AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS vs Intel Core i5-12500TE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500TE wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 13203, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS scores 12629. That puts Intel 4.3% ahead in this particular test.

Q: How large is the AMD's lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS scores 2083 versus Intel's 1330, a 56.6% advantage. This is the largest single benchmark gap between the two processors.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same market ranking?

A: Yes. Both are at the 57th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they sit at the same overall performance tier despite their different architectural approaches.

Q: What are the closest rivals to these two chips?

A: For the AMD, the nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X at 0.2% difference. For the Intel, the closest is AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X at 0.2% difference. Interestingly, the two CPUs in this comparison are within 0.9% of each other in average benchmark score.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i5-12500TE has 6 cores and 12 threads. AMD leads in both raw core and thread counts.

Q: Do both support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD supports DDR4 only, while the Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD has a listed memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the Intel's bandwidth is not specified in the data.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS is built on TSMC's 7 nm process with a die size of 180 mm², housing 10,700 million transistors. The Intel Core i5-12500TE uses Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 163 mm², and no transistor count is listed. These process differences are significant — the AMD's smaller node suggests a density advantage, though the Intel chip's larger per-core L2 cache may compensate in certain workloads.

The core configurations diverge sharply. AMD provides 8 cores and 16 threads, all based on the Zen 3 architecture in the Cezanne mobile line. Intel counters with 6 cores and 12 threads from the Alder Lake-S desktop family. Despite having fewer cores, the Intel chip manages a higher L3 cache: 18 MB shared versus AMD's 16 MB shared. Per-core L1 and L2 caches also favor Intel: 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, versus AMD's 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core.

Clock speeds tell a nuanced story. The AMD has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and boosts to 4.80 GHz. The Intel has a base clock of 1900.00 MHz and boosts to 4.30 GHz. The AMD's higher boost clock is notable, but the Intel's much lower base clock suggests a different power delivery strategy. Both CPUs share a 35 W TDP, which is unusual given the Intel's desktop socket (Intel Socket 1700) versus AMD's mobile socket (AMD Socket FP6).

PCIe support differs generationally. AMD provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes. This is a substantial leap in interface capability for the Intel part. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD pairs with Radeon Vega 8, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 770. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and both lack ECC memory support.

The Verdict

The data presents a split decision. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS dominates in older Cinebench R15 workloads, winning multi-core by 56.6% and single-core by 29.9%. The Intel Core i5-12500TE takes the newer Cinebench R23 tests, winning multi-core by 4.3% and single-core by 17.9%. The win count is even at two apiece, but the margin story is lopsided.

For users running legacy rendering workloads that resemble Cinebench R15, the AMD is the clear choice — its 56.6% multi-core lead is enormous. For modern single-threaded tasks, the Intel's 17.9% advantage in R23 single-core suggests better per-thread efficiency in current software. The Intel's 13203 R23 multi-core score also indicates that its 6 cores outperform AMD's 8 cores in this newer benchmark, which points to architectural efficiency gains in Alder Lake.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 4121 for AMD versus 4083 for Intel, a 0.9% difference. Both sit at the 57th percentile. The decision hinges on workload generation and whether the R15 or R23 pattern better represents the user's actual applications. The AMD suits users prioritizing raw core count and legacy multi-threaded performance. The Intel appeals to those focusing on modern single-thread performance and newer rendering engines.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every major specification category. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS features 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-12500TE has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 3.00 GHz for AMD versus 1900.00 MHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 4.80 GHz for AMD versus 4.30 GHz for Intel.

Process nodes differ: AMD uses TSMC's 7 nm, Intel uses Intel's 10 nm. Die sizes are 180 mm² for AMD and 163 mm² for Intel. The AMD transistor count is 10,700 million; Intel has no listed count. Cache hierarchies diverge: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs — AMD supports DDR4 only, Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD lists memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s; Intel has no bandwidth figure. PCIe lanes differ: AMD has Gen 3 with 16 lanes, Intel has Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8 for AMD and UHD Graphics 770 for Intel. Sockets are AMD Socket FP6 versus Intel Socket 1700. The AMD is a mobile part; the Intel is a desktop part. The AMD's release date is 2021-01-11; no release date is listed for the Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test delivers the most dramatic result. AMD scores 2083 against Intel's 1330, a 56.6% advantage. This is a massive gap that cannot be explained by core count alone — the AMD has 33% more cores (8 versus 6), but its performance lead is nearly double that. The Zen 3 architecture's efficiency in this legacy workload is the likely driver.

Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 29.9% lead for AMD: 243 versus 187. This is surprising given the Intel's newer architecture, but the AMD's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus 4.30 GHz may be decisive in this test.

The tables turn in Cinebench R23. Intel wins multi-core with 13203 versus 12629, a 4.3% margin. Intel's 18 MB L3 cache and per-core L2 advantage appear to matter more in this newer workload. The Intel also wins R23 single-core decisively: 1863 versus 1529, a 17.9% lead. This suggests Alder Lake's per-thread performance is substantially better than Zen 3 in modern single-threaded scenarios.

The average benchmark scores tell a convergence story: AMD at 4121 and Intel at 4083, a 0.9% difference. The nearest rival to the AMD is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X at 0.2% away, while the nearest rival to the Intel is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X at 0.2% away. Notably, the two CPUs in this comparison are each other's fourth-closest rival, with deltas of 0.9% and -0.9% respectively.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS wins decisively in Cinebench R15 tests, both multi-core and single-core. The 56.6% multi-core margin is the standout figure — this is not a marginal win but a generational-style gap. Users running older software optimized for multi-threaded Zen 3 performance will see substantial benefits. The AMD's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz and its 8-core design make it the stronger choice for legacy rendering, older game engines, and workloads that scale with raw core count.

The Intel Core i5-12500TE wins in Cinebench R23, which represents more modern rendering workloads. The 17.9% single-core lead in R23 is particularly telling for applications that depend on single-thread performance, such as many productivity tools and lighter workloads. The Intel's 13203 multi-core score in R23 shows that its 6 cores with larger caches can outperform AMD's 8 cores in current-generation software. The Intel's Gen 5 PCIe support also gives it a future-proofing edge for storage and GPU connectivity.

The even split of 2-2 wins suggests the choice depends on software generation. For older multi-threaded applications, the AMD's 56.6% R15 multi-core lead is unmatched. For newer single-threaded applications, the Intel's 17.9% R23 single-core advantage is equally compelling. The near-identical average scores mean the user's actual workload mix will determine the winner. The AMD suits those with legacy rendering queues; the Intel suits those running modern, single-thread-heavy productivity stacks.