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 i5-12600HX

2022

Why buy it

✅+21.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 7 5700 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 7 5700.

Ryzen 7 5700

2022

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-12600HX.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,000 vs 2,434).
❌Lower PassMark (24,317 vs 24,396).
❌Launch MSRP is still $179 MSRP, while Core i5-12600HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12600HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.

Core i5-12600HX

2022

Ryzen 7 5700

2022

Why buy it

✅+21.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 7 5700 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-12600HX.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 7 5700.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,000 vs 2,434).
❌Lower PassMark (24,317 vs 24,396).
❌Launch MSRP is still $179 MSRP, while Core i5-12600HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-12600HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12600HX better than Ryzen 7 5700?

Yes. Core i5-12600HX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12600HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 2.4% 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 i5-12600HX is the better fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i5-12600HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 5700 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i5-12600HX is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $179 MSRP, and it gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 5700 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (135.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-12600HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of AM4 and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. 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 i5-12600HX Benchmark Check

Ryzen 7 5700 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12600HX	Ryzen 7 5700
1080p
low	170 FPS	179 FPS
medium	154 FPS	152 FPS
high	127 FPS	122 FPS
ultra	107 FPS	102 FPS
1440p
low	143 FPS	153 FPS
medium	123 FPS	126 FPS
high	99 FPS	100 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	85 FPS
4K
low	81 FPS	84 FPS
medium	74 FPS	75 FPS
high	59 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	46 FPS

Open Core i5-12600HX Open Ryzen 7 5700

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12600HX	Ryzen 7 5700
1080p
low	546 FPS	417 FPS
medium	465 FPS	352 FPS
high	389 FPS	303 FPS
ultra	355 FPS	268 FPS
1440p
low	456 FPS	360 FPS
medium	401 FPS	316 FPS
high	344 FPS	278 FPS
ultra	300 FPS	237 FPS
4K
low	275 FPS	248 FPS
medium	243 FPS	224 FPS
high	228 FPS	209 FPS
ultra	203 FPS	182 FPS

Open Core i5-12600HX Open Ryzen 7 5700

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12600HX	Ryzen 7 5700
1080p
low	610 FPS	608 FPS
medium	519 FPS	574 FPS
high	477 FPS	519 FPS
ultra	420 FPS	431 FPS
1440p
low	567 FPS	509 FPS
medium	475 FPS	436 FPS
high	427 FPS	392 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	326 FPS
4K
low	449 FPS	376 FPS
medium	368 FPS	318 FPS
high	327 FPS	280 FPS
ultra	267 FPS	220 FPS

Open Core i5-12600HX Open Ryzen 7 5700

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12600HX	Ryzen 7 5700
1080p
low	610 FPS	608 FPS
medium	610 FPS	608 FPS
high	610 FPS	608 FPS
ultra	588 FPS	608 FPS
1440p
low	610 FPS	608 FPS
medium	610 FPS	608 FPS
high	563 FPS	572 FPS
ultra	492 FPS	493 FPS
4K
low	507 FPS	520 FPS
medium	463 FPS	465 FPS
high	414 FPS	414 FPS
ultra	361 FPS	358 FPS

Open Core i5-12600HX Open Ryzen 7 5700

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12600HX and Ryzen 7 5700

Core i5-12600HX

The Core i5-12600HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 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: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,396 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 7 5700

The Ryzen 7 5700 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 24,317 points. Launch price was $179.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12600HX packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5700 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-12600HX has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12600HX versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-12600HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5700 uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600HX scores 24,396 against the Ryzen 7 5700's 24,317 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-12600HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,434 vs 2,000, a 19.6% lead for the Core i5-12600HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600HX vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 7 5700.

Feature	Core i5-12600HX	Ryzen 7 5700
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.7 GHz+48%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+13%	16 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-HX (2022)	Cezanne (2021−2025)
PassMark	24,396	24,317
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	11,000
Geekbench 6 Single	2,434+22%	2,000
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12600HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 5700 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-12600HX versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5700 — the Core i5-12600HX 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: 48 (Core i5-12600HX) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5700) — the Core i5-12600HX offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i5-12600HX) and A520,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 5700).

Feature	Core i5-12600HX	Ryzen 7 5700
Socket	FCBGA1964	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48+100%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12600HX) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5700). The Core i5-12600HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 7 5700 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600HX targets Workstation Laptop, Ryzen 7 5700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600HX rivals Ryzen 7 6800H; Ryzen 7 5700 rivals Core i5-13400F.