AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS vs Intel Core i3-12300T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results paint a split picture that depends heavily on which benchmark generation is being examined. In the older Cinebench R15 tests, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS dominates. It scores 1563 versus 1120 in multi-core, a 28.3% advantage for AMD. The single-core R15 result shows a similar gap: 223 versus 157, which is a 29.6% lead for the Ryzen. These are substantial margins, and they suggest that in legacy workloads, the Ryzen's six cores and twelve threads provide a meaningful advantage over the Intel's four cores and eight threads.

However, the newer Cinebench R23 results flip the script entirely. Here, the Intel Core i3-12300T scores 11118 in multi-core against 9564 for the AMD, a 16.2% win for Intel. The single-core R23 test also favors Intel: 1569 versus 1367, a 14.8% advantage. This reversal is curious. It implies that the Intel processor scales better with the newer instruction sets and workload characteristics of R23, despite having fewer physical cores. The data does not explain why, but the pattern is clear: Intel wins the modern Cinebench workloads, while AMD wins the legacy ones.

Geekbench results align more closely with the R23 outcome. The Intel leads in multi-core with 6782 versus 6395, a 6.1% margin. In single-core Geekbench, the Intel advantage expands dramatically to 35.3%, scoring 2123 against 1569. That is the largest single delta in the entire comparison. The Intel's single-core performance in Geekbench is essentially in a different tier from the AMD's. Overall, the Intel wins four of the six head-to-head tests, while AMD wins two. The average benchmark scores reflect this: Intel sits at 3525, AMD at 3447, a modest overall edge for Intel of roughly 2.3%, though this number is not directly stated in the delta fields. The percentile rankings are close too, with Intel at the 55th percentile of all CPUs and AMD at the 54th.

What stands out is the inconsistency across test generations. The R15 tests favor AMD by nearly 30%, while the R23 and Geekbench favor Intel, sometimes by more than 30%. This suggests that the two processors have very different optimization profiles. The Ryzen 5 5600HS appears to shine in older, possibly less vectorized workloads, while the Core i3-12300T excels in modern, more demanding benchmarks. For a buyer, the choice may hinge on which applications they actually run.

Architecture Differences

The underlying designs are fundamentally different. The Intel Core i3-12300T is built on Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-S, using a 10 nm process from Intel's own foundry. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS uses Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, on a 7 nm process from TSMC. The process node difference is notable: 7 nm versus 10 nm, which typically implies higher transistor density and potentially better power efficiency for the AMD chip. The AMD die is also larger at 180 mm², compared to Intel's 163 mm², and AMD's transistor count is stated at 10,700 million, while Intel's transistor count is not recorded.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. Intel offers 4 cores and 8 threads, while AMD offers 6 cores and 12 threads. That is 50% more cores and 50% more threads on the AMD side. Yet, as the benchmarks show, more cores do not always translate to more performance, especially in single-threaded tests or in newer multi-threaded workloads where Intel's architecture appears more efficient per core. The cache hierarchies also diverge. Intel uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. AMD uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. So Intel has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, while AMD has a larger shared L3 pool.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD chip supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The AMD processor has a recorded memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while Intel's memory bandwidth is not listed. PCIe support also differs: Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), whereas AMD provides only Gen 3. This is a major architectural gap for expansion and storage speeds, though the mobile segment of the AMD chip may not fully utilize those lanes.

The integrated graphics differ as well. Intel pairs the Core i3-12300T with UHD Graphics 730, while AMD includes Radeon Vega 7. The market segments are different: Intel is a desktop part on Socket 1700, while AMD is a mobile part on Socket FP6. The Intel processor has a launch MSRP of $97, while the AMD has no recorded launch price. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning no overclocking. The AMD chip has a release date of January 11, 2021, while Intel's release date is not recorded. Both are listed as active in production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i3-12300T has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Why does the Intel chip win in Geekbench single-core despite having fewer cores?

A: The Intel Core i3-12300T scores 2123 in Geekbench single-core versus 1569 for the AMD, a 35.3% advantage. This indicates a stronger single-thread design, likely related to its Alder Lake architecture and larger per-core caches (80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core versus AMD's 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2).

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i3-12300T supports DDR5, as well as DDR4. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS supports only DDR4.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i3-12300T and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS have locked multipliers, so neither is unlocked for overclocking.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: Both have a TDP of 35 watts.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-12300T has an average benchmark score of 3525, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS has 3447. Intel also ranks at the 55th percentile of all CPUs, slightly above AMD's 54th.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i3-12300T has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ: Intel runs at 2.30 GHz, AMD at 3.00 GHz. Boost clocks are identical at 4.20 GHz for both. The process node differs: Intel uses 10 nm from its own foundry, AMD uses 7 nm from TSMC. Die size differs: Intel at 163 mm², AMD at 180 mm². Transistor count is listed only for AMD at 10,700 million.

Cache configurations vary. Intel's L1 is 80 KB per core, AMD's is 64 KB per core. Intel's L2 is 1.25 MB per core, AMD's is 512 KB per core. Intel's L3 is 12 MB shared, AMD's is 16 MB shared. Memory support differs: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, AMD supports only DDR4. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for AMD at 68.3 GB/s. PCIe support differs: Intel has Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), AMD has Gen 3. Integrated graphics differ: Intel uses UHD Graphics 730, AMD uses Radeon Vega 7. Sockets differ: Intel uses Socket 1700, AMD uses Socket FP6. Market segments differ: Intel is desktop, AMD is mobile. The launch MSRP is $97 for Intel, while AMD has none recorded. The AMD chip has a release date of January 11, 2021; Intel's is not recorded.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS wins in legacy Cinebench R15 tests. Its multi-core score of 1563 beats Intel's 1120 by 28.3%, and its single-core score of 223 beats Intel's 157 by 29.6%. For users running older software that relies on those workload patterns, the AMD chip is the stronger performer. Its higher base clock of 3.00 GHz versus 2.30 GHz may also help in lightly threaded, older applications that do not boost well. The AMD chip also offers two additional cores and four additional threads, which could benefit highly parallel legacy workloads that scale with core count.

The Intel Core i3-12300T wins in modern Cinebench R23 and Geekbench tests. It leads in R23 multi-core by 16.2% (11118 versus 9564), in R23 single-core by 14.8% (1569 versus 1367), in Geekbench multi-core by 6.1% (6782 versus 6395), and in Geekbench single-core by 35.3% (2123 versus 1569). For contemporary applications, especially those with strong single-thread demands, Intel is clearly ahead. The Intel chip also supports DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5, making it the more future-proof platform for desktop builders. Its larger L1 and L2 caches per core likely contribute to its single-core dominance.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear but context-dependent conclusion. The Intel Core i3-12300T is the better choice for modern workloads and for users building a desktop system. It wins four of the six head-to-head benchmarks, including all of the Geekbench tests and both Cinebench R23 tests. Its 35.3% single-core Geekbench lead is decisive. It also offers DDR5 support and PCIe Gen 5, which the AMD chip lacks. The Intel chip has a slightly higher average benchmark score (3525 versus 3447) and a slightly higher percentile ranking (55th versus 54th).

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS is the better choice for legacy Cinebench R15 workloads, where it wins by nearly 30% in both multi-core and single-core tests. It also has more cores and threads, which could matter for specific parallel tasks that are not captured in the newer benchmark results. However, its lack of DDR5 support, PCIe Gen 3 limitation, and lower scores in modern benchmarks make it less compelling for new desktop builds. The AMD chip is a mobile part, so it may be more appropriate for laptop or compact mobile systems where its 35-watt TDP and 7 nm process provide efficiency advantages. For desktop users running current software, the Intel Core i3-12300T is the stronger pick based on the recorded measurements.