Core i7-12700H vs Ryzen 5 5600X

CPU

GPU

Core i7-12700H

14 Cores20 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2022

Core family

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Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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Core i7-12700H vs Ryzen 5 5600X Performance Spectrum

Core i7-12700H

14 / 20

25,365

+16.1%

21,845

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 i7-12700H vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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 i7-12700H vs Ryzen 5 5600X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-12700H

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe 96EU, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 55.5 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($457 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Costs $158 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $457 MSRP).
✅Delivers 31.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 55.5 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $457 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 25,365).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-12700H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700H better than Ryzen 5 5600X?

Yes. Core i7-12700H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 16.1% 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 i7-12700H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.4% 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 i7-12700H is the stronger fit. You are getting 16.1% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i7-12700H is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-12700H comes in 52.8% more expensive on MSRP at $457 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600X is also 31.6% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 55.5 PassMark/$), 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 i7-12700H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-12700H vs Ryzen 5 5600X Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-12700H

The Core i7-12700H 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 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 24 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: 25,365 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-12700H packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-12700H has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-12700H versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700H (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-12700H uses the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700H scores 25,365 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 14.9% lead for the Core i7-12700H. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700H vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i7-12700H	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+133%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+2%	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+61%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	32 MB+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+40860%
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	25,365+16%	21,845
Cinebench R23 Multi	15,453	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,648	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,802	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-12700H versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X — the Core i7-12700H supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600X 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: 20 (Core i7-12700H) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-12700H	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	FCBGA1744	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+50%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700H) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). The Core i7-12700H includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe 96EU), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-12700H targets Workstation, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700H rivals Ryzen 7 6800H.

Feature	Core i7-12700H	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Iris Xe 96EU	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Workstation	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-12700H was priced at $457, while the Ryzen 5 5600X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($457 vs $299), Ryzen 5 5600X was $158 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700H delivers 55.5 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 27.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-12700H	Ryzen 5 5600X
MSRP	$457	$299-35%
Performance per Dollar	55.5	73.1+32%
Release Date	2022	2020

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