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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-12500

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $87 less on MSRP ($212 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 27.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 93.1 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($212 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,739 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅+10.7% higher PassMark.
✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.1 vs 93.1 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $212 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12500 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12500.

Core i5-12500

2022

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $87 less on MSRP ($212 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 27.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 93.1 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($212 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Why buy it

✅+10.7% higher PassMark.
✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,739 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 32 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.1 vs 93.1 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $212 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12500 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12500.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Core i5-12500?

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 2.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data and 10.7% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, the two CPUs are effectively a wash in the available data.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 5600X is the better fit. You are getting 10.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 5600X is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12500 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen 5 5600X is 41.0% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $212 MSRP, and it gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12500 is also 27.4% better value on MSRP (93.1 vs 73.1 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i5-12500 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-12500 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-12500 Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5600X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12500	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	186 FPS	203 FPS
medium	170 FPS	174 FPS
high	142 FPS	140 FPS
ultra	120 FPS	107 FPS
1440p
low	156 FPS	169 FPS
medium	133 FPS	141 FPS
high	107 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	88 FPS	85 FPS
medium	81 FPS	76 FPS
high	65 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	50 FPS	47 FPS

Open Core i5-12500 Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12500	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	493 FPS	464 FPS
medium	428 FPS	387 FPS
high	362 FPS	324 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	291 FPS
1440p
low	433 FPS	397 FPS
medium	373 FPS	334 FPS
high	324 FPS	290 FPS
ultra	278 FPS	253 FPS
4K
low	289 FPS	263 FPS
medium	254 FPS	226 FPS
high	234 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	201 FPS	171 FPS

Open Core i5-12500 Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12500	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	493 FPS	546 FPS
medium	493 FPS	473 FPS
high	493 FPS	432 FPS
ultra	493 FPS	358 FPS
1440p
low	493 FPS	508 FPS
medium	493 FPS	413 FPS
high	491 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	440 FPS	312 FPS
4K
low	456 FPS	348 FPS
medium	401 FPS	292 FPS
high	345 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	281 FPS	199 FPS

Open Core i5-12500 Open Ryzen 5 5600X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12500	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	493 FPS	546 FPS
medium	493 FPS	546 FPS
high	493 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	493 FPS	546 FPS
1440p
low	493 FPS	546 FPS
medium	493 FPS	546 FPS
high	493 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	493 FPS	524 FPS
4K
low	493 FPS	529 FPS
medium	482 FPS	484 FPS
high	422 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	355 FPS	379 FPS

Open Core i5-12500 Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12500 and Ryzen 5 5600X

Core i5-12500

The Core i5-12500 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 3 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: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,739 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

Both the Core i5-12500 and Ryzen 5 5600X share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12500 versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — identical boost frequencies (base: 3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-12500 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500 scores 19,739 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 10.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.7 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	32 MB+78%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	19,739	21,845+11%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,978	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,319	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,003	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12500 uses the LGA1700 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, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12500 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X — the Core i5-12500 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 i5-12500) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12500) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Core i5-12500	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	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 i5-12500) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). The Core i5-12500 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500 targets Productivity, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500 rivals Ryzen 5 5500.

Feature	Core i5-12500	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Productivity	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12500 launched at $212 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600X debuted at $299. On MSRP ($212 vs $299), the Core i5-12500 is $87 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12500 delivers 93.1 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Core i5-12500 the 24.1% better value option.