AMD Ryzen 5 5600 vs Intel Core i5-12490F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits these two CPUs into distinct profiles. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 wins 15 of 23 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-12490F takes 8. The overall average benchmark scores are close: Intel scores 20802, AMD scores 20468, a difference of roughly 1.6%. Both sit at the 74th percentile among all CPUs in the database. But the nature of the wins matters more than the count.

The Intel Core i5-12490F's biggest victories come in floating-point math and single-thread workloads. In PassMark floating point math, Intel scores 47326 against AMD's 38778, a 22% advantage. That is the largest margin in either direction across all tested workloads. The 3DMark single-thread test shows Intel at 946 versus AMD's 882, a 7.3% lead. PassMark single-thread results reinforce this: Intel scores 3682, AMD scores 3256, giving Intel a 13.1% edge in both single-thread and singlethread PassMark tests. Intel also leads in 3DMark 16-thread (5923 vs 5641, 5% ahead), 3DMark max-threads (5936 vs 5659, 4.9% ahead), and 3DMark 8-thread (4811 vs 4798, 0.3% ahead). PassMark physics also favors Intel: 1345 vs 1285, a 4.7% win.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 counters with sweeping wins across Cinebench and several PassMark workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, AMD scores 18309 against Intel's 17284, a 5.6% advantage. The same 5.6% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core (7689 vs 7259), R15 multi-core (1845 vs 1742), R20 single-core (1085 vs 1024), R23 single-core (2584 vs 2440), and R15 single-core (260 vs 245). That consistent 5.6% pattern across every Cinebench test suggests a fundamental architectural efficiency advantage for Zen 3 in these rendering workloads.

PassMark integer math shows AMD ahead at 68396 vs 60548, an 11.5% margin. Data encryption favors AMD heavily: 15531 vs 12018, a 22.6% gap. Prime number finding is AMD's largest win at 137 vs 87, a 36.5% advantage. Data compression goes to AMD (251687 vs 237304, 5.7% ahead), as does extended instructions (16993 vs 15993, 5.9%), random string sorting (25943 vs 23791, 8.3%), and multithread (21541 vs 20202, 6.2%). AMD also wins 3DMark 4-thread (3313 vs 3133, 5.4% ahead) and narrowly takes 3DMark 2-thread (1737 vs 1727, 0.6%).

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-12490F uses Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 163 mm². It has 6 cores and 12 threads, a base clock of 3.00 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 uses Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process node fabricated by TSMC, with a die size of 74 mm². It also has 6 cores and 12 threads, but the base clock is 3.50 GHz and boost is 4.40 GHz. AMD's smaller die packs 4,150 million transistors compared to Intel's unspecified transistor count.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. AMD's larger L3 pool (32 MB vs 20 MB) helps explain its strength in data-heavy workloads like compression and encryption. Intel's larger per-core L2 (1.25 MB vs 512 KB) may contribute to its floating-point and single-thread wins.

Memory support splits the platforms. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, while AMD supports only DDR4, also dual-channel, with a rated bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel part uses PCIe Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes; AMD uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes. AMD supports ECC memory, Intel does not. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, making overclocking accessible, while the Intel chip is locked. AMD's socket is AM4; Intel uses Socket 1700. The AMD part carries the "Vermeer" codename and launched on 2022-04-19 with a launch MSRP of $199. Intel's release date is not recorded in the database.

The Verdict

The data points to clear strengths for each processor, but the overall picture favors AMD in total benchmark wins. The Ryzen 5 5600 wins 15 of 23 head-to-head tests, including every Cinebench test and the majority of PassMark workloads. Its 36.5% lead in prime number finding and 22.6% lead in data encryption are decisive. For users running Cinebench-style rendering tasks, integer-heavy calculations, compression, or encryption workloads, the Ryzen 5 5600 delivers consistently higher scores.

The Intel Core i5-12490F should be the choice when single-thread responsiveness and floating-point throughput matter most. Its 13.1% single-thread PassMark lead and 22% floating-point math advantage are substantial. Physics workloads also favor Intel by 4.7%. The 3DMark suite shows Intel ahead in all but the 2-thread and 4-thread tests, including a 7.3% single-thread win and 5% 16-thread win. Gamers and users running physics simulations or floating-point-heavy applications may prefer Intel's profile.

The average benchmark scores place Intel slightly higher overall (20802 vs 20468), but the margin is narrow. Both CPUs occupy the same 74th percentile among all CPUs. The nearest rivals for Intel include the Intel Xeon 6325P at -0.1% and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT at +0.3%. For AMD, the nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V at +0.1% and the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G at +0.2%. Neither CPU dramatically outperforms the other in aggregate; the choice depends on workload priorities.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-thread score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 scores 2584 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i5-12490F scores 2440. AMD leads by 5.6%.

Q: How large is the Intel lead in PassMark floating point math?

A: Intel scores 47326 versus AMD's 38778, a 22% advantage. This is Intel's largest winning margin across all head-to-head benchmarks.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory support is listed as true for the AMD Ryzen 5 5600. The Intel Core i5-12490F does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference between these two CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-12490F has 20 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD's larger L3 cache is 60% bigger.

Q: Which CPU wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 wins 15 of 23 comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-12490F wins 8.

Q: What process nodes do these CPUs use?

A: The Intel Core i5-12490F uses a 10 nm process from Intel, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 uses a 7 nm process from TSMC.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is the stronger choice for rendering and content creation workloads. Every Cinebench test, from R15 to R23, single-core and multi-core, goes to AMD with a consistent 5.6% margin. The PassMark multithread score of 21541 vs 20202 (6.2% ahead) confirms AMD's advantage in heavily threaded tasks. Data compression (5.7% ahead), data encryption (22.6% ahead), integer math (11.5% ahead), and random string sorting (8.3% ahead) all favor AMD. Prime number finding shows the largest gap at 36.5%. Users processing large datasets, running encryption, or doing integer-heavy scientific work should look to the Ryzen 5 5600.

The Intel Core i5-12490F wins in floating-point math with a commanding 22% lead, making it suitable for scientific simulations, physics engines, and financial modeling that rely on floating-point operations. The 13.1% single-thread PassMark advantage and 7.3% 3DMark single-thread lead indicate snappier single-threaded response. The 3DMark 16-thread and max-thread wins (5% and 4.9% respectively) show Intel handling moderately threaded workloads well. Physics scores favor Intel by 4.7%. For users prioritizing single-thread speed, floating-point throughput, or physics calculations, the Intel part holds the edge.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-12490F | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 |

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

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 163 mm² | 74 mm² |

| Transistors | Not specified | 4,150 million |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 32 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

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

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $199 |

| Release Date | Not recorded | 2022-04-19 |

| Codename | Alder Lake-S | Vermeer |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 3 |