRLD1 |