Ryzen 5 8500G vs Core i5-12600
Ryzen 5 8500G
Core i5-12600
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 Ryzen 5 8500G
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 8500G | Core i5-12600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($150) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Phoenix2 (2024) / 4 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 8500G | Core i5-12600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+67%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($150) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) |
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 Ryzen 5 8500G and Core i5-12600
Ryzen 5 8500G
The Ryzen 5 8500G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Phoenix2 (2024) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,481 points. Launch price was $229.
Core i5-12600
The Core i5-12600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5x, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,383 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
Both the Ryzen 5 8500G and Core i5-12600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 8500G versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-12600 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 8500G (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Ryzen 5 8500G uses the Phoenix2 (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Core i5-12600 uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 8500G scores 21,481 against the Core i5-12600's 21,383 — a 0.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 8500G. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,500 vs 2,400, a 4.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 8500G that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,000 vs 10,400 (3.9% advantage for the Core i5-12600). L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 8500G vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 8500G | Core i5-12600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz+4% | 4.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+6% | 3.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total) | 18 MB (total)+13% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+25% |
| Process | 4 nm-43% | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Phoenix2 (2024) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 21,481 | 21,383 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 9,310 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,500+4% | 2,400 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 10,000 | 10,400+4% |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 8500G uses the AM5 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-12600 uses FP7/FP8 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5200 memory speed. The Ryzen 5 8500G supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 14 (Ryzen 5 8500G) vs 20 (Core i5-12600) — the Core i5-12600 offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A620,B650,B650E,X670,X670E,B840,B850,X870,X870E (Ryzen 5 8500G) and B660,Z690 (Core i5-12600).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 8500G | Core i5-12600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM5 | FP7/FP8 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5200 | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 256 GB+100% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 14 | 20+43% |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 8500G has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 8500G) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12600). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon 740M (Ryzen 5 8500G) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12600) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 8500G targets General Use, Core i5-12600 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 8500G rivals Core i5-13400; Core i5-12600 rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 8500G | Core i5-12600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon 740M | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | General Use | Mainstream Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 5 8500G launched at $179 MSRP, while the Core i5-12600 debuted at $233. At current prices ($150 vs $250), the Ryzen 5 8500G is $100 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 8500G delivers 143.2 pts/$ vs 85.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-12600 — making the Ryzen 5 8500G the 50.4% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 8500G | Core i5-12600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $179-23% | $233 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $150-40% | $250 |
| Performance per Dollar | 143.2+67% | 85.5 |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2022 |
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