Core i5-12450HX vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12450HX

8 Cores12 Thrd55 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Core family

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Core i5-12450HX vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12450HX

8 / 12

18,064

+2.1%

17,685

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 i5-12450HX vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 i5-12450HX vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12450HX

2022

Why buy it

✅+2.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 12th Gen, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-12450HX.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,685 vs 18,064).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i5-12450HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12450HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12450HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12450HX better than Ryzen 5 3600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 3600 is ahead with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12450HX pulls ahead with 2.1% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 3600 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12450HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-12450HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12450HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 3600 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-12450HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12450HX vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12450HX

The Core i5-12450HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,064 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12450HX packs 8 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12450HX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12450HX versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-12450HX (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-12450HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12450HX scores 18,064 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 2.1% lead for the Core i5-12450HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,150 vs 1,295, a 49.6% lead for the Core i5-12450HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-12450HX vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	8 / 12+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+5%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+40860%
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-HX (2022)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	18,064+2%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	2,150+66%	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12450HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12450HX versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Core i5-12450HX 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: 48 (Core i5-12450HX) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Core i5-12450HX offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i5-12450HX) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	FCBGA1964	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+50%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	48+100%	24

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12450HX) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Core i5-12450HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12450HX targets Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-12450HX rivals Ryzen 5 7645HX; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 12th Gen	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop	Gaming/Budget Workstation