AMD Ryzen 5 vs Intel Core i5: The Mid-Range CPU Faceoff

If you are looking for a CPU for gaming or your workstation, Intel and AMD are the only two choices to pick from. AMD Ryzen 5 vs Intel Core i5 series are the two best-selling mid-priced processors from both brands. With so many variants of these two processors and the ongoing rivalry between Intel and AMD, it is a tough decision to make.

Intel, just a few months back, launched their first few chips in the 12th generation core desktop CPU family. On the other hand, AMD also released the new-gen Ryzen 5 5600 series. Both Ryzen 5 vs Intel Core i5 belong to a similar price range and provide a significant performance boost irrespective of the task you want to perform.

AMD Ryzen 5 vs Intel Core i5

Here, we compare AMD Ryzen 5 vs Intel Core i5, breaking down what differentiates them. This can help you make an informed choice about which to purchase.

AMD Ryzen 5 vs Intel Core i5: Architecture

First, let’s take a look at the architecture of both series of processors. The Ryzen 5 processor is built on Zen micro-architecture. It was specifically designed to reduce the overall power consumption as well as provide much better clock speeds.

Moreover, the Zen micro-architecture 1st Gen was made using a 14nm FinFET process that makes chips more efficient and uses less energy. SMT is also enabled, which is Surface Mount Technology, which allows each core to run two threads simultaneously. This innovative chip design allows each chip to have greater overall bandwidth. Recently, AMD released the Zen 3+ architecture, which is built on a 6nm fabrication process. Taking Ryzen 5 5600x as a reference, which is the best-selling Ryzen 5 processor to date, it is fabricated on TSMC’s 7 nm process based on the Zen 3 microarchitecture.

Now if we talk about the Intel i5 12th-gen processors, they are built on the latest Alder Lake hybrid architecture. The new architecture combines a mix of larger high-performance cores paired with smaller high-energy efficient cores for the first time. Furthermore, Intel architecture supports features like PCIe 5.0 and DDR5. These features go beyond what AMD or even Apple has to offer right now. 

The high-performance cores feature the Golden Cove architecture, while the more energy-efficient cores feature the Gracemount architecture. The latest Intel Core i5-12600K processor is the best CPU available for gaming right now. It features 10 cores (6P + 4E) and 16 threads, delivering top-of-the-line performance.

Also read: AMD Vs Intel: Who’s The Showstopper?

AMD Ryzen 5 vs Intel Core i5: Performance

In terms of performance, Intel is ahead of the curve and outperforms the AMD chips by a huge margin. It performs really well in single-threaded and multithreaded benchmarks. The chip delivers snappy performance and offers a good blend of single- and multithreaded performance to emerge as a compelling winner.

Intel performs really well when it comes to handling behind-the-scenes tasks in the Windows 11 operating system. The chip can carefully schedule tasks and bring out the best performance, resulting in improved productivity. Having some of the extra cores to perform low-priority tasks pays huge dividends in favour of overall performance. 

However, due to some of the inefficiencies in Windows 10, the Core i5 had some difficulty prioritizing tasks. However, we can expect them to be soon ironed out with the Windows 11 update. On the other hand, AMD Ryzen users can turn to Overclocking if they want to bridge the performance gap. It is also worth pointing out that the Intel Core i5 series also comes with an unlocked CPU that supports overclocking. 

The Intel Alder Lake CPUs have made significant progress even in terms of power consumption. The new Intel Core i5-12600K processor series draws much less power for the same amount of work than its predecessors. That being said, the AMD Ryzen 5 series is still the undisputed champion for offering power efficiency. The AMD Ryzen CPU completely dominates Intel CPUs in this department. Even with the latest Intel i5 CPU, they required more power compared to the Ryzen 5 series. This also means that the Intel CPUs will generate more heat, so if you purchase a custom gaming rig, you must invest in a better cooling solution.

For reference, the Ryzen 5 5600x has a TDP of 65W, while the Intel Core i5-12600K has a TDP of 125W. This is approximately double the power consumption of Ryzen 5.

Also read: 5 Best AMD Graphic Cards In India

AMD Ryzen 5 vs Intel Core i5: Platforms and Compatibility

Now that you have most of the technical information, another aspect to look out for is which CPU is future-proof. In terms of future-proofing, Intel is the best bet. Intel Core i5 supports DDR5 memory modules and PCIe 5.0, both of which are not supported by any of the AMD Ryzen chips in the market right now. But with all these features, the new Alder Lake Intel CPUs also come with a more premium price tag.

Another thing you should know is that the new Alder Lake CPUs are not supported by the existing motherboards in the market. You must have an LGA 1700 CPU socket, which is available only on the new Z690 motherboards. Additionally, these motherboards are slightly expensive and increase the overall cost of your PC.

So, if you want to experience the latest 12th-gen Intel Core i5 CPUs, you’ll need to buy the new Z690 motherboard. Along with the new Z690 motherboard, you will also need to invest some more in those DDR5 modules, which will put a significant hole in your budget. Also, the best and most high-performing DDR5 RAM modules are expensive and rare in the current market.

On the other hand, if you decide to upgrade to an AMD Ryzen 5 series processor, it is not that expensive. The current Ryzen series 5 supports the existing motherboards with an AM4 socket, which is not that expensive. And talking about the DDR5 memory modules, which AMD clearly does not support, you don’t have to worry about them too much as the current DDR4 modules are sufficiently powerful enough, and there is still time for them to mature.

Furthermore, the PCIe 5.0 standard is less likely to become mainstream until more CPUs and peripherals are ready to support it. To conclude, Intel is clearly ahead in terms of some features, but it is still recommended that you consider AMD if you are looking for a complete value-for-money package.

AMD Ryzen 5 vs Intel Core i5: Power and Thermals

Another factor to consider is the power consumption of the Core i5-12600K, which stands out as remarkably high for a mid-range processor built on a more advanced and efficient process node. Despite effectively leveraging Intel’s new Intel 7 (10nm) process and utilising efficiency cores to reduce power and thermal demands during less demanding tasks, the processor exhibits substantial power requirements under heavy loads. With a base TDP of 125 watts, it can escalate to 150W in its highest power state for optimal performance, releasing the same amount of heat through the cooler.

While the 12600K’s efficiency is an improvement over previous generations of Intel processors, it remains a noteworthy consideration. In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 5600X boasts a lower TDP of just 65W. Although there are reports of it slightly exceeding this under full load with thermal headroom for automatic overclocking, it generally stays below 70W.

Despite the impressive performance of the 12600K, its power and thermal demands are more than double those of the AMD Ryzen counterpart. This places additional strain on cooling systems, power supplies, and the types of systems where this chip is most suitable. For smaller and more thermally constrained systems, especially those incorporating a high-powered GPU, Ryzen CPUs may continue to be a preferable choice.

AMD Ryzen 5 vs Intel Core i5: Gaming

Gaming performance is the true test for any mid-range or high-performance processor. Currently, Intel, with its Intel Core i5-12600K processor, is ruling the gaming market, whether you want 1080p or 4K resolutions. But the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X processor is only one step behind Intel in terms of the price-to-performance curve.

Although gaming performance mainly depends on the GPU that you have paired with your CPU. If you want the ultimate gaming performance, you need to focus on the GPU and get one that provides you with all the juice you will ever need. So, if you are having difficulty picking between these two CPUs, the CPU cost could be a deciding factor. AMD is a really good value proposition in the budget range. Meanwhile, Intel is also close to providing outright frame rate victories using the dedicated graphic card combination. If given an option, limit your CPU spending and use those extra funds to get a better GPU.

But one major point to consider is that the latest 12th-generation CPU from Intel may not support every single game on your PC, irrespective of the operating system you are using. In many of our different games, it is found that certain games won’t boot in the Intel 12th generation processors.

The main reason for this is the new hybrid architecture, which includes two different cores, one high-performing and one power-efficient. Although all popular titles are running without any issues, the ones that still have some issues should be fixed in the coming weeks.

While in most of the games like Cyberpunk 2077, Horizon Zero Dawn (titles using DirectX 12), and Watch Dogs: Legion, Intel takes the lead in overall performance, in some games like Wolfenstein: Youngblood and CS: GO (DirectX 9), AMD is a clear winner. But the case with Intel is high power consumption so your battery will deplete faster than ever.

On the other hand, AMD offers better power efficiency. If battery life is your priority, definitely go with AMD, but if you are looking for a higher frame rate, then Intel is the definite choice.

Here are some gaming FPS benchmarks comparing the latest benchmarks of AMD Ryzen 5 vs Intel Core i5.

Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra, RT Ultra, DLSS Quality, DirectX 12)

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (1080p, Medium, DirectX 9)

Wolfenstein: Youngblood (1080p, Uber, RT, DLSS Quality, Vulkan)

Also read: Intel Processor: A Complete Buying Guide

AMD Ryzen 5 vs Intel Core i5: Pricing and Availability

It is safe to say that pricing is the first thing we consider when purchasing something new. The Intel Core i5-12600K CPU begins at Rs. 27,000, slightly higher than the retail price of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X on the market. So, when choosing between the two, you should definitely go for the Intel one because it outperforms the Ryzen 5 for the same price tag, but there is more you should consider.

You should also consider the cost of other components, such as a new motherboard, new DDR5 memory to maximize the chip’s performance, and a new CPU cooler if you choose to buy the Intel chip.

But in the case of the Ryzen 5 series you need to just pay for the chip whether you are upgrading your existing system or building a new one. The Ryzen 5 series CPUs can work with any of the existing AMD motherboards. And they even use the same DDR4 RAM kit. Moreover, AMD is also bundling a CPU stock cooler with the Ryzen 5 5600X series. This is pretty good, considering you are thinking about overclocking and pushing the limits of the CPU beyond the stock settings. Both these CPUs are currently available in the market, and you can find them on all the e-commerce websites and retail stores.

Final thoughts

If you don’t mind the entry cost it needs to build a gaming PC with the Intel CPU then the Intel Core i5 CPU with the latest 12th chain chip is the no-brainer choice here. It will provide you with the best performance and will set you up for many more years to come it is best for gaming as well as content creation works also. The Intel Core i5 12600k is the best pick right now, and it completely dominates the Ryzen 5600X. 

That being said, it does not mean that AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is by any means a bad CPU. It is a good combination of both power efficiency and a good thermal solution. It may not be as powerful as the 12600k from Intel. But it will provide you with a much better setup if heating is an issue for you. Also, if you want yourself to be future-proof, then you might want to stay away from AMD Ryen 5 as it does not support features like DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 

Also Read: Guide To Buy the Right Graphics Card For PC

FAQs

Is Ryzen 5 better than i5?

Ryzen 5 processors usually have larger L3 cache sizes, which can lead to better performance in tasks like web browsing and multitasking compared to Intel i5 processors. However, the specific benefits depend on the model you choose.

Which is better, Ryzen or Intel?

Deciding between AMD Ryzen and Intel processors depends on what you need. AMD Ryzen is great for multitasking and offers good value, while Intel Core is better for gaming and demanding tasks. Consider your budget, usage, and desired speed when making a decision.

Which is better, Ryzen 5 or Intel i3?

Ryzen 5 processors are generally a better choice for laptops than Intel i3. Ryzen 5 offers better graphics processing, more cores, and improved thermal performance, making it suitable for various tasks.

Why is Ryzen cheaper than Intel?

AMD Ryzen processors often have lower prices due to competitive pricing and cheaper motherboards. The AMD AM4 platform also offers broader compatibility, allowing budget-friendly motherboards to support the latest Ryzen chips after a BIOS update.

Which is better, Intel i5 or Ryzen 7?

An Intel i5 may be preferable for high single-threaded performance. However, due to its higher core count and threading capabilities, an AMD Ryzen 7 is better for strong multi-threaded performance.

Which Ryzen processor is best?

The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is currently the top processor, offering exceptional performance, energy efficiency, and support for the latest technologies like DDR5 and PCIe 5.0.

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