Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen 5 5600
Core i5-12400F
Ryzen 5 5600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5600
Why is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Core i5-12400F?
The Core i5-12400F and Ryzen 5 5600 are closely matched gaming CPUs, with Intel typically holding a slight 5-8% edge in most titles at 1080p. The 12400F's hybrid architecture delivers better 1% lows in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 (11% advantage) and The Riftbreaker (27% faster).
However, the Ryzen 5 5600 leads in select titles like Horizon Zero Dawn (9-10% faster) and offers unlocked overclocking potential. At 1440p and beyond, both CPUs perform virtually identically as games become GPU-bound.
For budget gaming builds, the slightly cheaper i5-12400F is the better choice despite its higher 117W TDP versus 65W. The Ryzen 5 5600 makes sense for those with existing AM4 motherboards or wanting overclocking flexibility, as both platforms offer similar total system costs.
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($110) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+6%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($110) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Ryzen 5 5600
Core i5-12400F
The Core i5-12400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,532 points. Launch price was $180.
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
Both the Core i5-12400F and Ryzen 5 5600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 9.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 11,077 (11.1% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,052, a 18.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 8,600 (171.6% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 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)+150% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 7 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Vermeer (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 19,532 | 21,550+10% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,380+12% | 11,077 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,700 | 2,052+21% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 657 | 8,600+1209% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Core i5-12400F supports 22.2% 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: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25% | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 24+20% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Gaming Performance/Value | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($110 vs $115), the Core i5-12400F is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 177.6 pts/$ vs 187.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 5.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $174-13% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $110-4% | $115 |
| Performance per Dollar | 177.6 | 187.4+6% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2022 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-12400F and Ryzen 5 5600
