AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE vs Intel Core i5-12600 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results reveal a surprisingly consistent pattern: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE wins most of the individual tests, but the Intel Core i5-12600 takes the largest single victory by a wide margin. Across 17 recorded comparisons, the AMD processor claims 12 wins, while the Intel chip secures 5, including one tie that is credited to Intel.

The most striking result is in PassMark floating point math. The Intel Core i5-12600 scores 50,838 against the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE's 39,233, a 29.6% advantage. This is by far the largest delta in either direction and suggests a fundamental strength in the Intel architecture for this workload. In integer math, Intel also leads, scoring 66,123 versus 63,045, a 4.9% edge. The PassMark physics test shows another Intel win at 1,365 versus 1,237, a 10.3% gap.

The AMD processor responds with a cluster of wins in Cinebench tests, though the margins are narrow. In Cinebench R15 multicore, AMD scores 1,854 against Intel's 1,824, a 1.6% lead. The single-core R15 test shows AMD at 261 versus 257, a 1.5% edge. The R20 multicore result repeats the pattern: 7,725 for AMD against 7,604 for Intel, again a 1.6% difference. The R20 single-core test gives AMD 1,090 versus 1,073, a 1.6% margin. Cinebench R23 multicore shows AMD at 18,395 versus Intel's 18,105, and the single-core test gives AMD 2,597 against 2,556, both at 1.6% deltas.

The PassMark multithread test slightly favors AMD, 21,502 versus 21,399, a 0.5% difference. In PassMark single-thread performance, AMD scores 3,909 against Intel's 3,823, a 2.2% lead. The data encryption test shows AMD ahead with 14,163 versus 13,084, a 7.6% advantage. Extended instructions also favor AMD: 17,999 against 17,027, a 5.4% margin.

Two tests stand out for their unusual patterns. In PassMark random string sorting, AMD wins by a substantial 17.3%, scoring 31,240 versus 25,832. This is the second-largest delta in the entire comparison. At the other extreme, PassMark find prime numbers is a dead heat: both processors score exactly 83, a tie that the database credits to Intel with a 0% delta.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-12600 uses Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 163 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE uses Zen 4 architecture in the Phoenix2 design, fabricated by TSMC on a 4 nm process with a die size of 137 mm². AMD's transistor count is listed at 20,900 million, while Intel's transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Both processors have 6 cores and 12 threads, so the comparison is not about core count. The clock speeds differ slightly: Intel runs at a 3.30 GHz base clock with a 4.80 GHz boost, while AMD runs at 3.40 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost. The AMD chip has a 35 W TDP, while the Intel part is rated at 65 W, a notable difference given the close benchmark results.

Cache configurations also diverge. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel has the larger caches at every level, yet AMD still manages to win most benchmarks.

Memory support reveals a significant platform split. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. AMD records a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, while Intel's bandwidth is not listed. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. PCIe connectivity differs: Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while AMD offers Gen 4 with 14 lanes.

The integrated graphics differ as well. Intel integrates UHD Graphics 770, while AMD integrates Radeon 740M. The market segments are different, with Intel classified as Desktop and AMD classified as Mobile, though AMD's socket is AM5.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data points to a clear division of labor. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE dominates in the broader set of tests, taking 12 of 17 comparisons. Its wins span the Cinebench suite across both single-core and multicore workloads, the PassMark multithread test, single-thread performance, data encryption, extended instructions, and random string sorting. This is a processor that excels in general-purpose computing, rendering tasks measured by Cinebench, and cryptographic workloads.

The Intel Core i5-12600 wins in fewer tests but with larger margins. Its 29.6% lead in floating point math is the standout result, indicating strong performance in scientific computing, simulation, and any workload that relies heavily on floating-point operations. The 10.3% physics win reinforces this pattern, as physics calculations tend to be floating-point intensive. The integer math win, while smaller at 4.9%, still represents a meaningful edge for general computation.

The random string sorting result is worth examining closely. AMD's 17.3% lead here suggests a significant advantage in memory access patterns or string manipulation routines. This could translate to better performance in text processing, database operations, or any workload involving sorting large datasets.

Data compression is the one area where Intel wins by a smaller margin. Intel scores 252,160 against AMD's 248,675, a 1.4% edge. This is a narrow win, suggesting that neither processor has a decisive advantage in compression tasks.

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture. If the selection criteria prioritize the broadest set of wins, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE is the stronger choice. It wins 12 of 17 benchmarks, including all six Cinebench tests, which are commonly used to evaluate rendering and content creation performance. Its win in PassMark multithread, the aggregate performance measure, also supports this conclusion.

The Intel Core i5-12600 is the better pick for workloads that are heavy on floating-point math. The 29.6% lead in that specific test is decisive, and the 10.3% physics win makes a compelling case for simulation and scientific applications. Its integer math advantage, while smaller, adds to the profile.

Both processors sit at the 80th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are close: 28,646 for Intel versus 28,054 for AMD. The Intel chip's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-13500T, scores 28,670, a 0.1% delta. The AMD chip's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-14500T, scores 28,065, a 0% delta. These figures place both processors in a similar performance tier.

The TDP difference matters for system design. The AMD processor's 35 W rating, half of Intel's 65 W, makes it the more power-efficient option on paper, particularly relevant for compact or thermally constrained systems. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, which is a requirement in some professional and server environments. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, which could be an advantage for upgrade paths from older platforms.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-12600 wins 5.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600 leads by 29.6% in PassMark floating point math, scoring 50,838 versus 39,233.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE scores 18,395 against the Intel Core i5-12600's 18,105, a 1.6% advantage for AMD.

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

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

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-12600 does not.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-12600 | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE |

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

| Base clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 4 (Phoenix2) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 20,900 million |

| Die size | 163 mm² | 137 mm² |

| 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 recorded | 83.2 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 lanes | Gen 4, 14 lanes |

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

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Launch MSRP | $233 | Not recorded |