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

The Intel Core i5-12490F and AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT are both 6-core, 12-thread desktop processors, yet benchmark results show they achieve near-identical average scores despite taking very different routes to get there. The Intel part posts an average benchmark score of 20,802 against the AMD’s 20,733, a margin of just 0.3% that places both CPUs at the 74th percentile among all processors. The head-to-head tally favors Intel 14 wins to 9, but a closer look at the individual tests reveals a clear division of labor: Intel dominates in floating-point and physics workloads, while AMD sweeps the integer and data-processing tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking single result in this comparison is the PassMark physics test. The Intel Core i5-12490F scores 1,345 against the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT’s 875, a 53.7% advantage. That is the largest delta in either direction across all 23 benchmarks. The Intel part also wins PassMark find prime numbers by a massive 52.6% margin (87 versus 57), and it leads PassMark floating-point math by 18.9% (47,326 versus 39,817). In single-threaded performance, the story is consistent: Intel wins PassMark single thread by exactly 10% (3,682 versus 3,348), and the 3DMark single-thread test by 3.6% (946 versus 913). The Intel chip also takes the 3DMark 16-thread and max-thread tests, leading by 7.2% (5,923 versus 5,523) and 6.9% (5,936 versus 5,554) respectively.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT’s wins are concentrated in integer-heavy and data-crunching workloads. Its largest margin is in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 15,873 versus Intel’s 12,018 — a 24.3% lead. It also wins PassMark integer math by 13% (69,566 versus 60,548) and PassMark extended instructions by 11.4% (18,041 versus 15,993). In data compression the AMD part leads 258,882 to 237,304, an 8.3% advantage, and it wins random string sorting by 9.2% (26,188 versus 23,791). The 3DMark low-thread tests favor AMD as well: the 4-thread test shows a 9.1% lead (3,446 versus 3,133), the 2-thread test a 3.7% lead (1,794 versus 1,727), and the 8-thread test a 3.2% lead (4,968 versus 4,811).

The Cinebench suite shows these two CPUs are essentially tied. Across R15, R20, and R23, both multicore and singlecore scores differ by only 0.1% or less. For example, Cinebench R23 multicore is 17,284 for Intel versus 17,272 for AMD, and the singlecore scores are 2,440 versus 2,438. This near-parity extends to the overall PassMark multithread score, where AMD edges ahead by just 0.6% (20,325 versus 20,202). The data indicates that in heavily threaded, mixed workloads, users would be hard-pressed to notice a difference; the performance separation only becomes meaningful when the workload stresses a specific execution unit.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-12490F consistently leads. It wins PassMark single thread by 10% (3,682 versus 3,348) and 3DMark single thread by 3.6% (946 versus 913). Cinebench R23 singlecore shows a negligible 2-point advantage for Intel (2,440 versus 2,438).

Q: How do the two compare in multi-threaded rendering?

A: They are effectively identical. Cinebench R23 multicore scores are 17,284 for Intel and 17,272 for AMD, a 0.1% delta. The PassMark multithread score slightly favors AMD at 20,325 versus 20,202, a 0.6% margin.

Q: Is there a workload where the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT has a clear advantage?

A: Yes, in encryption and integer math. The AMD part leads PassMark data encryption by 24.3% (15,873 versus 12,018) and integer math by 13% (69,566 versus 60,548). It also wins data compression by 8.3% and extended instructions by 11.4%.

Q: Where does the Intel Core i5-12490F dominate?

A: In physics and prime number calculations. The Intel part wins PassMark physics by 53.7% (1,345 versus 875) and find prime numbers by 52.6% (87 versus 57). It also has a 18.9% lead in floating-point math.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-12490F, with an average score of 20,802 versus 20,733 for the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT. This is a 0.3% difference, placing both at the same 74th percentile.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it features a Radeon Vega 7 iGPU. The Intel Core i5-12490F has no integrated graphics listed in the data.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different silicon. The Intel Core i5-12490F uses the Alder Lake-S architecture on a 10 nm process fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 163 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT uses Zen 3 (Cezanne) on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with a die size of 180 mm² and a transistor count of 10,700 million. The AMD chip is physically larger despite having a smaller L3 cache: 16 MB shared versus 20 MB shared for Intel. Per-core cache also differs, with Intel providing 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, while AMD provides 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core.

Platform support diverges significantly. The Intel part uses Socket 1700 and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the AMD part uses Socket AM4 and is limited to DDR4, though it specifies a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. PCIe connectivity also differs: Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), whereas AMD offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor has a locked multiplier, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both CPUs are rated at a 65 W TDP and run at the same 4.60 GHz boost clock, but the AMD part has a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 3.00 GHz for Intel.

The most notable functional difference is the integrated GPU. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT includes a Radeon Vega 7 iGPU, making it a complete package for a system without a discrete graphics card. The Intel Core i5-12490F has no integrated graphics, requiring a dedicated GPU. Additionally, the AMD part has a release date of 2024-01-07 and a launch MSRP of $140, while the Intel part’s release date and launch MSRP are not specified in the data.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for workload-specific selection. Users prioritizing physics simulation, floating-point math, or prime number calculations should choose the Intel Core i5-12490F. Its 53.7% lead in physics and 52.6% lead in prime numbers are decisive, and the 10% single-thread advantage reinforces its strength in lightly threaded applications. The Intel part also holds a slight edge in overall average score (20,802 versus 20,733), making it the marginally higher-performing chip on aggregate.

Conversely, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT is the better choice for data encryption, integer math, and compression workloads. Its 24.3% lead in encryption and 13% lead in integer math are substantial, and it also wins in data compression and random string sorting by roughly 8-9%. The presence of the Radeon Vega 7 iGPU is a functional advantage for builds without a discrete GPU, a feature the Intel part entirely lacks. For users on a tight platform budget, the AMD part’s DDR4-only support and unlocked multiplier, combined with its lower launch MSRP, offer a different value proposition, though the Intel part’s Gen 5 PCIe support and larger L3 cache are hardware advantages in the data.

Specification Differences

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

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

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 3 (Cezanne) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 10,700 million |

| Die Size | 163 mm² | 180 mm² |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.60 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) | 16 MB |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 7 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | Not specified | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $140 |