Core i5-12600 vs Ryzen 5 5600

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2022

Core family

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Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Core i5-12600 vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12600

6 / 12

21,383

0.0%

21,550

+0.8%

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 i5-12600 vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 i5-12600 vs Ryzen 5 5600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12600

2022

Why buy it

✅+17% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Newer platform on FP7/FP8 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 5 5600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 91.8 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($233 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Costs $34 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $233 MSRP).
✅Delivers 18.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 91.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $233 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,052 vs 2,400).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (8,600 vs 10,400).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12600 moves to FP7/FP8 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12600 better than Ryzen 5 5600?

Yes. Core i5-12600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 20.9% 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, Core i5-12600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% 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, Core i5-12600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 20.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-12600 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12600 comes in 17.1% more expensive on MSRP at $233 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600 is also 18.0% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 91.8 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with FP7/FP8 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 i5-12600 vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12600

The Core i5-12600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5x, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,383 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-12600 and Ryzen 5 5600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-12600 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-12600 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-12600 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600 scores 21,383 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 0.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,400 vs 2,052, a 15.6% lead for the Core i5-12600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,400 vs 8,600 (18.9% advantage for the Core i5-12600). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12600	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+9%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+78%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+40860%
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	21,383	21,550
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	2,400+17%	2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,400+21%	8,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12600 uses the FP7/FP8 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12600 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Core i5-12600 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 i5-12600) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B660,Z690 (Core i5-12600) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

Feature	Core i5-12600	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	FP7/FP8	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	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12600) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). The Core i5-12600 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 5 5600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600 targets Mainstream Desktop, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600 rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12600	Ryzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12600 was priced at $233, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($233 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $34 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12600 delivers 91.8 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 16.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12600	Ryzen 5 5600
MSRP	$233	$199-15%
Performance per Dollar	91.8	108.3+18%
Release Date	2022	2022

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