Core i5-12600 vs Ryzen 5 8500G

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2022

Core family

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Ryzen 5 8500G

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 5 GHz2024

Ryzen family

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Core i5-12600 vs Ryzen 5 8500G Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12600

6 / 12

21,383

0.0%

21,481

+0.5%

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 8500G 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 8500G: 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

✅+4% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅42.9% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 14) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,400 vs 2,500).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 91.8 vs 120.0 PassMark/$ ($233 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 8500G

2024

Why buy it

✅+4.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $54 less on MSRP ($179 MSRP vs $233 MSRP).
✅Delivers 30.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 120.0 vs 91.8 PassMark/$ ($179 MSRP vs $233 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (10,000 vs 10,400).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 8500G better than Core i5-12600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 8500G is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12600 pulls ahead with 4% better Geekbench multi-core.

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 4% 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 8500G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 8500G comes in $54 cheaper on MSRP at $179 MSRP versus $233 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-12600 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 4% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 30.8% better value on MSRP (120.0 vs 91.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 8500G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12600 vs Ryzen 5 8500G 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 8500G

The Ryzen 5 8500G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Phoenix2 (2024) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,481 points. Launch price was $229.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-12600 and Ryzen 5 8500G share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-12600 versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 8500G — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 8500G (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 8500G uses Phoenix2 (2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600 scores 21,383 against the Ryzen 5 8500G's 21,481 — a 0.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 8500G. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,400 vs 2,500, a 4.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 8500G that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,400 vs 10,000 (3.9% advantage for the Core i5-12600). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600 vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 8500G.

Feature	Core i5-12600	Ryzen 5 8500G
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+6%
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-S (2022)	Phoenix2 (2024)
PassMark	21,383	21,481
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,310
Geekbench 6 Single	2,400	2,500+4%
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,400+4%	10,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12600 uses the FP7/FP8 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 8500G uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12600 versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 5 8500G — the Ryzen 5 8500G supports 8.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 8500G supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12600) vs 14 (Ryzen 5 8500G) — the Core i5-12600 offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B660,Z690 (Core i5-12600) and A620,B650,B650E,X670,X670E,B840,B850,X870,X870E (Ryzen 5 8500G).

Feature	Core i5-12600	Ryzen 5 8500G
Socket	FP7/FP8	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-5200+8%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20+43%	14

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 8500G 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 8500G). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12600) and Radeon 740M (Ryzen 5 8500G) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600 targets Mainstream Desktop, Ryzen 5 8500G targets General Use. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600 rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Ryzen 5 8500G rivals Core i5-13400.

Feature	Core i5-12600	Ryzen 5 8500G
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Radeon 740M
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	General Use

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12600 was priced at $233, while the Ryzen 5 8500G came in at $179. On launch pricing ($233 vs $179), Ryzen 5 8500G was $54 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12600 delivers 91.8 pts/$ vs 120.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 8500G — making the Ryzen 5 8500G the 26.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12600	Ryzen 5 8500G
MSRP	$233	$179-23%
Performance per Dollar	91.8	120.0+31%
Release Date	2022	2024

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