AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS vs Intel Core i5-12400T Comparison

The database compares two 35 W parts: the Intel Core i5-12400T, a desktop Alder Lake-S chip with 6 cores and 12 threads, and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS, a mobile Zen 3 Cezanne chip with 8 cores and 16 threads. Their average benchmark scores are close, with Intel at 4019 and AMD at 3924, and their percentile ranks are 57 and 56 respectively. Head-to-head results split 2 wins each, but the margins differ sharply by workload.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a split decision. The Intel Core i5-12400T wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with 13234 against 12745.5, a 3.8% lead, and it wins Cinebench R23 single-core by a much larger 26.6%, scoring 1868 versus 1475.5. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS wins the older Cinebench R15 tests decisively: 2041 versus 1333 in multi-core, a 34.7% advantage, and 236.5 versus 188 in single-core, a 20.5% advantage. Because the head-to-head wins are even, the aggregate scores become the tiebreaker. Intel's average benchmark score is 4019, above AMD's 3924, and Intel sits at the 57th percentile of all CPUs while AMD sits at the 56th. So the database places Intel slightly higher overall.

For a user choosing strictly from these results, the Intel part is the better pick for workloads that resemble Cinebench R23, especially single-threaded tasks, where its lead is large. The AMD part is the better pick for workloads that resemble Cinebench R15, particularly multi-threaded tasks, where its lead is even larger. The Intel part also carries a launch MSRP of $192, though no comparable launch price is recorded for the AMD part.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design points. Intel uses a 10 nm process from its own foundry, while AMD uses a 7 nm process from TSMC. The Intel die measures 163 mm², and the AMD die measures 180 mm². AMD's transistor count is recorded as 10,700 million; Intel's transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Core and thread counts differ. Intel has 6 cores and 12 threads, while AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads. AMD also has higher clock settings: a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, compared with Intel's base clock of 1800.00 MHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Both parts have a 35 W TDP and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Cache layouts are different. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. So Intel has more L3 cache overall, while AMD has fewer cores but a smaller per-core L2.

Memory and I/O support also diverge. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus, while AMD supports only DDR4 on a dual-channel bus. AMD's memory bandwidth is recorded at 68.3 GB/s; Intel's memory bandwidth is not recorded. For PCIe, Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 3. Integrated graphics differ as well: Intel uses UHD Graphics 730, and AMD uses Radeon Vega 8.

The platform sockets are not interchangeable. Intel uses Intel Socket 1700, and AMD uses AMD Socket FP6. Intel is classified as a desktop part, while AMD is classified as a mobile part. Both are listed as Active in production status, and both have ECC memory support set to false.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i5-12400T has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-12400T has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400T has an average benchmark score of 4019, compared with 3924 for the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS. Intel also has a higher percentile rank at 57 versus 56.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23?

A: Intel wins both tests. In multi-core, Intel scores 13234 against AMD's 12745.5, a 3.8% lead. In single-core, Intel scores 1868 against AMD's 1475.5, a 26.6% lead.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R15?

A: AMD wins both tests. In multi-core, AMD scores 2041 against Intel's 1333, a 34.7% lead. In single-core, AMD scores 236.5 against Intel's 188, a 20.5% lead.

Q: What are the memory and PCIe differences?

A: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while AMD supports only DDR4. Intel has PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD has PCIe Gen 3. AMD's memory bandwidth is recorded at 68.3 GB/s; Intel's is not recorded.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i5-12400T | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base clock | 1800.00 MHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Alder Lake-S | Cezanne |

| Generation | Core i5 (Alder Lake-S) | Ryzen 9 (Zen 3 (Cezanne)) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 10,700 million |

| Die size | 163 mm² | 180 mm² |

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

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

| L3 cache | 18 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 68.3 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | Not recorded | 2021-01-11 |

| Launch MSRP | $192 | Not recorded |

| Part number | SRL5X | 100-000000300 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head set contains four Cinebench results, two for each processor. The largest single margin belongs to AMD in Cinebench R15 multi-core. AMD scores 2041, Intel scores 1333, and the delta is 34.7% in AMD's favor. That is a substantial gap for a multi-threaded workload, and it aligns with AMD's higher core count of 8 versus 6 and its higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz.

AMD also wins Cinebench R15 single-core, scoring 236.5 against Intel's 188, a 20.5% lead. This is notable because the R15 single-core test is not as dependent on core count, yet AMD still holds a clear advantage.

Intel answers in the newer Cinebench R23 tests. In multi-core, Intel scores 13234 against AMD's 12745.5, a 3.8% lead. The margin is modest, but it means Intel's 6-core design outperforms AMD's 8-core design in this particular multi-threaded workload. In single-core, Intel's lead is much larger: 1868 versus 1475.5, a 26.6% advantage. This is the second-largest margin in the head-to-head set, and it is striking because AMD has the higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz compared with Intel's 4.20 GHz.

Beyond the head-to-head set, the database records additional benchmarks for each part. Intel has Cinebench R20 scores of 5558 multi-core and 784 single-core, plus Geekbench scores of 7144 multi-core and 2044 single-core. AMD has 3DMark thread scaling scores: 6011 at 16 threads, 5049 at 8 threads, 3133 at 4 threads, 1690 at 2 threads, 5992 at max threads, and 871 single thread. These extra results are not directly comparable because they use different test suites, but they reinforce the pattern that AMD scales well with thread count while Intel posts strong single-thread results.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12400T wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core. Its single-core lead of 26.6% is the clearest signal in the data: for tasks that depend on single-thread performance, Intel is the stronger part. Its multi-core win in R23, even with fewer cores, also suggests that the newer Cinebench workload favors Intel's architecture. Intel's aggregate position is better too, with an average benchmark score of 4019 against AMD's 3924 and a percentile rank of 57 against 56. For users looking at the overall database ranking, Intel comes out ahead.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core. Its multi-core lead of 34.7% is the largest margin in the head-to-head set, and it is backed by a higher core count of 8 versus 6 and a higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz. For workloads that resemble Cinebench R15, especially heavily threaded ones, AMD is the clear choice. AMD also has a recorded memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while Intel's is not recorded, and it uses a 7 nm process with a larger die and more transistors.

In practical terms, the data suggests a workload-based split. Choose the Intel Core i5-12400T for single-threaded and newer multi-threaded workloads, and for the higher aggregate benchmark standing. Choose the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS for older multi-threaded workloads and for tasks that benefit from 8 cores and 16 threads. The head-to-head record is even at 2 wins each, so the decision rests on which benchmark family matches the intended use.