How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 scores 21.1/100 overall; Intel Core i5-6500 scores 23.5/100. AMD Ryzen 3 1200 wins 5 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-6500 wins 6.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 and the Intel Core i5-6500?

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 advantages: 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. Intel Core i5-6500 advantages: 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.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or Intel Core i5-6500?

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 launched cheaper at $109, versus $192 for the Intel Core i5-6500.

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 vs Intel Core i5-6500

AMD

AMD Ryzen 3 1200

$109

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-6500

$192

20Single-core25.6

22Multi-core22.9

20.6Gamingspec-based21.9

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 multi-core (+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

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i5-6500
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

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i5-6500
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

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i5-6500
iGPU	—	Intel HD Graphics 530
iGPU clock	—	1,050 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i5-6500
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

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i5-6500
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	24+50%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i5-6500
Geekbench 6 (single)	920Bottom 3%	1,180+28%Bottom 13%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	2,400Bottom 3%	3,050+27%Bottom 8%
Cinebench R23 (single)	830Bottom 2%	—
Cinebench R23 (multi)	3,000Bottom 2%	3,500+17%Bottom 4%
PassMark	5,000Bottom 3%	5,600+12%Bottom 4%

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