Core i9-12900H vs Ryzen 5 5600

CPU

GPU

Core i9-12900H

14 Cores20 Thrd45 WWMax: 5 GHz2022

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Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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Core i9-12900H vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-12900H

14 / 20

27,079

+25.7%

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 i9-12900H 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 i9-12900H 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 i9-12900H

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.6% 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 Graphics 96EU, while Ryzen 5 5600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 43.9 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($617 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Costs $418 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $617 MSRP).
✅Delivers 146.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 43.9 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $617 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Core i9-12900H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 16,500).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-12900H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900H better than Ryzen 5 5600?

Yes. Core i9-12900H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 49% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 25.7% higher 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 i9-12900H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.6% 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 i9-12900H is the stronger fit. You are getting 49% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-12900H is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-12900H comes in 210.1% more expensive on MSRP at $617 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600 is also 146.7% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 43.9 PassMark/$), 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 i9-12900H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 i9-12900H vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-12900H

The Core i9-12900H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5 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: 27,079 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 i9-12900H packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-12900H has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900H versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i9-12900H 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 i9-12900H scores 27,079 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 22.7% lead for the Core i9-12900H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,500 vs 11,077 (39.3% advantage for the Core i9-12900H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,400 vs 2,052, a 15.6% lead for the Core i9-12900H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,900 vs 8,600 (40% advantage for the Core i9-12900H). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900H vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i9-12900H	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+133%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5 GHz+14%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.5 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+33%
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	27,079+26%	21,550
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,500+49%	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	2,400+17%	2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,900+50%	8,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900H uses the FCBGA1744 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 i9-12900H versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Core i9-12900H supports 50% 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: 20 (Core i9-12900H) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 Series (Mobile) (Core i9-12900H) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

Feature	Core i9-12900H	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	FCBGA1744	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	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

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i9-12900H) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). The Core i9-12900H includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU), while the Ryzen 5 5600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12900H targets Mobile, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i9-12900H	Ryzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics 96EU	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	AMD-V
Target Use	Mobile	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-12900H was priced at $617, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($617 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $418 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900H delivers 43.9 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 84.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-12900H	Ryzen 5 5600
MSRP	$617	$199-68%
Performance per Dollar	43.9	108.3+147%
Release Date	2022	2022

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