AMD Ryzen 3 1200 vs Intel Core i5-6500
20Single-core25.6
22Multi-core22.9
20.6Gaming21.9
5 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 3 12006 spec wins — Intel Core i5-6500
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i5-6500 wins this desktop processor face-off, 23.5 to 21.1, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+6) and gaming (+1). AMD Ryzen 3 1200 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 3 1200
- 100% higher L2 cache: 2 MB vs 1 MB
- 50% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 16
- 33% higher L3 cache: 8 MB vs 6 MB
- Has Unlocked multiplier — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $109 vs $192
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6500
- Stronger Single-core score: 26 vs 20
- 28% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,180 vs 920
- 27% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 3,050 vs 2,400
- 17% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 3,500 vs 3,000
- 12% higher PassMark: 5,600 vs 5,000
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2017 | 2015 |
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1151 |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W | 65 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | Yes | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 4 | 4 |
| Performance cores | 4 | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 4 | 4 |
| Base clock | 3.1 GHz | 3.2 GHz+3% |
| Boost clock | 3.4 GHz | 3.6 GHz+6% |
| L2 cache | 2 MB+100% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 8 MB+33% | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,050 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2667 | DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24+50% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 920 | 1,180+28% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 2,400 | 3,050+27% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 830 | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 3,000 | 3,500+17% |
| PassMark | 5,000 | 5,600+12% |
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