Core i5-12400 vs Ryzen 5 5600GT

Intel

Core i5-12400

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600GT

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2024
Ryzen family
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Core i5-12400 vs Ryzen 5 5600GT Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-12400 vs Ryzen 5 5600GT FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-12400 vs Ryzen 5 5600GT: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-12400

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 89.9 vs 145.1 PassMark/$ ($209 MSRP vs $140 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5600GT

2024

Why buy it

  • Costs $69 less on MSRP ($140 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
  • Delivers 61.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 145.1 vs 89.9 PassMark/$ ($140 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (9,300 vs 10,632).
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400 better than Ryzen 5 5600GT?
Yes. Core i5-12400 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 14.3% better Geekbench multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 14.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-12400 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600GT is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12400 comes in 49.3% more expensive on MSRP at $209 MSRP versus $140 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600GT is also 61.3% better value on MSRP (145.1 vs 89.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 5600GT can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-12400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4 and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400 vs Ryzen 5 5600GT Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i5-12400

The Core i5-12400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 18,794 points. Launch price was $299.

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600GT

The Ryzen 5 5600GT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,312 points. Launch price was $140.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-12400 and Ryzen 5 5600GT share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400 versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600GT — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600GT (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-12400 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600GT uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400 scores 18,794 against the Ryzen 5 5600GT's 20,312 — a 7.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600GT. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,381 vs 2,000, a 17.4% lead for the Core i5-12400 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,632 vs 9,300 (13.4% advantage for the Core i5-12400). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400 vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600GT.

FeatureCore i5-12400Ryzen 5 5600GT
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)+13%
16 MB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+150%
512 kB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Cezanne (2021−2025)
PassMark
18,794
20,312+8%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,400
Geekbench 6 Single
2,381+19%
2,000
Geekbench 6 Multi
10,632+14%
9,300
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600GT uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600GT — the Core i5-12400 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600GT) — the Ryzen 5 5600GT offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400) and A520,B550,X570,B450,X470 (Ryzen 5 5600GT).

FeatureCore i5-12400Ryzen 5 5600GT
Socket
LGA1700
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+50%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600GT). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 730 (Core i5-12400) and Radeon Vega 7 (Ryzen 5 5600GT) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400 targets Gaming Performance/Value, Ryzen 5 5600GT targets Budget Gaming/Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400 rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCore i5-12400Ryzen 5 5600GT
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 730
Radeon Vega 7
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
Budget Gaming/Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400 was priced at $209, while the Ryzen 5 5600GT came in at $140. On launch pricing ($209 vs $140), Ryzen 5 5600GT was $69 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400 delivers 89.9 pts/$ vs 145.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600GT — making the Ryzen 5 5600GT the 46.9% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400Ryzen 5 5600GT
MSRP
$209
$140-33%
Performance per Dollar
89.9
145.1+61%
Release Date
2022
2024

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