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 i5-12500H

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.4% higher average FPS across 11 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 Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,462 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅+6.8% 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

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12500H across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $299 MSRP, while Core i5-12500H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12500H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12500H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-12500H

2022

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.4% higher average FPS across 11 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 Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+6.8% 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 (20,462 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 32 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12500H across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $299 MSRP, while Core i5-12500H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12500H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12500H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i5-12500H is ahead with a 8.4% average FPS lead across 11 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 5600X pulls ahead with 6.8% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 5600X also has the bigger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).

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 6.8% 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?

Core i5-12500H is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600X makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i5-12500H is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it gives you a 8.4% average FPS lead across 11 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Ryzen 5 5600X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 6.8% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 5600X is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Core i5-12500H 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 FCBGA1744 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 i5-12500H Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5600X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12500H	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	169 FPS	203 FPS
medium	153 FPS	174 FPS
high	125 FPS	140 FPS
ultra	106 FPS	107 FPS
1440p
low	142 FPS	169 FPS
medium	122 FPS	141 FPS
high	99 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	80 FPS	85 FPS
medium	74 FPS	76 FPS
high	59 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	47 FPS

Open Core i5-12500H Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12500H	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	512 FPS	464 FPS
medium	484 FPS	387 FPS
high	406 FPS	324 FPS
ultra	373 FPS	291 FPS
1440p
low	477 FPS	397 FPS
medium	421 FPS	334 FPS
high	361 FPS	290 FPS
ultra	316 FPS	253 FPS
4K
low	291 FPS	263 FPS
medium	259 FPS	226 FPS
high	243 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	216 FPS	171 FPS

Open Core i5-12500H Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12500H	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	512 FPS	546 FPS
medium	512 FPS	473 FPS
high	477 FPS	432 FPS
ultra	420 FPS	358 FPS
1440p
low	512 FPS	508 FPS
medium	475 FPS	413 FPS
high	427 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	312 FPS
4K
low	449 FPS	348 FPS
medium	368 FPS	292 FPS
high	327 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	267 FPS	199 FPS

Open Core i5-12500H Open Ryzen 5 5600X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12500H	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	512 FPS	546 FPS
medium	512 FPS	546 FPS
high	512 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	512 FPS	546 FPS
1440p
low	512 FPS	546 FPS
medium	512 FPS	546 FPS
high	512 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	492 FPS	524 FPS
4K
low	507 FPS	529 FPS
medium	463 FPS	484 FPS
high	414 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	361 FPS	379 FPS

Open Core i5-12500H Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12500H

The Core i5-12500H 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 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 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: 20,462 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 i5-12500H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12500H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500H versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-12500H 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 i5-12500H scores 20,462 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 6.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500H vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-12500H	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.6 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.7 GHz+48%
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-H (2022)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	20,462	21,845+7%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,260	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,900	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12500H 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 i5-12500H versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X — the Core i5-12500H supports 22.2% 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 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12500H) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Adler Lake-H PCH (Core i5-12500H) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Core i5-12500H	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	FCBGA1744	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+25%	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 i5-12500H) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). The Core i5-12500H includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500H targets Performance Laptop, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.