How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X scores 42.8/100 overall; Intel Core i5-12400 scores 47.3/100. AMD Ryzen 5 3600X wins 6 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-12400 wins 9.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X and the Intel Core i5-12400?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X advantages: 78% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 18 MB; 52% higher Base clock: 3.8 GHz vs 2.5 GHz; 30% lower process: 7 nm vs 10 nm; 20% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 20; Has Unlocked multiplier — the other doesn't. Intel Core i5-12400 advantages: Stronger single-core score: 56 vs 37; Stronger multi-core score: 42 vs 37; 150% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 3 MB; 41% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,100 vs 1,490; 32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W; Lower launch price: $192 vs $249.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X or Intel Core i5-12400?

Intel Core i5-12400 launched cheaper at $192, versus $249 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs Intel Core i5-12400

AMD

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X

$249

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-12400

$192

36.5Single-core56.4

37.4Multi-core41.7

60.3Gamingspec-based46.5

6 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 3600X9 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12400

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-12400 wins this desktop processor face-off, 47.3 to 42.8, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+20) and multi-core (+4). AMD Ryzen 5 3600X still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X

78% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 18 MB
52% higher Base clock: 3.8 GHz vs 2.5 GHz
30% lower process: 7 nm vs 10 nm
20% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 20
Has Unlocked multiplier — the other doesn't

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12400

Stronger single-core score: 56 vs 37
Stronger multi-core score: 42 vs 37
150% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 3 MB
41% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,100 vs 1,490
32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W
Lower launch price: $192 vs $249

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i5-12400
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i5-12400
Announced	2019	2022
Socket	AM4	LGA1700
Process	7 nm+30%	10 nm
Base TDP	95 W	65 W+32%
Max turbo power	128 W+9%	117 W
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i5-12400
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i5-12400
Cores	6	6
Performance cores	6	6
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	12	12
Base clock	3.8 GHz+52%	2.5 GHz
Boost clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
L2 cache	3 MB	8 MB+150%
L3 cache	32 MB+78%	18 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i5-12400
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i5-12400
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 730
iGPU clock	—	1,450 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i5-12400
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i5-12400
Memory support	DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i5-12400
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i5-12400
PCIe version	4	5+25%
CPU PCIe lanes	24+20%	20

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i5-12400
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i5-12400
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,490Bottom 27%	2,100+41%Top 46%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	7,200Bottom 39%	9,400+31%Bottom 47%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,290Bottom 32%	1,690+31%Top 45%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	9,700Bottom 34%	11,900+23%Bottom 44%
PassMark	18,400Bottom 32%	19,700+7%Bottom 35%

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