AMD Ryzen 7 5800X vs Intel Core i5-12600H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X and Intel Core i5-12600H present a clear generational and architectural split: a desktop processor built for sustained throughput versus a mobile processor designed for efficiency and burst performance. The benchmark data shows the Ryzen 7 5800X winning 10 of 15 head-to-head tests, yet the Intel chip claims the most modern single-thread workloads. Both processors sit at the 81st percentile among all CPUs, with near-identical average benchmark scores of 29123 for the AMD part and 28882 for the Intel part, a gap of only 0.8%. The differences are not in overall standing but in where each processor directs its strength.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic single-thread result belongs to the Intel Core i5-12600H in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2833 against the Ryzen 7 5800X's 1574.5. That is a 44.4% advantage for Intel, the largest margin in any test. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, with Intel leading 285 to 265.5, a 6.8% edge. These are not marginal wins; the Alder Lake architecture delivers a decisive lead in lightly-threaded rendering tasks.

The multi-core picture is contradictory. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip wins again, scoring 20072 versus 15476 for the AMD part, a 22.9% margin. Yet in Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 7 5800X wins decisively, scoring 2608.5 against 2023, a 28.9% lead. The R15 test favors the AMD processor's higher sustained clock behavior, while the R23 test rewards the Intel chip's hybrid core count and newer instruction scheduling. Benchmark methodology matters here, and the two Cinebench versions tell opposite stories.

For synthetic system workloads, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X dominates. In PassMark integer math, it scores 94969 versus 71168, a 33.4% lead. Floating-point math is closer, with AMD ahead 52639 to 51264, a 2.7% margin. The largest AMD win comes in extended instructions, where it scores 23573 against 14508, a 62.5% advantage. Prime number finding shows a 74.6% lead (124 vs 71), and data encryption favors AMD by 43.2% (21191 vs 14799). Data compression also goes to AMD, 345414 vs 247404, a 39.6% gap.

PassMark multithread confirms the AMD advantage in aggregate throughput: 27732 versus 21128, a 31.3% lead. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 28% (35401 vs 27653), and physics simulation favors AMD by 8.1% (1364 vs 1262). The only Intel wins outside Cinebench are in PassMark single-thread and singlethread, where the scores are 3453 versus 3445, a 0.2% margin. That is essentially a tie, but it still counts as a win for Intel in the official tally.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X wins in every PassMark test except the two single-thread variants. Its strongest categories are compute-heavy integer and encryption workloads, where the 33.4% and 43.2% margins indicate that the Zen 3 architecture's 8 full cores with 16 threads are well-suited to parallel math. The 62.5% lead in extended instructions suggests the AMD processor handles AVX-512-like or other wide instruction sets more efficiently in this benchmark suite. For users running data compression, encryption, or scientific computing loops, the Ryzen 7 5800X is the clear choice based on these numbers.

The Intel Core i5-12600H wins in Cinebench R23 both single-core and multi-core, plus a narrow 0.2% margin in PassMark single-thread. The 44.4% single-core lead in R23 is the standout result, indicating that the Alder Lake performance cores (P-cores) deliver exceptional single-thread burst performance. The 22.9% multi-core win in R23 is notable because it shows the Intel chip can also win in a modern multi-threaded renderer, despite having a lower base clock of 2.70 GHz versus the AMD's 3.80 GHz. The Intel part's advantage in Cinebench R23 likely comes from its 12 physical cores (4 performance + 8 efficiency) and higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz under short workloads.

For single-threaded applications like older games or lightly-threaded productivity tools, the Intel chip's consistent edge in R15, R23, and PassMark single-thread indicates it will feel snappier in per-core tasks. The AMD part counters with a 28.9% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core, which suggests that for sustained all-core loads in that older benchmark, the Ryzen 7 5800X's higher base clock and unified 16-thread design prevail.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is built on TSMC's 7 nm process with 4,150 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. It uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, with 8 cores and 16 threads. Each core has 64 KB of L1 cache and 512 KB of L2 cache, with a shared 32 MB L3 cache. The processor runs on AMD Socket AM4, supports DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and includes ECC memory support. It has a 105 W TDP, an unlocked multiplier, and was released on 2020-11-04 with a launch MSRP of $449. Its process node and cache design are optimized for desktop power envelopes.

The Intel Core i5-12600H is built on Intel's 10 nm process with a 217 mm² die size, which is nearly three times larger than the AMD chip's die. It uses the Alder Lake architecture, codenamed Alder Lake-H, with 12 cores and 16 threads. The core configuration is hybrid: 4 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores. Each core has 80 KB of L1 cache, with L2 cache at 1.25 MB per core (likely 1.25 MB for P-cores and a different allocation for E-cores), and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. This is a mobile processor with a 45 W TDP, soldered to Intel BGA 1744, and it lacks ECC support. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and includes integrated Iris Xe 80EU graphics. The multiplier is locked, and no release date is listed. The larger die and hybrid core topology reflect Intel's strategy of mixing high-performance and high-efficiency cores in one package.

The cache hierarchy differs fundamentally. AMD provides a uniform 32 MB L3 shared across all cores, while Intel provides a smaller 18 MB shared L3. The L2 cache per core is larger on Intel (1.25 MB vs 512 KB), but the L1 is also larger (80 KB vs 64 KB). The Intel chip's memory bandwidth is not listed in the data, while the AMD part lists 51.2 GB/s. Both support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, but the AMD part is a desktop socketed processor while the Intel part is a mobile BGA package. The Intel part's integrated graphics are a major differentiator, as the AMD part has no integrated graphics listed.

The Verdict

From the data, choose the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X for any workload that relies on parallel integer math, encryption, compression, or extended instruction sets. It wins 10 of 15 tests, with margins ranging from 2.7% to 74.6%. The 33.4% lead in integer math and 43.2% lead in encryption make it the stronger choice for data processing and security-related tasks. The 62.5% lead in extended instructions suggests it is better for scientific or engineering software that uses wide vector operations. The 31.3% multithread lead in PassMark confirms its strength in general parallel throughput.

Choose the Intel Core i5-12600H for single-thread performance and modern multi-threaded rendering. The 44.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is the single largest margin in the entire comparison, and the 22.9% multi-core win in R23 shows that its hybrid core design can outperform the AMD part in current renderers. The 0.2% PassMark single-thread lead is negligible, but combined with the R15 single-core win, it proves consistency in lightly-threaded tasks. The Intel chip is also the only one with integrated graphics, making it suitable for systems without a discrete GPU.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (29123 vs 28882), and both sit at the 81st percentile. The AMD part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H (0.1% ahead) and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT (0.6% behind). The Intel part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-13900H (0.0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT (0.2% behind). This means the choice between these two is not about overall capability but about matching the benchmark profile to the intended use case. The Ryzen 7 5800X is a desktop part with a 105 W TDP; the Core i5-12600H is a mobile part with a 45 W TDP. The data does not indicate which is "better" — it indicates which wins specific tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600H scores 2833 versus the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X's 1574.5, a 44.4% lead for Intel.

Q: In which benchmark does the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X have its largest margin of victory?

A: The AMD processor wins PassMark find prime numbers by 74.6%, scoring 124 versus the Intel chip's 71.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i5-12600H has 12 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-12600H does not.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-12600H have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Iris Xe 80EU integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X has an average benchmark score of 29123, while the Intel Core i5-12600H has 28882. The AMD part is 0.8% higher.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 5800X | Intel Core i5-12600H |

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

| Cores | 8 | 12 |

| Threads | 16 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 105 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Vermeer | Alder Lake-H |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | 217 mm² |

| Transistors | 4,150 million | Not listed |

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

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Iris Xe 80EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $449 | Not listed |

| Release Date | 2020-11-04 | Not listed |