AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 vs Intel Core i5-12400F Comparison

The Intel Core i5-12400F and AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 occupy the same performance percentile (73rd) but achieve it through fundamentally different designs. The data shows a clear split: the Intel part wins 12 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, often by massive margins, while the AMD part claims only 3 wins, all in single-threaded tests. The verdict is straightforward: the i5-12400F is the dominant multi-threaded performer, while the Ryzen AI 5 330 offers a slight single-thread edge and a dramatically lower power envelope. The i5-12400F is for users prioritizing raw compute throughput; the Ryzen AI 5 330 is for those needing a compact, efficient 4nm processor with integrated graphics.

The Verdict

Based strictly on benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-12400F is the performance choice for nearly every workload measured. Its average benchmark score of 19039 edges out the Ryzen AI 5 330's 18811, despite both sitting at the 73rd percentile. The head-to-head results are lopsided: the i5-12400F wins by 47.7% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 57.9% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 78.5% in PassMark floating point math. These are not marginal differences; the Intel part is between 41.9% and 71.4% faster across all PassMark sub-tests except single-thread. The Ryzen AI 5 330's wins are confined to Cinebench R23 single-core (1812 vs 1680, a 7.3% lead) and PassMark single-thread (3515 vs 3481, a 1% lead). If the workload uses more than one thread, the i5-12400F is the correct pick. The Ryzen AI 5 330 is only advisable for scenarios where its 28W TDP and integrated Radeon 820M graphics are essential, as its performance otherwise trails significantly.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12400F wins decisively in every multi-threaded discipline. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1759 against 1191, a 47.7% advantage. The gap widens in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i5-12400F's 12380 surpasses the Ryzen AI 5 330's 7840 by 57.9%. PassMark multi-thread results follow the same pattern: 19433 vs 12797, a 51.9% lead. The Intel part also dominates in every PassMark compute sub-test, including integer math (59995 vs 37771, +58.8%), floating point math (46759 vs 26196, +78.5%), and data encryption (11679 vs 7251, +61.1%). Even in find prime numbers, the i5-12400F's score of 72 is 71.4% higher than the AMD's 42. The only territory where the Ryzen AI 5 330 wins is single-threaded performance. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1812 beats the Intel's 1680 by 7.3%, and its PassMark single-thread of 3515 beats 3481 by 1%. This suggests the AMD part has a slight advantage in lightly-threaded, latency-sensitive tasks, but the magnitude is small compared to the Intel's multi-thread dominance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different foundries, nodes, and microarchitectures. The Intel Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S architecture on Intel's 10nm process, with a 163 mm² die size. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 uses Zen 5 architecture (codenamed Krackan Point 2) on TSMC's 4nm process. It has only 4 cores and 8 threads, with 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and just 4 MB of L3 cache. The cache disparity is stark: the Intel part has 18 MB shared L3 versus the AMD's 4 MB. The AMD part compensates with a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus the Intel's 4.40 GHz, but its base clock is lower at 2.00 GHz versus 2.50 GHz. The socket and platform differ completely: Intel uses Socket 1700 with PCIe Gen 5 (20 lanes), while AMD uses Socket FP8 with PCIe Gen 4 (14 lanes). The AMD part is a mobile processor with a 28W TDP and integrated Radeon 820M graphics, whereas the Intel part is a desktop chip with a 65W TDP and no integrated graphics. Memory support also diverges: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a specified 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory. The Intel part was released in January 2022 with a launch MSRP of $174, while the AMD part was released in July 2025.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400F has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes a Radeon 820M integrated GPU. The Intel Core i5-12400F has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-threaded benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 wins in Cinebench R23 single-core (1812 vs 1680, +7.3%) and PassMark single-thread (3515 vs 3481, +1%).

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark floating point math, where the Intel Core i5-12400F scores 46759 versus the AMD's 26196, a 78.5% difference.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 uses TSMC's 4nm process, while the Intel Core i5-12400F uses Intel's 10nm process.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, neither has an unlocked multiplier; both have multiplierUnlocked set to false.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data reveals a consistent pattern of Intel dominance. The largest Intel win is in PassMark floating point math: 46759 vs 26196, a 78.5% advantage. This is followed by PassMark find prime numbers (72 vs 42, +71.4%) and PassMark physics (1202 vs 705, +70.5%). In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel part scores 12380 against 7840, a 57.9% lead, and in Cinebench R15 multi-core it scores 1759 vs 1191, a 47.7% lead. The encryption test shows a 61.1% gap (11679 vs 7251), and integer math shows 59995 vs 37771, a 58.8% difference. Even the smallest Intel wins are substantial: data compression (233327 vs 152012, +53.5%), multi-thread (19433 vs 12797, +51.9%), extended instructions (15834 vs 11124, +42.3%), and random string sorting (22975 vs 16188, +41.9%). The AMD wins are narrower: Cinebench R23 single-core is 1812 vs 1680, a 7.3% lead, and PassMark single-thread is 3515 vs 3481, a 1% edge. The Cinebench R15 single-core test also goes to Intel (244 vs 199.9, +22.1%), showing that AMD's single-thread advantage is not universal. Overall, the i5-12400F wins 12 benchmarks and the Ryzen AI 5 330 wins 3.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The Intel Core i5-12400F has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for Intel and 2.00 GHz for AMD; boost clocks are 4.40 GHz and 4.50 GHz, respectively. The TDP is 65W for Intel and 28W for AMD. Sockets are Intel Socket 1700 versus AMD Socket FP8. Architecture is Alder Lake versus Zen 5, with process nodes of 10nm (Intel foundry) versus 4nm (TSMC). The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on Intel versus 1 MB per core on AMD, and L3 cache is 18 MB shared versus 4 MB. Memory support is DDR4/DDR5 for Intel versus DDR5/LPDDR5X for AMD, with the AMD part specifying 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe is Gen 5 with 20 lanes for Intel versus Gen 4 with 14 lanes for AMD. The AMD part includes integrated Radeon 820M graphics; the Intel part has none. Market segments are Desktop versus Mobile, with release dates of January 2022 versus July 2025. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $174 and die size of 163 mm², while the AMD part has no MSRP and no listed die size. Both are active production, non-unlocked, and lack ECC support.