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

The Intel Core i5-12490F and AMD Ryzen 5 5600G are both 6-core, 12-thread desktop processors, yet benchmark results reveal they are engineered for fundamentally different priorities. The Intel part, built on Alder Lake, demonstrates a commanding lead in raw computational throughput, while the AMD chip, based on Zen 3 with integrated graphics, counters with decisive victories in specific data-handling tasks. The data shows a clear split: the i5-12490F is the superior computing engine, whereas the 5600G holds its ground in specialized workloads and offers an integrated GPU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking disparity in the benchmark suite appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core testing, where the Intel Core i5-12490F scores 17,284 against the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G's 10,551. This represents a massive 63.8% advantage for Intel, indicating that the i5-12490F sustains significantly higher throughput when all cores are engaged in a prolonged render workload. The single-core result in the same test is even more lopsided: the i5-12490F posts 2,440 versus 1,409 for the 5600G, a 73.2% delta that underscores the Intel architecture's superior per-thread execution capabilities.

The 3DMark results paint a similar picture. In the 3dmark_max_threads test, the i5-12490F scores 5,936 compared to 5,455 for the 5600G, an 8.8% win. The 3dmark_single_thread test shows the i5-12490F ahead by 8.5% with a score of 946 versus 872. The 3dmark_16_threads benchmark, which simulates heavy multi-threaded load, also favors Intel at 5,923 versus 5,451, an 8.7% margin. However, the 5600G takes a narrow victory in 3dmark_4_threads, scoring 3,258 against Intel's 3,133, a 3.8% edge for AMD in this specific thread-count scenario.

PassMark's suite of tests reveals the 5600G's strengths. In passmark_data_encryption, the AMD chip scores 15,247 versus Intel's 12,018, a substantial 21.2% lead. The 5600G also wins in passmark_integer_math with 67,344 against 60,548, a 10.1% advantage, and in passmark_data_compression with 249,302 versus 237,304, a 4.8% margin. The AMD part further takes passmark_extended_instructions (17,334 vs 15,993, a 7.7% win) and passmark_random_string_sorting (25,354 vs 23,791, a 6.2% win).

Intel's counterattacks in the PassMark suite are equally decisive. The i5-12490F dominates passmark_find_prime_numbers with a score of 87 versus 57, a staggering 52.6% margin. It also leads in passmark_physics with 1,345 versus 900, a 49.4% difference, and passmark_floating_point_math with 47,326 versus 37,830, a 25.1% gain. In passmark_single_thread, Intel wins with 3,682 versus 3,177, a 15.9% edge, and in passmark_multithread, the i5-12490F posts 20,202 versus 19,717, a 2.5% win. The Cinebench R15 results are closer but still favor Intel: multi-core at 1,742 versus 1,724 (1% delta) and single-core at 245 versus 228 (7.5% delta).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12490F is the clear winner in scenarios demanding high floating-point throughput and raw integer math in a specific pattern. Its 25.1% lead in passmark_floating_point_math and 52.6% lead in passmark_find_prime_numbers suggest it is better suited for scientific computing, physics simulations, and workloads that rely heavily on prime number generation or similar algorithmic operations. The 49.4% advantage in passmark_physics reinforces this, indicating superior performance in physics-based calculations common in engineering and analytical software. The single-threaded wins, particularly the 73.2% margin in Cinebench R23 single-core, make the i5-12490F the better option for lightly-threaded applications like legacy productivity tools or games that rely on one or two fast cores.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G wins in workloads that involve data manipulation and encryption. The 21.2% lead in passmark_data_encryption makes it the stronger choice for file encryption, VPN processing, and secure communication tasks. Its 10.1% win in passmark_integer_math indicates an advantage in general-purpose arithmetic operations, which can benefit databases, financial calculations, and compression algorithms. The 4.8% victory in data compression and 6.2% win in random string sorting further solidify its position for archival, file management, and sorting-heavy data pipelines. The 3.8% win in 3dmark_4_threads hints that the 5600G may handle moderate multi-threaded workloads with lower core counts slightly better than Intel.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in their underlying design. The Intel Core i5-12490F uses the Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 163 mm². In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is built on the Zen 3 architecture (codenamed Cezanne) using a 7 nm process from TSMC, with a larger die size of 180 mm² and 10,700 million transistors. The smaller Intel process node partially explains its higher clock speeds: the i5-12490F has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, while the 5600G runs at 3.90 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. Despite the 5600G's higher base clock, Intel's boost advantage and architectural efficiency yield the significant single-thread performance lead.

Cache configurations also differ markedly. The i5-12490F provides 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with a 20 MB shared L3 cache. The 5600G offers 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a smaller 16 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip's larger caches, particularly the L2 cache, contribute to its superior performance in cache-sensitive workloads. Memory support is another differentiator: the i5-12490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the 5600G is limited to DDR4. The AMD part has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, whereas the Intel chip does not list a bandwidth figure in the data.

Platform features further separate the two. The Intel part uses Socket 1700 with PCIe Gen 5 support and 20 lanes, while the AMD chip uses Socket AM4 with PCIe Gen 3 and 16 lanes. The 5600G includes integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics, whereas the i5-12490F has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the Intel part is locked. Both have a 65 W TDP and do not support ECC memory. The 5600G was released on 2021-04-12 with a launch MSRP of $259.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-12490F is decisively ahead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2,440 versus 1,409 for the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, a 73.2% advantage. The 3dmark_single_thread test shows a similar gap at 8.5% (946 vs 872), and passmark_single_thread gives Intel a 15.9% lead (3,682 vs 3,177).

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the 5600G wins 6 out of 21 head-to-head tests. Its most significant victories are in passmark_data_encryption (15,247 vs 12,018, a 21.2% margin), passmark_integer_math (67,344 vs 60,548, a 10.1% margin), and passmark_data_compression (249,302 vs 237,304, a 4.8% margin). It also wins in passmark_extended_instructions, passmark_random_string_sorting, and 3dmark_4_threads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two CPUs?

A: The biggest delta is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel Core i5-12490F is 73.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G (2,440 vs 1,409). The second-largest is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with Intel leading by 63.8% (17,284 vs 10,551). The smallest gap is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where Intel wins by just 1% (1,742 vs 1,724).

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-12490F and AMD Ryzen 5 5600G feature 6 cores and 12 threads. However, their cache configurations differ: Intel provides 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core with 20 MB L3, while AMD offers 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 16 MB L3.

Q: Which CPU includes integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G includes integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics. The Intel Core i5-12490F has no integrated graphics, meaning it requires a separate discrete GPU for any display output or graphics acceleration.

Q: How do the processors compare in overall average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 21,088 compared to the Intel Core i5-12490F's 20,802. Both have the same percentile ranking of 74 against all CPUs. Despite this, the i5-12490F wins 15 of the 21 head-to-head benchmark comparisons.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice depending on workload. The Intel Core i5-12490F is the stronger processor for pure computational performance. It wins 15 of 21 benchmarks, with overwhelming leads in Cinebench R23 multi-core (63.8%), single-core (73.2%), and passmark_find_prime_numbers (52.6%). For users running CPU-intensive tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, physics simulations, or floating-point-heavy scientific software, the i5-12490F is the unequivocal choice. Its higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz, larger cache hierarchy, and support for DDR5 memory give it a structural advantage in most compute scenarios.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is the better option for workloads involving data encryption, integer math, and compression. Its 21.2% lead in passmark_data_encryption and 10.1% advantage in passmark_integer_math make it suitable for file compression utilities, database operations, and secure data handling. The inclusion of Radeon Vega 7 graphics means the 5600G can operate as a complete system without a discrete GPU, making it a practical choice for basic desktop use or low-cost builds. Its unlocked multiplier also appeals to users who plan to overclock, and its higher base clock of 3.90 GHz provides solid out-of-the-box performance in short bursts.

For buyers who prioritize maximum processing power, the Intel Core i5-12490F is the superior product. For those who need integrated graphics and excel at data-centric tasks, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is the appropriate selection. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (20,802 vs 21,088), but the distribution of wins reveals that the i5-12490F dominates the most demanding compute workloads, while the 5600G excels in niche but important data-processing areas.