AMD Ryzen 5 8500G vs Intel Core i5-12600T Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark database places the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G and Intel Core i5-12600T in the same performance percentile, both at the 74th percentile versus all CPUs. However, the recorded head-to-head data shows a decisive, one-sided outcome. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G wins 18 of the 19 benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-12600T manages only a single victory.

The 8500G leads by roughly 19% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 18368 against the Intel chip's 14822. Single-core performance tells a similar story, with the AMD part scoring 2593 in Cinebench R23 single-core, approximately 19.3% ahead of the i5-12600T's 2092. Geekbench results confirm the trend, with the 8500G posting 9444 multi-core and 2354 single-core versus 7374 and 2048 for the Intel chip, representing advantages of 21.9% and 13% respectively.

The sole Intel win comes in PassMark floating point math, where the i5-12600T scores 42295 against the 8500G's 39074, an 8.2% margin. This single bright spot does little to offset the broader pattern. The 8500G also delivers substantial wins in PassMark multi-thread (21610 versus 17446, a 19.3% gap) and PassMark single-thread (3891 versus 3516, a 9.6% gap).

For users deciding between these two 6-core, 12-thread parts, the database points firmly toward the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G. It offers superior performance across rendering, general productivity, and most compute workloads. The Intel Core i5-12600T may appeal only to those with workloads specifically dependent on floating point math, or those constrained by its 35W TDP and older platform requirements. The 8500G is the stronger all-around choice in nearly every measured category.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-12600T boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Q: How much faster is the Ryzen 5 8500G in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The 8500G scores 18368, which is 19.3% higher than the i5-12600T's 14822.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the Intel chip wins?

A: Yes, the i5-12600T wins PassMark floating point math, scoring 42295 versus 39074 for the 8500G, an 8.2% advantage.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G supports DDR5 with a recorded memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-12600T supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but the database does not list a bandwidth figure for it.

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

A: Yes, both have 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which CPU has a higher TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G has a TDP of 65W, while the Intel Core i5-12600T has a TDP of 35W.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core i5-12600T is built on the Alder Lake architecture, specifically the Alder Lake-S die, using Intel's 10 nm process node. Its die size measures 163 mm². In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Phoenix2 codename, manufactured by TSMC on a 4 nm process. The AMD die is smaller at 137 mm² and contains 20,900 million transistors, a figure not listed for the Intel part.

Cache hierarchies differ notably between the two. The Intel chip provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD processor offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. This gives the Intel part a slightly larger cache pool overall, though this does not translate into benchmark superiority.

Memory support also separates the two. The i5-12600T supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the 8500G supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, with a specified bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel chip does not support ECC memory, whereas the AMD part includes ECC support.

Platform connectivity varies as well. The Intel processor uses PCIe Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, while the AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes. The i5-12600T is locked to Intel Socket 1700, and the 8500G uses AMD Socket AM5. Integrated graphics differ: the Intel part ships with UHD Graphics 770, while the AMD part includes Radeon 740M graphics.

Market positioning also contrasts. The Intel i5-12600T is classified as a Desktop part with a 35W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is classified as a Mobile segment processor with a 65W TDP, despite being used in desktop contexts. The AMD part has a recorded release date of 2024-01-07, while the Intel chip's release date is not listed in the database.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights the fields where the two processors differ, based solely on the recorded data.

| Specification | Intel Core i5-12600T | AMD Ryzen 5 8500G |

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

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 35W | 65W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 4 |

| Codename | Alder Lake-S | Phoenix2 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 163 mm² | 137 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 20,900 million |

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

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 18 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 83.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 14 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Radeon 740M |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Launch MSRP | $223 | $179 |

Both processors share 6 cores, 12 threads, dual-channel memory buses, and locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark record is strikingly lopsided. Across 19 comparisons, the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G claims victory in 18. The margins are consistent and often large.

Starting with Cinebench, the 8500G wins every round. In R15 multi-core, it scores 1851 versus 1494, a 19.3% advantage. R15 single-core shows 261 against 210, a 19.5% lead. R20 multi-core gives 7714 versus 6225, again 19.3% ahead. R20 single-core produces 1089 against 878, a 19.4% margin. R23 multi-core delivers 18368 versus 14822, and R23 single-core gives 2593 against 2092, both at 19.3% differences. The consistency of these deltas suggests a systematic performance advantage rather than workload-specific variation.

Geekbench results follow the same direction. The 8500G scores 9444 in multi-core versus 7374 for the Intel chip, a 21.9% gap, the largest multi-core margin in the record. Single-core Geekbench shows 2354 versus 2048, a 13% advantage for AMD.

PassMark tests reveal the breadth of the AMD win. Data compression favors the 8500G at 250197 versus 195924, a 21.7% lead. Data encryption shows 14220 versus 10205, a 28.2% margin. Extended instructions produce 19098 versus 13140, a 31.2% difference, the largest single benchmark gap recorded. Find prime numbers gives 87 versus 76, a 12.6% edge. Integer math favors AMD at 63123 versus 54646, 13.4% ahead. Multi-thread performance lands at 21610 versus 17446, a 19.3% gap. Physics tests show 1318 versus 1212, an 8% difference. Random string sorting delivers 29407 versus 20299, a 31% margin. Single-thread tests give 3891 versus 3516, a 9.6% advantage.

The lone Intel victory comes in floating point math, where the i5-12600T scores 42295 against the 8500G's 39074, an 8.2% lead. This result indicates that the Intel architecture retains a specific strength in floating point operations, even as it loses ground across nearly every other metric.

The data paints a clear picture. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G outperforms the Intel Core i5-12600T by margins ranging from roughly 8% to over 31%, depending on the workload. The Intel part's single win in floating point math does not compensate for its deficits elsewhere. Buyers seeking general performance should prioritize the AMD part based on these measurements.