AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS vs Intel Core i5-12500TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i5-12500TE and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS splits cleanly across workload types, with each processor claiming two wins in the recorded head-to-head tests. The most dramatic margin belongs to the AMD chip in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 2041 against Intel's 1330, a 34.8% advantage. This is a substantial gap, and it aligns with the AMD processor's 8 cores and 16 threads versus Intel's 6 cores and 12 threads. The single-core Cinebench R15 result tells a similar story, with AMD leading 236.5 to 187, a 20.9% edge. That is a notable difference for a test that typically favors higher boost clocks, and the Ryzen 9 5900HS does boost to 4.60 GHz compared to Intel's 4.30 GHz.

However, the newer Cinebench R23 tests flip the outcome. In multi-core R23, the Intel Core i5-12500TE scores 13203 against AMD's 12745.5, a 3.6% win. The margin is modest, but it is enough to reverse the R15 multi-core result. The single-core R23 test is where Intel pulls ahead decisively: 1863 versus 1475.5, a 26.3% advantage. This is a remarkable turnaround from the R15 single-core result, where AMD led by 20.9%. The data suggests that the Intel architecture scales much better under the R23 workload, particularly in single-threaded performance, despite having a lower peak boost clock. The recorded results show that the Intel part's 10 nm process and Alder Lake design deliver a stronger sustained single-core response, while the AMD part's Zen 3 architecture, despite its 7 nm node, loses ground in this specific test.

Looking at the broader benchmark database, the Intel Core i5-12500TE holds an average benchmark score of 4083 across all recorded tests, placing it in the 57th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has a lower average score of 3924, sitting in the 56th percentile. This overall average includes tests beyond the head-to-head set, such as GeekBench and 3DMark, which are not directly compared here. Notably, the AMD chip has recorded 3DMark scores ranging from 871 in single-thread to 6011 in 16-thread tests, while the Intel chip lacks 3DMark entries in the database. The average scores place the Intel part slightly ahead overall, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS, which scores 4121 and is 0.9% ahead of the Intel chip, and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X, which scores 4114 and is 0.8% ahead. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS, by contrast, has nearest rivals like the Intel Xeon E-2278GE at 3939 (0.4% ahead) and the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE at 3906 (0.5% behind). These figures indicate that both processors are clustered in a similar performance tier, with the Intel part holding a slight edge in the aggregate.

The Verdict

The data does not crown a single winner; it identifies two distinct performance profiles. For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput in older Cinebench workloads, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS is clearly superior, with a 34.8% lead in R15 multi-core. This is a massive margin, and it likely reflects the benefit of 8 cores versus 6. For users whose workloads resemble Cinebench R23, particularly single-threaded tasks, the Intel Core i5-12500TE is the better choice, with a 26.3% single-core win and a 3.6% multi-core win in that test generation. The Intel chip also has the higher average benchmark score (4083 versus 3924) and the higher percentile rank (57th versus 56th), suggesting that across a wider battery of tests, it performs slightly better on average.

The AMD part is a mobile processor with a 35 W TDP, and it delivers excellent multi-core performance for its power class. The Intel part is a desktop processor with the same 35 W TDP, and it shows stronger single-core capabilities in the newer benchmark. A user building a desktop workstation with heavy multi-threaded rendering in mind might lean toward the AMD chip based on the R15 result, but the R23 multi-core result, where Intel wins by 3.6%, complicates that narrative. The recorded data indicates that the Intel part is more consistent across benchmark generations, while the AMD part excels in older tests. For a balanced assessment, the Intel Core i5-12500TE edges out the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS on aggregate scores and percentile placement, making it the safer recommendation for general-purpose use, though the AMD chip's multi-core dominance in R15 cannot be ignored.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-12500TE uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically the Alder Lake-S codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS uses the Zen 3 architecture, codename Cezanne, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The process node difference is significant: TSMC's 7 nm is a more mature node for high-density mobile chips, while Intel's 10 nm is tailored for desktop parts. The Intel die size is 163 mm², while the AMD die size is 180 mm², despite the AMD chip having more cores. The AMD chip contains 10,700 million transistors, a figure not recorded for the Intel part.

The cache hierarchies differ notably. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. This means Intel has a larger total cache footprint, with 18 MB of L3 versus AMD's 16 MB, and larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations. For a 6-core Intel chip, the total L2 cache is 7.5 MB (1.25 MB per core), while for an 8-core AMD chip, the total L2 is 4 MB (512 KB per core). Intel's larger L2 per core could explain its stronger single-core performance in R23, as more cache per core reduces memory latency for single-threaded workloads.

The integrated graphics also differ. Intel pairs the UHD Graphics 770, while AMD uses Radeon Vega 8. Both are integrated solutions, but the database does not include graphics benchmarks for direct comparison. The memory support diverges as well: Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but AMD records a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, a figure not listed for Intel. The PCIe interface is another split: Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 3. The socket types are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 1700, AMD uses Socket FP6. The AMD part is marked as a mobile processor, while the Intel part is desktop, which reflects their intended platforms.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious difference: Intel has 6 cores and 12 threads, AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks differ substantially, with Intel at 1900 MHz and AMD at 3000 MHz. Boost clocks also differ, with Intel at 4.30 GHz and AMD at 4.60 GHz. The TDP is identical at 35 W for both. The process node differs: Intel uses 10 nm, AMD uses 7 nm. The foundry differs: Intel uses its own fabs, AMD uses TSMC. The die size differs: Intel at 163 mm², AMD at 180 mm². Transistor count is only recorded for AMD at 10,700 million.

Cache specifications differ across all levels: L1 per core is 80 KB for Intel versus 64 KB for AMD; L2 per core is 1.25 MB for Intel versus 512 KB for AMD; L3 shared is 18 MB for Intel versus 16 MB for AMD. Memory support differs: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, AMD supports only DDR4. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for AMD at 68.3 GB/s. PCIe support differs: Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), AMD offers Gen 3. Integrated graphics differ: Intel has UHD Graphics 770, AMD has Radeon Vega 8. The socket differs: Intel Socket 1700 versus AMD Socket FP6. Market segment differs: Intel is desktop, AMD is mobile. The AMD part has a release date of January 11, 2021, while the Intel part has no recorded release date. The AMD part number is 100-000000300, while the Intel part number is not recorded. Neither has a launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-12500TE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How do the single-core Cinebench R23 scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500TE scores 1863, which is 26.3% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS's score of 1475.5.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in the head-to-head tests?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS leads by 34.8% with a score of 2041 versus Intel's 1330.

Q: Do both processors have the same TDP?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-12500TE and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS have a TDP of 35 W.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500TE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS supports only DDR4.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500TE has an average score of 4083, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS's average of 3924.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS wins in older multi-threaded Cinebench R15 workloads, where its 8-core configuration delivers a 34.8% advantage. It also wins in R15 single-core by 20.9%, which is surprising given its lower per-core cache allocation. For users running legacy rendering tasks or software optimized for older Cinebench versions, this chip is the stronger choice. Its 3DMark results, while not directly compared, show strong scaling from 871 in single-thread to 6011 in 16-thread tests, suggesting good multi-threaded gaming or physics workloads. The AMD part also has a higher base clock (3000 MHz versus 1900 MHz), which may help in lightly threaded tasks that do not boost well.

The Intel Core i5-12500TE wins in the newer Cinebench R23 tests, both multi-core (3.6% ahead) and single-core (26.3% ahead). This indicates that Intel's Alder Lake architecture handles modern benchmark workloads more efficiently, despite having fewer cores and a lower boost clock. The larger L2 cache per core (1.25 MB versus 512 KB) and larger L3 cache (18 MB versus 16 MB) likely contribute to this result. For users running contemporary productivity suites, compilation tasks, or single-threaded applications that rely on high IPC, the Intel chip is preferable. Its support for DDR5 memory also offers a future-proofing advantage, though the database does not quantify the performance impact. The Intel part also holds the higher aggregate average score and percentile rank, making it the better all-around performer in the recorded data.