Core i5-12490F vs Ryzen 5 5600X

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12490F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022

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Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020

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Core i5-12490F vs Ryzen 5 5600X Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12490F

6 / 12

20,366

0.0%

21,845

+7.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

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 5600X 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 5600X: 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

✅Costs $49 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 11.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.5 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (20,366 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.1 vs 81.5 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12490F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12490F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Core i5-12490F?

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 7.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 5600X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.6% 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, Ryzen 5 5600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 7.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 5600X is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12490F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in 19.6% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12490F is also 11.5% better value on MSRP (81.5 vs 73.1 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i5-12490F 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 2020) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12490F vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-12490F and Ryzen 5 5600X share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12490F versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — identical boost frequencies (base: 3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-12490F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12490F scores 20,366 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 7% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-12490F vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.7 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	32 MB+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)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	20,366	21,845+7%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,800	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,800	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12490F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X 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 5600X — 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 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B660,H610,H670,Z690,B760 (Core i5-12490F) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Ryzen 5 5600X
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	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600X 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 AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). Primary use case: Core i5-12490F targets Gaming Desktop, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12490F rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming Desktop	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12490F was priced at $250, while the Ryzen 5 5600X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($250 vs $299), Core i5-12490F was $49 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12490F delivers 81.5 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Core i5-12490F the 10.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12490F	Ryzen 5 5600X
MSRP	$250-16%	$299
Performance per Dollar	81.5+11%	73.1
Release Date	2022	2020

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