AMD Ryzen 7 3800X vs Intel Core i5-12600H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data splits this comparison into two distinct performance profiles. The Intel Core i5-12600H wins the majority of head-to-head tests, taking 11 of 17 recorded comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3800X secures 6 wins. However, the margin of victory tells a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

The Intel part dominates the Cinebench suite across the board. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-12600H scores 2023 against 1974 for the Ryzen 7 3800X, a 2.4% advantage. The single-core Cinebench R15 result is similarly close, 285 versus 278, also a 2.5% edge for Intel. This pattern repeats in every Cinebench generation tested. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 8430 versus 8226 (2.4% ahead), and R20 single-core shows 1189 versus 1161 (2.4% ahead). Cinebench R23 multicore continues the trend with 20072 versus 19588, and R23 single-core with 2833 versus 2765, both at 2.4%. These are consistent but narrow margins, indicating that in pure rendering workloads the Intel mobile processor holds a small but repeatable advantage.

The Passmark suite reveals a very different picture, with each processor winning specific workload categories by substantial margins. The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X delivers its largest victory in Passmark find prime numbers, scoring 103 against 71, a 45.1% lead. Extended instructions show a 38.1% advantage for AMD, with scores of 20037 versus 14508. Data encryption goes to AMD at 19337 versus 14799, a 30.7% gap. Data compression favors AMD at 304853 versus 247404, a 23.2% margin, and random string sorting shows AMD ahead at 32869 versus 27653, an 18.9% difference. The AMD part also wins Passmark multithread, scoring 23046 versus 21128, a 9.1% lead.

The Intel i5-12600H counters with strong wins in other Passmark categories. Its most decisive victory is in single-thread performance, where it scores 3453 against 2712, a 21.5% advantage. Floating point math also goes clearly to Intel, 51264 versus 39759, a 22.4% lead. Integer math favors Intel by a smaller margin, 71168 versus 67725, a 4.8% difference, and physics shows Intel at 1262 versus 1226, a 2.9% edge.

Looking at the broader database context, both processors sit at the 81st percentile among all CPUs. The Ryzen 7 3800X has an average benchmark score of 29447, while the i5-12600H averages 28882. The Ryzen part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 at 29461 (0% delta), the AMD EPYC 9654 at 29409 (0.1%), and the Intel Core i5-13500HX at 29270 (0.6%). The Intel i5-12600H's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i9-13900H at 28886 (0%), the AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT at 28940 (-0.2%), and the Intel Core i7-12650H at 28815 (0.2%). These rival clusters show that both processors are tightly grouped with other high-end parts from their respective eras.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Matisse codename, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC with 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-12600H uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-H, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a 217 mm² die size and no transistor count recorded in the database.

Core configurations differ significantly. The Ryzen 7 3800X has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-12600H has 12 cores and 16 threads. Both parts present 16 threads to the operating system, but the Intel chip does so through a hybrid arrangement of performance and efficiency cores typical of Alder Lake, whereas the AMD chip uses 8 full Zen 2 cores with simultaneous multithreading.

Clock behavior also diverges. The AMD part has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Intel part lists a base clock of 2.70 GHz and the same 4.50 GHz boost. The power envelopes differ dramatically, which matters given their market segments. The Ryzen 7 3800X carries a 105 W TDP and targets the desktop segment with an AMD Socket AM4. The i5-12600H is a mobile processor with a 45 W TDP on Intel BGA 1744.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The Ryzen 7 3800X provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3 cache. The i5-12600H provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The AMD part therefore has substantially more L3 capacity, while the Intel part has larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations.

Memory support also separates the two. The Ryzen 7 3800X supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a recorded bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The i5-12600H supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also on a dual-channel bus, though its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. Neither processor supports ECC memory. PCI Express connectivity shows the AMD part with Gen 4 across 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part offers Gen 4 across 20 lanes (CPU only). The Intel chip integrates Iris Xe 80EU graphics, while the AMD part has no integrated graphics recorded.

The Ryzen 7 3800X has an unlocked multiplier and carries the part number 100-000000025. The i5-12600H has a locked multiplier and part number SRLCZ. The AMD processor launched on 2019-07-06 with a launch MSRP of $399. The Intel processor has no release date or launch MSRP recorded in the database. The AMD part belongs to the 3000 series and Ryzen 7 generation, while the Intel part belongs to Core 12th Gen.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear decision framework based on workload type. The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X is the stronger choice for workloads that stress data handling and security-related operations. Its 45.1% lead in prime number finding, 38.1% lead in extended instructions, 30.7% lead in data encryption, and 23.2% lead in data compression make it the superior processor for these specific computational tasks. The 18.9% advantage in random string sorting and 9.1% advantage in multithread performance reinforce this profile.

The Intel Core i5-12600H is the better pick for single-threaded responsiveness and floating point mathematics. Its 21.5% lead in single-thread performance is the largest single advantage in the entire comparison, and the 22.4% lead in floating point math shows clear superiority in that domain. The smaller wins in integer math (4.8%), physics (2.9%), and the consistent 2.4% edge across all Cinebench versions indicate that the Intel part handles both synthetic rendering and general computational workloads with slightly better efficiency.

For buyers choosing between a desktop and mobile platform, the market segment difference is decisive. The Ryzen 7 3800X is a desktop processor with a 105 W TDP and no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. The i5-12600H is a mobile processor with a 45 W TDP and integrated Iris Xe 80EU graphics, suitable for laptops where power efficiency matters. The 105 W versus 45 W TDP gap reflects this fundamental positioning.

Neither processor is dramatically ahead in average benchmark score. The Ryzen 7 3800X averages 29447 against 28882 for the i5-12600H, a difference of roughly 2%. Both sit at the 81st percentile, and both are surrounded by similar-performing rivals. The choice comes down to whether the workload leans toward the AMD part's data-centric strengths or the Intel part's single-thread and floating point advantages.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following recorded specifications:

• Cores: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X has 8 cores; Intel Core i5-12600H has 12 cores.
• Base clock: AMD at 3.90 GHz; Intel at 2.70 GHz.
• TDP: AMD at 105 W; Intel at 45 W.
• Socket: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel BGA 1744.
• Architecture: Zen 2 (Matisse) versus Alder Lake (Alder Lake-H).
• Process node: 7 nm TSMC versus 10 nm Intel.
• Transistors: 3,800 million for AMD; none recorded for Intel.
• Die size: 74 mm² for AMD; 217 mm² for Intel.
• L1 cache: 64 KB per core for AMD; 80 KB per core for Intel.
• L2 cache: 512 KB per core for AMD; 1.25 MB per core for Intel.
• L3 cache: 32 MB for AMD; 18 MB shared for Intel.
• Memory support: DDR4 for AMD; DDR4 and DDR5 for Intel.
• Memory bandwidth: 51.2 GB/s for AMD; none recorded for Intel.
• PCIe: Gen 4, 24 lanes for AMD; Gen 4, 20 lanes for Intel.
• Integrated graphics: None for AMD; Iris Xe 80EU for Intel.
• Market segment: Desktop for AMD; Mobile for Intel.
• Multiplier: Unlocked for AMD; locked for Intel.
• Part number: 100-000000025 for AMD; SRLCZ for Intel.
• Release date: 2019-07-06 for AMD; none recorded for Intel.
• Launch MSRP: $399 for AMD; none recorded for Intel.
• Threads: both have 16 threads.
• Boost clock: both at 4.50 GHz.
• Memory bus: both dual-channel.
• ECC memory: false for both.
• Production status: Active for both.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600H has 12 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3800X has 8 cores. Both processors have 16 threads.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-12600H scores 20072 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3800X scores 19588. The Intel part leads by 2.4%.

Q: Which processor is better for data encryption workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X is significantly better, scoring 19337 in Passmark data encryption against 14799 for the Intel Core i5-12600H, a 30.7% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X has a TDP of 105 W, while the Intel Core i5-12600H has a TDP of 45 W. This reflects the AMD part's desktop orientation and the Intel part's mobile design.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 3800X supports DDR4 only, while the Intel Core i5-12600H supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which processor has higher single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600H is ahead in single-thread performance. In Passmark single-thread, it scores 3453 versus 2712 for the AMD Ryzen 7 3800X, a 21.5% lead. The Intel part also leads in Cinebench R23 single-core, 2833 versus 2765.