AMD Ryzen 7 5700G vs Intel Core i5-12600K Comparison

The Intel Core i5-12600K and AMD Ryzen 7 5700G represent two distinct approaches to desktop computing. The Intel part is a hybrid design with 10 cores, while the AMD chip is a monolithic 8-core processor with integrated graphics. Benchmark results from the database show a clear overall winner, but the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G does hold ground in specific workloads. The data reveals that the Intel Core i5-12600K wins 21 of the 23 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G taking only 2 victories.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Core i5-12600K comes in the Cinebench R23 multicore test. The Intel processor scores 17491 points against the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G's 12830.5 points, a delta of 36.3%. This is the largest percentage gap in any of the head-to-head results. The Cinebench R23 single-core test also heavily favors Intel, with scores of 1907 and 1494 respectively, a 27.6% advantage. These results indicate that the Intel chip has a substantial lead in both lightly threaded and heavily threaded rendering workloads.

The Geekbench results follow a similar pattern. In the Geekbench multicore test, the Intel Core i5-12600K scores 12599 against the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G's 9950, a 26.6% difference. The single-core Geekbench test shows the Intel part ahead by 15.6%, with scores of 2190 and 1894. The 3DMark suite also favors Intel across every thread count tested. The 3DMark 16-thread test shows a 20.3% lead for Intel (7975 vs 6629), while the max-thread test shows a nearly identical 20.2% advantage (7966 vs 6627). Even in the 2-thread test, Intel maintains a 13.1% lead (1989 vs 1758).

PassMark results are mixed, with Intel winning most tests but AMD taking two important ones. The PassMark single-thread test shows Intel ahead by 19.6%, scoring 3926 against 3283. The PassMark physics test is a major win for Intel, with a 52.7% lead (1525 vs 999). The PassMark floating point math test also goes to Intel by 31% (67217 vs 51296). The largest single delta in the entire comparison is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where Intel scores 91 against AMD's 59, a 54.2% advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G wins the PassMark data encryption test, scoring 20325 against Intel's 18485, a 9.1% lead. It also wins the PassMark integer math test, scoring 91541 against Intel's 87776, a 4.1% advantage. These are the only two benchmark wins for the AMD part. The Intel chip wins the PassMark data compression test by 8.1% (344071 vs 318262), the extended instructions test by a narrow 0.7% (22002 vs 21847), and the random string sorting test by 6.9% (35704 vs 33384). In the PassMark multithread test, Intel leads by 13.1% (27608 vs 24419).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12600K is the clear choice for rendering and content creation workloads. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 17491 is a strong indicator of performance in video encoding, 3D rendering, and other multi-threaded creative tasks. The 36.3% lead over the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G in that test is substantial. The Geekbench multicore result, a 26.6% advantage, reinforces this conclusion. For users who run physics simulations or heavy floating point calculations, the Intel part also has a decisive edge, with a 52.7% lead in PassMark physics and a 31% lead in floating point math.

Single-threaded performance also belongs to Intel. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1907 is 27.6% higher than the AMD part's 1494. The Geekbench single-core score of 2190 is 15.6% higher. This translates to faster response in everyday applications, web browsing, and lightly threaded software. The 3DMark 2-thread and 4-thread results, where Intel leads by 13.1% and 12% respectively, support this assessment.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G has a narrower set of advantages. Its win in PassMark data encryption, with a 9.1% lead, suggests it handles encryption tasks efficiently. Its PassMark integer math score of 91541, a 4.1% lead, indicates an edge in workloads that rely heavily on integer arithmetic. These are specific, targeted strengths rather than general performance advantages. The AMD chip also carries integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which is a feature not present in the Intel part's UHD Graphics 770 in terms of the same performance class, though both have integrated graphics.

For system builders, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G has the advantage of a lower 65W TDP compared to the Intel Core i5-12600K's 125W TDP. This makes the AMD part more suitable for compact builds with modest cooling requirements. The Intel chip, with its higher power envelope, may require more robust cooling solutions. The AMD part also uses the AM4 socket, which has a long installation base, while Intel uses Socket 1700.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i5-12600K uses Alder Lake, specifically the Alder Lake-S die, which is Intel's hybrid architecture combining performance and efficiency cores. It is manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The die size is 215 mm². The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, and is manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The AMD die is smaller at 180 mm² and contains 10,700 million transistors.

Core configurations differ significantly. The Intel Core i5-12600K has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G has 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part matches the thread count due to simultaneous multithreading. The Intel chip's hybrid design means it has a mix of core types, which is a key architectural difference from the AMD part's uniform core layout.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Intel Core i5-12600K has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with a smaller 16 MB L3 cache. The larger L3 cache on the Intel part may contribute to its performance advantage in certain workloads.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Intel Core i5-12600K supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G supports only DDR4. The AMD part has a stated memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel part's bandwidth is not recorded in the database. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

PCIe support differs as well. The Intel Core i5-12600K offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This gives the Intel platform more bandwidth for high-speed storage and graphics cards. The integrated graphics also differ: Intel includes UHD Graphics 770, while AMD includes Radeon Vega 8.

Release dates are close, with the AMD part launching on April 12, 2021, and the Intel part on November 3, 2021. Both processors have unlocked multipliers for overclocking. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $289. The AMD part's launch MSRP is not recorded in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600K is significantly faster in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 17491 against the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G's 12830.5, a 36.3% advantage. The Geekbench multicore test shows a 26.6% lead for Intel, with scores of 12599 and 9950.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G wins two of the 23 head-to-head tests. It leads in PassMark data encryption with a score of 20325 against Intel's 18485, a 9.1% higher. It also wins PassMark integer math with 91541 against Intel's 87776, a 4.1% lead.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600K dominates single-threaded tests. It scores 1907 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 1494 for the AMD part, a 27.6% lead. In Geekbench single-core, Intel scores 2190 against 1894, a 15.6% advantage.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-12600K has 10 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G has 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD part achieves the same thread count with fewer cores through simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Which processor has a lower power draw?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G has a 65W TDP, while the Intel Core i5-12600K has a 125W TDP. The AMD part is more power-efficient on paper, which may make it easier to cool in compact systems.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both have integrated graphics. The Intel Core i5-12600K includes UHD Graphics 770, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G includes Radeon Vega 8. This allows both to run without a discrete graphics card.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Intel Core i5-12600K has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 3.70 GHz for Intel and 3.80 GHz for AMD, with boost clocks of 4.90 GHz and 4.60 GHz respectively. The TDP is 125W for Intel and 65W for AMD.

The socket types differ: Intel uses Socket 1700, while AMD uses AM4. The architectures are Alder Lake for Intel and Zen 3 for AMD, with codenames Alder Lake-S and Cezanne respectively. The process nodes are 10 nm for Intel and 7 nm for AMD, with foundries of Intel and TSMC. The AMD die contains 10,700 million transistors, while Intel's transistor count is not recorded.

Cache configurations differ. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 20 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of L3. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 for Intel, but only DDR4 for AMD. The AMD part has a stated memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while Intel's is not recorded.

PCIe support differs: Intel offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while AMD offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 for Intel and Radeon Vega 8 for AMD. The release dates are November 3, 2021 for Intel and April 12, 2021 for AMD. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $289, while AMD's is not recorded. Both have unlocked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory.