AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Intel Core I5 12400F: Which Is the Better CPU?

Ryzen 5 5600X meets Core i5 12400F. Find out which one is better in gaming, benchmarks, and multithreading.

Table of Contents

When it came to dominating best-selling CPU charts, both the 12400F and the 5600X shared a similar story. Both were best-sellers for a very long time, after their prices became extremely attractive.

Even today, they share the same story, and it’s even more exciting in the used market, as so many other new CPUs have emerged, resulting in people selling old stuff at really cheap prices. The 12400F and the 5600X are head-to-head contenders with almost zero difference. It’s just that it took Intel more than two generations of CPUs to close Zen 3’s leap.

Also Read: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K: Which Is the Better CPU?

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Intel Core I5 12400F: Detailed Comparison

Specs Comparison

Here are the specs of Ryzen 5 5600X and Intel Core I5 12400F:

Specifications	Ryzen 5 5600X	Core I5 12400F
Architecture	Zen 3	Alder Lake
Core/Thread count	6/12	6/12
Max clock speed	4.6 GHz	4.5 GHz
L3 cache	32 MB	18 MB
RAM support	DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800
PCIe Gen support	Gen 4	Gen 4
Platform Socket	AM4	LGA 1700
Thermal design power (TDP)	65W – 88W	65W-117W
Manufacturing nodes	7nm	10nm

Alderlake CPU architecture introduced a hybrid core design, but in this case, there are no E-cores to be found. Intel has also increased the IPC with this generation over Rocket Lake. On top of that, Intel also offered DDR5 support for the first time.

The 5600X, based on the Zen 3 architecture, has the exact same core count and still provides a better node than what Intel offers, even after two generations. That said, DDR4 is the only option here; unlike Intel, you get both DDR4 and DDR5.

Synthetic Performance Comparison

An image showing the 12400F (Image via Intel) — An image showing the 12400F (Image via Amazon)

Considering raw performance, the 12400F is faster in synthetic benchmarks. That means it will be ever so slightly better at multicore workloads such as video rendering, Blender, and so on. Apart from that, the difference isn’t worth writing home about.

As of now, both platforms are decommissioned, but yes, if you go the Intel route, such as getting a strong B660 or Z690 board with the 12400F, what you can do is easily slot in a 14600K later, or even a 14900K, which will result in an astronomical performance jump. With Ryzen, only the 5950X is an option.

Benchmark	Ryzen 5 5600X	Core I5 12400F
Cinebench R23 Single-Core	1541	1704
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core	11838	12047
Geekbench 6 Single-Core	2133	2300
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core	9281	9477

Gaming Performance Comparison

The data is sourced from PC Support and Gaming Test’s YouTube channel, where the person conducted the tests with all the mentioned games at low settings using DDR4 low latency Dual Channel Memory kit with an RTX 4060 at 1080p.

Games	Ryzen 5 5600X	Core I5 12400F
RDR 2	142 FPS	144 FPS
The Last of Us	133 FPS	142 FPS
Far Cry 6	187 FPS (900p)	172 FPS (900p)
Cyberpunk: 2077	174 FPS	167 FPS
Counter Strike 2	340 FPS	319 FPS

For gaming, depending on how the developers optimize for each platform, the performance will be better in one and worse in another. Still, both put up extremely high numbers, with nothing falling short of compliments that both of these CPUs are solid choices for gaming.

Price Comparison

The Core i5 12400F currently retails at Amazon.com for $108, and the Ryzen 5 for $150. Pricing information is accurate as of August 3, and can change without notice.

Final Verdict: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 vs Intel Core I5 12400F

For pricing, visit a local computer store, where you will find actual retail rates. Note that the Amazon prices aren’t the benchmark, since these CPUs are pretty old. That said, for performance, it’s simple: it’s a tie, in both multicore and gaming workloads.

One platform excels in one area, while the other does in another. But yes, picking the 12400F is the smart option here, because if you can get a used Z series motherboard, then shortly, you can also snag a used I9 or I7 and upgrade massively. With Ryzen, you are limited to the 5950X, 5800X3D, or 5700X3D for the fastest gaming performance.

Also Read: Intel Core i5-14500 vs AMD Ryzen 5 7600: Specs, Price, Performance, and More Compared

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AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Intel Core I5 12400F: Which Is the Better CPU?