Core i5-12500H vs Ryzen 5 8640U

Core i5-12500H vs Ryzen 5 8640U Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12500H

12 / 16

20,462

+0.9%

20,274

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

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 i5-12500H vs Ryzen 5 8640U 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 i5-12500H vs Ryzen 5 8640U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12500H

2022

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 8640U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (9,900 vs 10,308).
❌60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.

Ryzen 5 8640U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 8640U better than Core i5-12500H?

Yes. Ryzen 5 8640U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 4.1% 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, Ryzen 5 8640U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.2% 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 8640U is the stronger fit. You are getting 4.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 8640U still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 5 8640U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Ryzen 5 8640U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 12/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12500H vs Ryzen 5 8640U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12500H

The Core i5-12500H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,462 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 5 8640U

The Ryzen 5 8640U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,274 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12500H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 8640U offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12500H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500H versus 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 8640U — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 8640U (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-12500H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 8640U uses Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500H scores 20,462 against the Ryzen 5 8640U's 20,274 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-12500H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,260 vs 2,519, a 10.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 8640U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,900 vs 10,308 (4% advantage for the Ryzen 5 8640U). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500H vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 8640U.

Feature	Core i5-12500H	Ryzen 5 8640U
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.9 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.5 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+13%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025)
PassMark	20,462	20,274
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	10,675
Geekbench 6 Single	2,260	2,519+11%
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,900	10,308+4%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12500H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 8640U uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12500H versus LPDDR5x-7500 on the Ryzen 5 8640U — the Ryzen 5 8640U supports 56.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 8640U supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Adler Lake-H PCH (Core i5-12500H) and SoC (Ryzen 5 8640U).

Feature	Core i5-12500H	Ryzen 5 8640U
Socket	FCBGA1744	FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	LPDDR5x-7500+56%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	256 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Ryzen 5 8640U supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12500H) vs AMD-V (SVM) (Ryzen 5 8640U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU (Core i5-12500H) and Radeon 760M (Ryzen 5 8640U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500H targets Performance Laptop, Ryzen 5 8640U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 8640U rivals Core i5-1335U.

Feature	Core i5-12500H	Ryzen 5 8640U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU	Radeon 760M
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V (SVM)
Target Use	Performance Laptop	Productivity