AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G vs Intel Core i5-12600K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a heavily one-sided contest in raw workload performance, with the Intel Core i5-12600K taking 16 of 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G manages a single, notable victory, but the margins across the majority of tests are substantial. The Intel part leads by 32% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (2555 versus 1738), by 26.2% in Cinebench R20 multi-core (9821 versus 7244), and by 30.7% in PassMark multithread (27608 versus 19129). These are not narrow wins; they reflect a consistent throughput advantage across rendering and general parallel workloads.

The gap widens further in specific compute tasks. PassMark floating point math shows the Intel chip at 67217 against 38649 for the AMD part, a 42.5% deficit for the Ryzen. PassMark physics is even more lopsided: 1525 versus 686, a 55% difference. Prime number finding, a test sensitive to both integer throughput and memory latency, shows Intel at 91 versus 49, a 46.2% margin. Data compression also favors Intel clearly, 344071 versus 255608, a 25.7% difference. Even in encryption, where AMD parts often show relative strength, Intel leads by 17.5% (18485 versus 15253). Extended instruction performance follows the same pattern, with Intel ahead by 18.4% (22002 versus 17944).

Single-threaded results are mixed but generally favor Intel. PassMark single-thread shows Intel at 3926 versus 3241, a 17.4% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core and R20 single-core also go to Intel, by 10.9% and 26.3% respectively. The exception is Cinebench R23 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G posts 2435 against 1907 for Intel, a 27.7% win. That is a striking outlier. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the two are nearly tied: 17249 for AMD versus 17491 for Intel, a delta of only 1.4%. The data suggests that under the R23 workload, the AMD architecture is competitive, but in nearly every other measured scenario, the Intel processor holds a commanding lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors approach multi-core performance from fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G uses the Zen 3 architecture on the Cezanne codename, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Intel Core i5-12600K uses Alder Lake-S, a 10 nm Intel process, with 10 cores and 16 threads, base clock 3.70 GHz and boost clock 4.90 GHz. The core count difference is central to the benchmark outcomes: Intel has 4 more physical cores, and its hybrid Alder Lake design mixes performance and efficiency cores to cover a wider range of thread counts.

Cache configurations also differ. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on Intel likely contributes to its strong showing in integer math and compression tests. Memory support differs as well: the AMD chip supports DDR4 only, with a dual-channel bus and a recorded bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database. ECC memory is supported on the AMD processor but not on the Intel one.

PCIe capabilities are another split. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core i5-12600K provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). That is a generational difference in both standard and lane count, which matters for storage and GPU connectivity in a desktop build. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD includes Radeon Vega 7, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 770. Neither is a high-end GPU, but the presence of iGPU on both means the comparison does not hinge on discrete graphics availability.

The socket and platform are entirely separate. AMD uses Socket AM4, Intel uses Socket 1700. The AMD processor is not multiplier-unlocked, while the Intel part is. The production status is active for both, but the release dates are far apart: the AMD chip entered the database with a release date of 2024-05-06, while the Intel chip was released on 2021-11-03. That timing difference is worth noting: the AMD part is a much newer product in the database, yet it trails in most measured metrics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600K leads narrowly with a score of 17491 against 17249 for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G, a delta of only 1.4%. This is the closest multi-core result in the head-to-head data.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G beats the Intel Core i5-12600K?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD part scores 2435 versus 1907 for Intel, a 27.7% advantage. That is the single recorded win for the AMD processor.

Q: How large is the performance gap in PassMark multithread?

A: The Intel chip scores 27608 versus 19129 for AMD, which is a 30.7% lead. The difference reflects the Intel processor's higher core count and thread count.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i5-12600K has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-12600K does not.

Q: What PCIe generations do the two CPUs support?

A: The AMD processor supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every core specification field. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i5-12600K has 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are close: 3.90 GHz for AMD versus 3.70 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks differ more: 4.40 GHz for AMD versus 4.90 GHz for Intel. TDP is another major split: 65 watts for the AMD part versus 125 watts for the Intel part. The database records the Intel chip's launch MSRP as $289, which is stated once here and not repeated.

Cache hierarchies are distinct. AMD offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3. Intel offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. Memory support: AMD supports DDR4 only, Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for AMD, at 51.2 GB/s. ECC memory: yes for AMD, no for Intel. PCIe: AMD has Gen 3 with 16 lanes, Intel has Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics: Radeon Vega 7 on AMD, UHD Graphics 770 on Intel. Socket: AM4 for AMD, 1700 for Intel. Architecture: Zen 3 (Cezanne) for AMD, Alder Lake-S for Intel. Process node: 7 nm for AMD, 10 nm for Intel. Foundry: TSMC for AMD, Intel for Intel. Transistor count: 10,700 million for AMD, not recorded for Intel. Die size: 180 mm² for AMD, 215 mm² for Intel. Multiplier unlocked: false for AMD, true for Intel. Release date: 2024-05-06 for AMD, 2021-11-03 for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12600K wins in the overwhelming majority of measured scenarios. Any workload that scales with core count, thread count, or raw throughput favors Intel. This includes Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core, PassMark multithread, floating point math, integer math, physics simulation, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, and random string sorting. The margins range from 1.4% to 55%, with most falling between 17% and 46%. For users running render farms, video encoding, scientific computation, or heavy multitasking, the data points squarely to the Intel part.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G wins in exactly one scenario: Cinebench R23 single-core. The 27.7% margin there is significant, but it is a single benchmark. In PassMark single-thread, Intel leads by 17.4%, which suggests the R23 result is workload-specific rather than a general single-thread superiority. The AMD part also holds a near tie in Cinebench R23 multi-core, losing by only 1.4%. That is a meaningful data point for users specifically targeting that renderer. Additionally, the AMD chip has a lower TDP at 65 watts versus 125 watts, which implies lower power draw, though the database does not include measured power consumption. It also supports ECC memory, which is a feature requirement for some professional or server-adjacent workloads.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-12600K is the stronger performer in 16 of 17 head-to-head tests. Its wins span multi-core rendering, single-thread PassMark, encryption, compression, physics, and math workloads. The margins are often large, sometimes exceeding 40%. For any user prioritizing raw compute performance across a broad set of applications, the Intel part is the clear choice based on recorded scores.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G is the pick only in a narrow scenario. If the primary workload is Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip offers a 27.7% advantage. If the workload is Cinebench R23 multi-core, the two are essentially tied, with Intel ahead by just 1.4%. The AMD processor also brings ECC memory support and a 65 watt TDP, which may matter for specific builds. But on pure benchmark results, the Intel Core i5-12600K dominates. The database shows an 80th percentile ranking for AMD versus 79th for Intel in overall CPU percentile, but the head-to-head scores tell a more direct story. Users who need maximum measured performance should choose Intel; users who need ECC, lower TDP, or are locked into the AM4 platform may find the AMD part sufficient, especially given its competitive R23 results.