Core i5-12600HX vs Ryzen 5 5600

Core i5-12600HX vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-12600HX

12 / 16

24,396

+13.2%

21,550

0.0%

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 i5-12600HX 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 i5-12600HX 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 i5-12600HX

2022

Why buy it

✅+18.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 5 5600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 32 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,052 vs 2,434).
❌Lower PassMark (21,550 vs 24,396).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i5-12600HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12600HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core i5-12600HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 13.2% better PassMark, 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 i5-12600HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.6% 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 i5-12600HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 13.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i5-12600HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-12600HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12600HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of AM4 and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12600HX vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12600HX

The Core i5-12600HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 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: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,396 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

The Core i5-12600HX packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12600HX has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12600HX versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-12600HX (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-12600HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600HX scores 24,396 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 12.4% lead for the Core i5-12600HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,434 vs 2,052, a 17% lead for the Core i5-12600HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600HX vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12600HX	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+5%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.5 GHz+40%
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-HX (2022)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	24,396+13%	21,550
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	2,434+19%	2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,600

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12600HX uses the FCBGA1964 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 i5-12600HX versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Core i5-12600HX 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: 48 (Core i5-12600HX) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Core i5-12600HX offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i5-12600HX) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

Feature	Core i5-12600HX	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	FCBGA1964	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	48+100%	24

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12600HX) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). The Core i5-12600HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 5 5600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600HX targets Workstation Laptop, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600HX rivals Ryzen 7 6800H.