Core i5-12600H vs Ryzen 5 5600

CPU

GPU

Core i5-12600H

12 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2022

Core family

·······

Buy on Amazon

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Ryzen family

·······

Buy on Amazon

Core i5-12600H vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12600H

12 / 16

20,871

0.0%

21,550

+3.3%

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 i5-12600H 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 i5-12600H 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 i5-12600H

2022

Why buy it

✅+7.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Ryzen 5 5600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,871 vs 21,550).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 32 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅+3.3% higher PassMark.
✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Core i5-12600H.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,052 vs 2,200).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i5-12600H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12600H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12600H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12600H is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 5600 pulls ahead with 3.3% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 5600 also has the bigger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 5600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i5-12600H is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12600H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 5600 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 3.3% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 5600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12600H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12600H vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12600H

The Core i5-12600H 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 2.7 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: 20,871 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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12600H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12600H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12600H versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-12600H (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-12600H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600H scores 20,871 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 3.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,200 vs 2,052, a 7% lead for the Core i5-12600H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600H vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12600H	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+2%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.5 GHz+30%
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-H (2022)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	20,871	21,550+3%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	2,200+7%	2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12600H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i5-12600H versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Core i5-12600H supports 62.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i5-12600H) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Core i5-12600H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i5-12600H) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

Feature	Core i5-12600H	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	FCBGA1744	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200+63%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	28+17%	24

🔧

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, EPT (Core i5-12600H) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). The Core i5-12600H includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Ryzen 5 5600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600H targets Performance Laptop, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600H rivals Ryzen 5 6600H.