AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT vs Intel Core i9-12900HK Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT and Intel Core i9-12900HK represent two very different philosophies in processor design: a 6-core desktop part built for efficiency and a 14-core mobile flagship built for maximum throughput. The benchmark data shows a clear overall winner, but the single standout result for the AMD chip reveals a nuanced picture. Out of 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Intel Core i9-12900HK claims 16 victories, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT secures only one, but that single win is a decisive one in a specific workload.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-12900HK is the dominant force across nearly every measurable workload category. Its wins span the full spectrum of Cinebench multi-core tests, with the largest margins in the older R15 and R20 versions, where it leads by 42.7% and 25.7% respectively. The data shows a consistent pattern: the Intel chip excels in heavily threaded tasks like video rendering, data compression, and complex mathematical calculations. In PassMark tests, the i9-12900HK demonstrates its superiority in floating-point math (63,572 vs 36,694) and integer math (89,527 vs 64,218), indicating a strong advantage in scientific simulations and general computational workloads. The Intel part also wins all the single-threaded tests except for one, suggesting better per-core performance in most scenarios.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT’s sole victory is a striking anomaly in the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where it scores 2,237 against the Intel’s 1,673, a 33.7% advantage. This is a massive lead and indicates that in this specific benchmark, which stresses a single core with a complex rendering workload, the AMD architecture is significantly more efficient. This suggests the Ryzen 5 5500GT might be a better choice for lightly-threaded applications that rely on raw single-core speed, such as older games or certain legacy software. However, this is a lone bright spot; everywhere else, the i9-12900HK is the clear winner.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT is a desktop part based on the Zen 3 architecture, manufactured on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, a base clock of 3.60 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The chip uses the AMD Socket AM4 and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory, with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Its integrated graphics are the Radeon Vega 7, and it connects via PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The CPU is unlocked for overclocking and has a TDP of 65 W.

The Intel Core i9-12900HK, in contrast, is a mobile processor built on the Alder Lake architecture using Intel’s 10 nm process. It is a hybrid design, though the provided data only lists a total of 14 cores and 20 threads. It has a lower base clock of 2.50 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The cache configuration is different, with 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 24 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The integrated graphics are the Iris Xe with 96 execution units. The chip uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket and supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. It is also multiplier-unlocked but has a lower TDP of 45 W, typical for a mobile part. The AMD chip has a die size of 180 mm² with 10,700 million transistors, while the Intel chip has a die size of 217 mm² with no transistor count listed.

The Verdict

The data clearly indicates that the Intel Core i9-12900HK is the superior processor for almost all users. Its 14-core, 20-thread configuration, combined with a higher boost clock, delivers overwhelming performance advantages in multi-threaded workloads, as evidenced by its 42.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 49.8% lead in PassMark physics tests. For tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, software compilation, and data analysis, the i9-12900HK is the definitive pick based on benchmark results. Its win in 16 out of 17 tests, including all the primary multi-threaded benchmarks, makes it the clear choice for anyone needing maximum computational power.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT presents a compelling case only for a very specific user. Its 33.7% victory in Cinebench R23 single-core is not a fluke; it suggests the Zen 3 architecture has a distinct advantage in certain single-threaded tasks. If your primary workload is a legacy application or a game engine that is heavily dependent on single-core performance and cannot utilize multiple threads effectively, the Ryzen 5 5500GT could be the better choice. However, this is a narrow use case. The data shows that for the vast majority of workloads, including all multi-threaded scenarios and most single-threaded tests, the Intel part is significantly faster. The AMD chip’s 79th percentile ranking versus the Intel’s 78th percentile in all CPUs is misleading, as the head-to-head data shows a clear overall winner.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900HK is significantly faster in multi-core workloads. It wins all multi-core Cinebench tests, with its largest lead being 42.7% in Cinebench R15 and its smallest lead being 13.3% in Cinebench R23. It also leads by 26.1% in PassMark multithread scores.

Q: Is there any test where the AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT wins?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT wins the Cinebench R23 single-core test with a score of 2,237, which is 33.7% higher than the Intel’s score of 1,673.

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i9-12900HK has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Intel Core i9-12900HK has a lower base clock of 2.50 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: What is the difference in their memory support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT supports only DDR4 memory, while the Intel Core i9-12900HK supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: How do their integrated graphics compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT features a Radeon Vega 7 iGPU, while the Intel Core i9-12900HK features an Iris Xe with 96 execution units.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most significant victory for the Intel Core i9-12900HK is in the PassMark physics test, where it scores 1,673 against the AMD’s 840, a 49.8% difference. This is followed closely by the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, where the Intel leads by 42.7% (2,786 vs 1,597). In PassMark floating-point math, the Intel chip is 42.3% ahead (63,572 vs 36,694), and in PassMark find prime numbers, it leads by 47.1% (102 vs 54). These results highlight the Intel’s massive advantage in raw computational throughput. Even in PassMark data compression, which is a typical multi-threaded workload, the Intel part is 17.3% faster (294,908 vs 243,904). The Intel chip also wins the PassMark single-thread test by 14% (3,567 vs 3,066), showing it is generally better in single-threaded performance as well.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT’s single win is impressive in its magnitude. In the Cinebench R23 single-core test, it scores 2,237, which is 33.7% higher than the Intel’s 1,673. This is a substantial margin and is the largest single-core lead in the entire comparison. However, this victory does not translate to other single-threaded tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel wins by 7% (242 vs 225), and in Cinebench R20 single-core, the Intel wins by 25.7% (1,264 vs 939). This suggests the AMD’s architecture has a specific strength in the R23 workload but is generally slower in other single-threaded scenarios. The overall data shows the i9-12900HK is the more consistent and powerful performer across the board.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences are stark. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT is a desktop processor with 6 cores and 12 threads, a base clock of 3.60 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Intel Core i9-12900HK is a mobile processor with 14 cores and 20 threads, a base clock of 2.50 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The AMD chip has a TDP of 65 W, while the Intel has a TDP of 45 W. The AMD uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel uses Intel BGA 1744. In terms of cache, the AMD has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 16 MB L3, while the Intel has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core with 24 MB L3. The AMD supports only DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD’s PCIe interface is Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Intel’s is Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The process node differs: 7 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel. The AMD has a die size of 180 mm² with 10,700 million transistors, while the Intel has a die size of 217 mm². The integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 7 for AMD and Iris Xe 96EU for Intel. The AMD was released on 2024-01-07 with a launch MSRP of $125, while the Intel was released on 2022-01-03. Both chips have an unlocked multiplier.