Core i5-12490F vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12490F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022

Core family

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Core i5-12490F vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12490F

6 / 12

20,366

+15.2%

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 i5-12490F 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 i5-12490F 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 i5-12490F

2022

Why buy it

✅+31.6% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.5 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Costs $51 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 9.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 81.5 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,500 vs 12,500).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12490F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12490F better than Ryzen 5 3600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 3600 is ahead with a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12490F pulls ahead with 31.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 5 3600 also has the bigger cache pool with 60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12490F is the stronger fit. You are getting 31.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-12490F is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12490F comes in 25.6% more expensive on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you 31.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 3600 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 9.1% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 81.5 PassMark/$), 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 3600 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 i5-12490F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019), 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 i5-12490F vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12490F

The Core i5-12490F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 20,366 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

Both the Core i5-12490F and Ryzen 5 3600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12490F versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-12490F (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-12490F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12490F scores 20,366 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 14.1% lead for the Core i5-12490F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,500 vs 9,500 (27.3% advantage for the Core i5-12490F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,800 vs 1,295, a 32.6% lead for the Core i5-12490F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,800 vs 1,898 (129% advantage for the Core i5-12490F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-12490F vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+10%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+60%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+40860%
Process	10 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	20,366+15%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,500+32%	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	1,800+39%	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,800+364%	1,898

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12490F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), 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 i5-12490F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Core i5-12490F 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 i5-12490F) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B660,H610,H670,Z690,B760 (Core i5-12490F) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
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	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12490F) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Core i5-12490F targets Gaming Desktop, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-12490F rivals Ryzen 5 5600X; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Gaming Desktop	Gaming/Budget Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12490F was priced at $250, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($250 vs $199), Ryzen 5 3600 was $51 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12490F delivers 81.5 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 8.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$250	$199-20%
Performance per Dollar	81.5	88.9+9%
Release Date	2022	2019

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