AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X vs Intel Core i5-12500T Comparison

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X wins six of the eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, taking every Cinebench test by a narrow margin of 2.6% to 3%. The Intel Core i5-12500T, however, wins the two Geekbench tests decisively, with a 17.4% lead in multi-core and a massive 53.9% lead in single-core performance.

The verdict depends entirely on workload priorities. For multi-threaded rendering tasks measured by Cinebench, the Threadripper 1900X is the stronger choice, albeit by a slim margin. For general-purpose computing, system responsiveness, and applications that reward single-thread performance, the i5-12500T is clearly superior, as shown by its Geekbench results.

The Intel processor sits at the 57th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 4216. The AMD processor also sits at the 57th percentile, with an average score of 4073. The i5-12500T is 0.7% ahead of the Intel Core i5-11500H and 1.3% ahead of the Intel Core i9-9900, while trailing the Intel Core i7-1265U by 0.7% and the Intel Xeon E-2378 by 0.4%. The Threadripper 1900X is 0.5% ahead of the Intel Xeon E-2278G, but trails the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X by 1% and the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS by 1.2%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras and philosophies. The Intel Core i5-12500T is built on the Alder Lake architecture using a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry, with a die size of 163 mm². It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its thermal design power is 35 watts, a figure that reflects its efficiency-focused positioning. The cache hierarchy consists of 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel bus, and includes integrated UHD Graphics 770. The socket is Intel Socket 1700, and it provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X is a first-generation Zen product, manufactured on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It uses a dual-die design with 9,600 million transistors and a combined die size of 2x 213 mm². The processor packs 8 cores and 16 threads, running at a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Its TDP is 180 watts, reflecting a much higher power envelope. Cache amounts include 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3. Memory support is limited to DDR4, but through a quad-channel bus, yielding a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. It uses AMD Socket SP3r2, provides PCIe Gen 3 with 60 CPU lanes, and has no integrated graphics. The multiplier is unlocked, and the launch MSRP was $549.

The architectural contrast is stark: a modern, power-efficient 10 nm Intel design with high clock speeds and a large L3 cache per core versus an older, power-hungry 14 nm AMD HEDT part with more cores, a much wider memory bus, and significantly more PCIe lanes. The Intel part's advantage in single-thread performance stems from its higher boost clock and newer architecture. The AMD part's modest lead in Cinebench multi-core tests likely comes from its additional two cores and sixteen threads, despite its older architecture and lower boost clocks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a consistent pattern across Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Threadripper 1900X scores 1440 versus the i5-12500T's 1402, a 2.6% lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD part scores 203 against 197, a 3% advantage. The same 2.6% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the AMD scores 6000 and the Intel scores 5843. In R20 single-core, the AMD scores 846 against 824, again a 2.6% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 14286 for AMD versus 13913 for Intel, and R23 single-core shows 2016 versus 1964, both at 2.6%. These are consistent, if narrow, victories for the Threadripper across all Cinebench workloads.

The Geekbench results tell a completely different story. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel Core i5-12500T scores 7733, which is 17.4% higher than the Threadripper's 6588. The single-core Geekbench test is even more lopsided: the Intel scores 1854 against the AMD's 1205, a 53.9% advantage. This dramatic swing suggests that while the Threadripper has an edge in the specific rendering workload that Cinebench measures, the i5-12500T is substantially faster in the broader set of tasks that Geekbench evaluates, particularly those that depend on single-thread efficiency.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the i5-12500T posts 4216 against the Threadripper's 4073, making the Intel part about 3.5% faster on average. The AMD part's wins are consistent but small, while the Intel part's wins are large but concentrated in one benchmark suite.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500T wins the Geekbench single-core test by a wide margin, scoring 1854 against the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X's 1205, a 53.9% difference. However, the AMD part wins all Cinebench single-core tests by about 2.6% to 3%.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X win all multi-core benchmarks?

A: No. The Threadripper 1900X wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests (R15, R20, R23) by 2.6% each, but the Intel Core i5-12500T wins the Geekbench multi-core test by 17.4%, scoring 7733 versus 6588.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X has a TDP of 180 watts. The Intel part is rated for a dramatically lower power envelope.

Q: Do both processors support DDR5 memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-12500T supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X supports DDR4 only, but through a quad-channel bus with a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-12500T includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 770. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X has no integrated graphics and requires a discrete GPU.

Q: How do these processors compare to their closest rivals in the database?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500T is 0.7% faster than the Intel Core i5-11500H and 1.3% faster than the Intel Core i9-9900, but 0.7% slower than the Intel Core i7-1265U. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X is 0.5% faster than the Intel Xeon E-2278G, but 1% slower than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X and 1.2% slower than the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X wins in every Cinebench workload, both multi-core and single-core. This includes Cinebench R15 multi-core (1440 vs 1402), R15 single-core (203 vs 197), R20 multi-core (6000 vs 5843), R20 single-core (846 vs 824), R23 multi-core (14286 vs 13913), and R23 single-core (2016 vs 1964). Its consistent 2.6% to 3% edge across these tests indicates that its eight cores and sixteen threads provide a tangible, if modest, benefit in rendering and other workloads that Cinebench simulates. The processor also offers a quad-channel memory bus with 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, and an unlocked multiplier, making it a platform with substantial expansion and overclocking potential.

The Intel Core i5-12500T wins decisively in the Geekbench suite. Its 17.4% multi-core advantage (7733 vs 6588) and 53.9% single-core advantage (1854 vs 1205) are the largest deltas in the entire comparison. These results indicate that the i5-12500T is far more responsive in general computing tasks, web browsing, office applications, and any software that is sensitive to single-thread speed. Its 35 watt TDP makes it an exceptionally power-efficient choice, which is a significant advantage for compact or low-noise systems. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 means it can operate without a discrete GPU, and its support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory offers platform flexibility.

For users who prioritize rendering performance in Cinebench-style workloads, the Threadripper 1900X is the winner, though by a small margin. For users who prioritize everyday responsiveness, single-thread-heavy applications, energy efficiency, or the convenience of integrated graphics, the i5-12500T is the clear choice. The Intel part's higher average benchmark score of 4216 versus 4073 also indicates that, across the full set of measurements, it is the faster processor overall.