AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 vs Intel Core i5-12600 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: Both the Intel Core i5-12600 and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 have 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in any single benchmark?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Core i5-12600 scores 18,105 versus 11,333 for the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435, a 59.8% difference.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 wins Cinebench R15 single-core with a score of 260 versus 257 for the Intel part, a 1.2% advantage.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each part?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600 has an average benchmark score of 28,646, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 has an average of 28,128.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-12600 does not.

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600 is built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 is built on TSMC's 4 nm process.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-12600 is a desktop processor from the Core 12th Gen series, based on the Alder Lake architecture and using the Alder Lake-S codename. It is manufactured by Intel on a 10 nm process node, with a die size of 163 mm². The chip uses the Intel Socket 1700 and is part of the Core i5 (Alder Lake-S) generation. Its L1 cache is 80 KB per core, L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core, and L3 cache is 18 MB shared. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770, and the processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 is a mobile processor from the Ryzen AI 400 series, built on the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Gorgon Point. It is manufactured by TSMC on a 4 nm process node. The chip uses the AMD Socket FP8 and belongs to the Ryzen AI 400 (Zen 5 / Zen 5c) generation. Its L1 cache is 80 KB per core, L2 cache is 1 MB per core, and L3 cache is 4 MB. The integrated graphics are Radeon 840M, and memory support includes DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

The most significant architectural differences lie in process node, cache hierarchy, and platform positioning. The AMD part uses a smaller 4 nm process versus Intel's 10 nm, which typically allows for higher transistor density and lower power draw. The L3 cache is dramatically different: the Intel chip has 18 MB shared, while the AMD chip has only 4 MB. This cache disparity likely contributes to the performance differences seen in the benchmarks. The Intel part also has a larger L2 cache per core (1.25 MB versus 1 MB). The AMD chip supports ECC memory, which the Intel chip does not. The PCIe interface differs as well: Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while AMD offers Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-12600 dominates the benchmark suite, winning 14 out of 15 head-to-head tests. Its strongest areas are multi-core rendering, prime number finding, and floating point math. The data shows a 59.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, a 43.1% lead in PassMark find prime numbers, and a 25.1% lead in floating point math. These results indicate that the Intel part is substantially stronger for heavily threaded workloads such as video rendering, scientific simulations, and data processing tasks.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 wins only one benchmark: Cinebench R15 single-core, with a 1.2% edge. This suggests that in legacy single-threaded workloads, the AMD chip can hold a slight advantage. However, in the Cinebench R23 single-core test, the Intel part is 40.7% ahead, which complicates the picture. The AMD chip also has a lower TDP of 28 watts versus 65 watts for the Intel part, making it more suited for power-constrained mobile environments. For users prioritizing energy efficiency and portability, the AMD processor is the logical choice, while the Intel chip is clearly aimed at raw performance in desktop scenarios.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications:

| Specification | Intel Core i5-12600 | AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 |

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

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket FP8 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 163 mm² | Not recorded |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 18 MB (shared) | 4 MB |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 14 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Radeon 840M |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Launch MSRP | $233 | Not recorded |

| Release Date | Not recorded | 2026-01-04 |

Both processors are locked (multiplier not unlocked) and active in production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a clear pattern of Intel dominance, with 14 wins for the Intel Core i5-12600 and 1 win for the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435.

The most pronounced Intel victory is in Cinebench R23 multi-core: 18,105 versus 11,333, a 59.8% delta. This is the largest gap in any test and highlights the Intel chip's substantial advantage in sustained multi-threaded rendering. The Cinebench R23 single-core test also shows a major Intel win at 2,556 versus 1,816, a 40.7% delta, which is surprising given the AMD chip's higher base frequency advantage in the R15 single-core test.

In PassMark tests, the Intel part leads in every category. The largest PassMark delta is in find prime numbers: 83 versus 58, a 43.1% gap. Floating point math shows a 25.1% lead (50,838 versus 40,627). Physics testing shows a 27% advantage (1,365 versus 1,075). Data encryption is 17.8% ahead (13,084 versus 11,110). Multithread performance is 12.6% ahead (21,399 versus 19,000). Data compression is 11.9% ahead (252,160 versus 225,374). Integer math is 8.4% ahead (66,123 versus 61,026). Extended instructions are 5.1% ahead (17,027 versus 16,197). Random string sorting is 3.8% ahead (25,832 versus 24,891). Single-thread performance is 2.4% ahead (3,823 versus 3,734).

The AMD win comes in Cinebench R15 single-core: 260 versus 257, a 1.2% delta. This is a narrow margin and the only test where the AMD chip outperforms. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel part still leads 1,824 versus 1,686, an 8.2% delta.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the Intel Core i5-12600 is the stronger processor for nearly every workload measured. It wins 14 of 15 benchmarks, with particularly large margins in multi-core rendering and mathematical workloads. The 59.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core makes it the clear choice for rendering, video encoding, and other heavily threaded applications. The 40.7% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core also indicates superior performance in general desktop responsiveness and lightly threaded software.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 is a mobile processor with a 28-watt TDP, versus 65 watts for the Intel desktop part. Its single benchmark win in Cinebench R15 single-core is narrow at 1.2%, and it loses the newer single-core test by a wide margin. The AMD chip does support ECC memory, which may be relevant for certain professional or server-like use cases in mobile form factors. Its smaller process node and lower TDP suggest better energy efficiency, but the benchmark data does not show a performance advantage outside that one legacy test.

The percentile rankings are identical: both processors sit at the 80th percentile versus all CPUs. The average benchmark scores are close: 28,646 for Intel versus 28,128 for AMD. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the Intel Core i5-13500T (0.1% slower) and AMD EPYC 7203P (0.2% faster). For the AMD part, the nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-13490F (0.2% faster) and Intel Core i5-14500T (0.2% slower).

For a desktop user seeking maximum performance in rendering, math, and general multi-threaded tasks, the Intel Core i5-12600 is the data-backed choice. For a mobile user prioritizing low power draw, ECC memory support, and a smaller process node, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 is the only option between the two, though it sacrifices significant performance in most measured workloads.