AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS vs Intel Core i5-12400F Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS and Intel Core i5-12400F are statistically inseparable in aggregate performance, with average benchmark scores of 19047 and 19039, respectively, and a deltaPct of 0. Both CPUs hold the same 73rd percentile ranking among all processors. However, this overall parity masks a starkly different performance profile. The Intel Core i5-12400F wins 20 of 23 head-to-head benchmarks, often by significant margins, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS secures only 3 wins. The data indicates the i5-12400F is the superior choice for compute-heavy desktop workloads, while the 7535HS is a mobile part that trades raw performance for a much lower thermal envelope.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unequivocal regarding raw performance: the Intel Core i5-12400F is the faster processor in nearly every measurable category. It leads by 30.4% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (12380 vs 8613) and by 22.4% in Geekbench multi-core (9472 vs 7354). For users building a desktop system where performance is the sole priority, the i5-12400F is the clear choice. Its wins are not marginal; they represent substantial performance advantages in rendering, physics simulation, and floating-point math.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, however, is not without its merits. Its 3 wins are specific and notable: a 16.9% advantage in Passmark data encryption (13656 vs 11679), a 4% lead in Passmark integer math (62372 vs 59995), and a 3.2% win in 3DMark 4-thread (3164 vs 3067). This makes it a better option for specific security-related tasks and certain integer-heavy workloads. Furthermore, its 35W TDP versus the i5-12400F's 65W TDP positions it for a completely different market segment—mobile laptops—where sustained performance under power constraints matters more than peak throughput. The verdict is not about which is "better" overall, but which is appropriate for the intended platform.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies and market targets. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS is built on the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt-R, using a 6 nm process node from TSMC. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.55 GHz. Its design prioritizes energy efficiency, evidenced by its 35W TDP and its integration of Radeon 660M graphics. It is a mobile processor, using the AMD Socket FP7.

The Intel Core i5-12400F is an Alder Lake-S desktop processor built on a 10 nm process from Intel. It also has 6 cores and 12 threads, but with a lower base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its 65W TDP is nearly double that of the AMD part, reflecting its focus on sustained desktop performance. Crucially, it has no integrated graphics, as denoted by the "F" suffix, requiring a discrete GPU. The cache hierarchies also differ, with the Intel part having a larger 18 MB shared L3 cache and 1.25 MB L2 per core, versus 16 MB L3 and 512 KB L2 per core on the AMD. The Intel part also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD part only supports DDR5.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a clear pattern of Intel dominance, particularly in multi-threaded and sustained workloads. The largest Intel victory is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 12380 against the AMD's 8613, a 30.4% difference. This is a massive gap that indicates the Intel part's ability to maintain high clocks under load. Similarly, in Passmark physics, the Intel part scores 1202 versus 844, a 29.8% advantage, and in Passmark find prime numbers, it leads by 31.9% (72 vs 49). These results illustrate a consistent trend of the i5-12400F being significantly more capable in CPU-intensive tasks.

The Intel part also dominates single-threaded performance, albeit by smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it leads by 14% (1680 vs 1445). In Geekbench single-core, the lead is 15.8% (1964 vs 1654). The 3DMark single-thread score shows a 4.1% Intel advantage (909 vs 872). These single-thread wins are important for everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications. The only areas where the AMD part shows a decisive edge are in data encryption (16.9% faster) and integer math (4% faster), suggesting its architecture is better optimized for these specific instruction sets. In memory-intensive tasks like data compression, the Intel part wins by 5% (233327 vs 221668), but the margin is much smaller than in other tests.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet reveals the core differences between the two parts beyond their benchmark scores. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS has a higher base clock (3.30 GHz vs 2.50 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.55 GHz vs 4.40 GHz) than the Intel Core i5-12400F. However, the Intel part has a significantly lower TDP at 65W, which is still higher than the AMD's 35W. The AMD part is fabricated on a more advanced 6 nm process by TSMC, while Intel uses its 10 nm process. The die sizes differ, with the AMD at 208 mm² and the Intel at 163 mm².

Memory support is a key differentiator. The AMD part exclusively supports DDR5, while the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5, offering more flexibility in platform choice. The AMD part has a specified memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Intel part's bandwidth is not listed. PCIe support also differs: the AMD part uses Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Intel part uses the newer Gen 5 standard with 20 lanes. The AMD part includes Radeon 660M integrated graphics, whereas the Intel "F" part has none. The AMD part was released on 2023-01-03, and the Intel part on 2022-01-03. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $174; the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-12400F is significantly faster. It leads by 30.4% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (12380 vs 8613) and by 22.4% in Geekbench multi-core (9472 vs 7354).

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins 3 out of 23 head-to-head tests. Its most notable win is in Passmark data encryption, where it is 16.9% faster (13656 vs 11679). It also wins in Passmark integer math by 4% (62372 vs 59995) and 3DMark 4-thread by 3.2% (3164 vs 3067).

Q: Which processor is better for single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400F is better. It wins the 3DMark single-thread test by 4.1% (909 vs 872), Cinebench R23 single-core by 14% (1680 vs 1445), and Geekbench single-core by 15.8% (1964 vs 1654).

Q: Are these processors in the same performance class overall?

A: Yes, their average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS has an average score of 19047, and the Intel Core i5-12400F has an average of 19039, with a deltaPct of 0. Both also have the same 73rd percentile rank.

Q: What are the key platform differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS is a mobile processor with a 35W TDP and integrated Radeon 660M graphics, using DDR5 memory. The Intel Core i5-12400F is a desktop processor with a 65W TDP, no integrated graphics, and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS has a higher boost clock of 4.55 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i5-12400F's 4.40 GHz. The AMD part also has a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.50 GHz.