How the CPU performs during gaming with AMD and Intel processors?
How the CPU performs during gaming with AMD and Intel processors?
Hello, I analyzed the CPU load on a PC with an Intel i5 12400f and another with a Ryzen 5 7600 while playing FarCry 6. The i5 showed higher load, reaching up to 70%-80%, whereas the Ryzen 5 stayed around 50%-60%. The remaining parts were similar, except for the motherboard: Intel used Z690 UD DDR4, and AMD had a B650 Gaming X. The rest included an RTX3060 12GB, two 16GB DDR5 6000 modules, a 500GB M.2 SSD with PCI-e gen 4.0, and a 650W PSU. The question is whether the 70-80% load on the Intel CPU corresponds to the 50-60% load on the AMD CPU.
test 1: observe the frame rate
test 2: apply identical workload to both CPUs (lock FPS using vsync) and assess the distribution of load on each.
Youtube reports 40-50% utilization with 120+ FPS on the 1200f at low settings.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEWoFy44UCU
In this scenario it is likely the case that the issue stems from clock speeds, as Zen 4 isn't significantly faster than the ADL clock for this purpose, though it tends to be more efficient overall. The 7600 can reach up to 5.1 GHz (specifically 5150 MHz according to TPU tests), while the 12400F has a maximum boost clock of 4.4 GHz, which is about a 16% difference in speed. This performance gap between Zen 4 and ADL would likely account for the rest of the explanation.
TPU indicates both CPUs maintaining identical FPS in the game, meaning efficiency variations would likely favor Intel because it sustains the same FPS at reduced clock speeds. (Alternatively, it could suggest that the TPU's clock readings are just averages, on lighter tasks where cores can still frequently reach maximum speed to maintain a high average.) Additionally, each core contributes a consistent percentage regardless of clock speed, ensuring both CPUs display comparable usage rates due to identical thread counts and differences arising from clocks or FPS.
You literally don't have a clue how CPU load works if you actually believe what you typed. Unless a program is maxing out a CPU it is entirely possible for there to be a heavier load on one than another to net the same or similar performance. There's no question as to whether or not the 7600 is a faster CPU than the 12400F. Both CPUs have the same core count, but AMD's clocks much higher which means each one of those higher clocked cores have the potential to get more work done during any given period. This means for a properly threaded program less of the CPU would need to be utilized for the same amount of work to be completed.
As for those benchmarks take them with a giant grain of salt because if the OP is running updated Windows 11 your linked numbers mean nothing. 24H2 included the scheduling improvements for AMD CPUs which improved gaming performance pretty much across the board.
Also clock speed has by itself has no bearing on efficiency. Efficiency is a power measure be it tied to performance or time to complete a task.
Yes, comparable results mean the same CPU utilization percentage.
Indeed, "identical workload" would cap the frames per second, as discussed, otherwise the usage rate would match but the performance metrics would differ.
When executing these tests, start the task manager. On the performance chart, choose logical processors. This will provide a clear understanding of how the logical threads are being utilized. Both processors employ techniques like SMT or hyperthreading, which means the logical threads won't perform as efficiently as the main core.
The Ryzen 100 is pricier and released later than the 12400F, suggesting it offers better efficiency and advanced features.
Except when the load reaches 99-100 %, it doesn't indicate anything.