AMD Ryzen 5 4500 vs Intel Core i3-12100E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data splits these two desktop processors into two distinct profiles: the Intel Core i3-12100E wins the single-threaded and certain specialized workloads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 dominates the broader multi-threaded and throughput-oriented tests. Across the 19 head-to-head comparisons, AMD claims 12 victories and Intel claims 7, but the margins tell a more nuanced story.

Starting with Cinebench, the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 holds a consistent lead across every version of the render benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 1378 against Intel's 1164, a 15.5% deficit for the Intel part. The single-core R15 test shows the same pattern: 194 for AMD versus 164 for Intel, again a 15.5% gap. Cinebench R20 multi-core repeats the result with 5744 versus 4854, and R20 single-core shows 810 versus 685, a 15.4% difference. The R23 multi-core run gives 13677 for the Ryzen 5 4500 and 11559 for the Core i3-12100E, while R23 single-core gives 1930 versus 1631. In every Cinebench iteration, the AMD chip wins by roughly 15.5%, a remarkably consistent margin that suggests a fundamental throughput advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative. The Intel Core i3-12100E posts 7661 in multi-core versus 7005 for AMD, a 9.4% lead. The single-core Geekbench gap is far larger: 2202 versus 1489, a 47.9% advantage for Intel. This is the single biggest win for either processor in the entire comparison, and it highlights a core architectural edge: the Intel part's per-thread performance is substantially higher, even though the AMD part has more physical cores.

PassMark tests offer a mixed bag. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 wins data compression with 228741 against 160112, a 30% margin. Data encryption goes to AMD at 13597 versus 8069, a 40.7% difference. Extended instructions favor AMD at 15166 versus 10814, a 28.7% gap. Integer math gives AMD 49707 versus 40885, a 17.7% win. Random string sorting goes to AMD at 23989 versus 16089, a 32.9% margin. PassMark multi-thread also favors AMD at 16091 versus 14271, an 11.3% lead.

Intel wins the remaining PassMark tests. Find prime numbers is a decisive Intel victory at 63 versus 34, an 85.3% margin, the largest percentage win in either direction. Floating point math goes to Intel at 31919 versus 29405, an 8.5% edge. Physics favors Intel at 1185 versus 726, a 63.2% lead. Single-thread PassMark gives Intel 3438 versus 2593, a 32.6% advantage, which matches the Geekbench single-core picture.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 is the stronger all-around processor for multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel Core i3-12100E is the better choice for single-threaded and lightly threaded tasks. The AMD chip wins 12 of 19 comparisons, including every Cinebench test, all major PassMark throughput tests, and integer math. Its six cores and twelve threads give it a structural advantage in workloads that scale with core count.

The Intel part, however, should not be dismissed. A 47.9% Geekbench single-core lead and a 32.6% PassMark single-thread lead are substantial margins. For software that relies on a few fast threads, or for tasks like physics simulation where Intel scores 63.2% higher, the Core i3-12100E is the better fit. The prime number test, where Intel leads by 85.3%, also suggests an advantage in workloads that depend on branch prediction and low-latency integer operations.

The overall database percentile ranks both processors closely: the Ryzen 5 4500 sits at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, and the Core i3-12100E at the 70th. Their average benchmark scores are 17333 and 16853 respectively, placing them only a few percent apart in aggregate performance. The choice depends entirely on workload priority, not on one chip being categorically superior.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i3-12100E uses Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm node fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 163 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 uses Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm node fabricated by TSMC, with a die size of 156 mm² and 9,800 million transistors. The process node difference is significant: TSMC's 7 nm node is denser and more power-efficient per transistor, which helps explain the AMD chip's higher core count at a similar physical size.

Core and cache layouts differ sharply. The Intel part has 4 cores and 8 threads with 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has 6 cores and 12 threads with 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. Intel allocates more cache per core, while AMD allocates more cores overall. The L3 totals favor Intel at 12 MB versus 8 MB, but the per-core cache distribution matters more in practice: Intel's larger L2 per core likely contributes to its single-threaded strength.

Memory support also diverges. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the AMD part lists a specific memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel part does not list a bandwidth figure. PCIe support differs as well: Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, AMD offers Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. This gives the Intel platform a modern I/O advantage for storage and graphics expansion.

Integrated graphics is another differentiator. The Core i3-12100E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Ryzen 5 4500 has no integrated graphics at all. This means the Intel part can run a display without a discrete GPU, while the AMD part requires a graphics card. The Intel chip also has a higher boost clock at 4.20 GHz versus 4.10 GHz, though the AMD chip has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz versus 3.20 GHz.

The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Intel chip does not. Release dates differ by three months: the Intel part launched on January 3, 2022, and the AMD part on April 3, 2022. Both are listed as Active in production status and target the Desktop market segment. Neither supports ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The specification table shows clear divergence in nearly every major field. Core count favors AMD at 6 versus 4, and thread count favors AMD at 12 versus 8. Base clocks favor AMD at 3.60 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, but boost clocks favor Intel at 4.20 GHz versus 4.10 GHz. TDP favors Intel at 60 watts versus 65 watts, a modest efficiency advantage on paper.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 1700, AMD uses Socket AM4. Process node favors AMD at 7 nm versus 10 nm. Foundry differs with Intel using its own fabs and AMD using TSMC. Transistor count is listed only for AMD at 9,800 million. Die size is similar but not identical: 163 mm² for Intel, 156 mm² for AMD.

Cache distribution differs as noted: Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB L3; AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB L3. Memory support favors Intel with DDR4 and DDR5 versus AMD's DDR4 only. Memory bus is dual-channel for both. PCIe favors Intel with Gen 5 and 20 lanes versus AMD's Gen 3 and 16 lanes. Integrated graphics exists only on Intel. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; Intel does not. Launch MSRP was $125 for Intel and $129 for AMD, a difference of $4.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i3-12100E has 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

A: The Intel Core i3-12100E wins single-threaded tests by wide margins: 47.9% in Geekbench single-core and 32.6% in PassMark single-thread.

Q: Which processor wins Cinebench multi-core tests?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 wins all Cinebench versions, including R23 multi-core with 13677 versus 11559, a 15.5% lead.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100E includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel part supports DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD part supports DDR4 only.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100E boosts to 4.20 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 boosts to 4.10 GHz. The AMD chip has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz versus 3.20 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 wins in every multi-threaded render test, all PassMark throughput tests, integer math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, random string sorting, and the overall PassMark multi-thread score. This is the processor for workloads that use many threads: video encoding, 3D rendering, batch file compression, encryption tasks, and any software that scales across six cores. The 30% lead in data compression and 40.7% lead in data encryption are particularly strong for archival and security-related workloads. The 11.3% PassMark multi-thread margin, while smaller, still favors AMD for general multitasking with many concurrent processes.

The Intel Core i3-12100E wins Geekbench multi-core and single-core, PassMark single-thread, floating point math, physics, and find prime numbers. The 47.9% Geekbench single-core lead makes it the clear choice for applications that are limited by a single thread: legacy software, many games, spreadsheet calculations, and interactive desktop responsiveness. The 63.2% physics advantage suggests a strong showing in simulation workloads that rely on single-threaded physics engines. The 85.3% prime number lead points to an edge in integer-heavy, branch-dependent code. Floating point math at 8.5% ahead is a smaller but consistent win.

For a user building a system without a discrete GPU, the Intel chip's integrated UHD Graphics 730 is a decisive factor. For a user planning to pair the CPU with a dedicated graphics card and wants maximum multi-threaded throughput, the AMD chip's six cores and twelve threads deliver more consistent performance across the benchmark suite. The overall database percentile ranks them nearly equal: 71st for AMD, 70th for Intel. The average benchmark scores are 17333 for AMD and 16853 for Intel, a difference of roughly 2.8%. Neither chip dominates the other in aggregate; the data simply shows two different performance profiles, each suited to a different set of tasks.