Core i5-12500 vs Ryzen 5 3600
Core i5-12500
Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12500
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12500 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12500 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+57%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12500 and Ryzen 5 3600
Core i5-12500
The Core i5-12500 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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: 19,739 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.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-12500 and Ryzen 5 3600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12500 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-12500 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-12500 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500 scores 19,739 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 11% lead for the Core i5-12500. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,978 vs 9,500 (30.9% advantage for the Core i5-12500). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,319 vs 1,295, a 56.7% lead for the Core i5-12500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,003 vs 1,898 (130.4% advantage for the Core i5-12500). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Core i5-12500 | 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 | 18 MB (total) | 32 MB (total)+78% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+150% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 19,739+12% | 17,685 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,978+37% | 9,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,319+79% | 1,295 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 9,003+374% | 1,898 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12500 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12500 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Core i5-12500 supports 22.2% 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 i5-12500) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12500) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).
| Feature | Core i5-12500 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25% | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| 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 (Core i5-12500) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Core i5-12500 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500 targets Productivity, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500 rivals Ryzen 5 5500; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.
| Feature | Core i5-12500 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 770 | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | Yes |
| Target Use | Productivity | Gaming/Budget Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-12500 launched at $212 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 3600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($140 vs $80), the Ryzen 5 3600 is $60 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12500 delivers 141.0 pts/$ vs 221.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 44.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-12500 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $212 | $199-6% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $140 | $80-43% |
| Performance per Dollar | 141.0 | 221.1+57% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2019 |
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