Core i5-10500 vs Ryzen 5 2600
Core i5-10500
Ryzen 5 2600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10500
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 2600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-10500 | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($178) | ✅ More affordable ($145) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) / 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-10500 | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+23%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($178) | ✅ More affordable ($145) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10500 and Ryzen 5 2600
Core i5-10500
The Core i5-10500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,067 points. Launch price was $149.
Ryzen 5 2600
The Ryzen 5 2600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,145 points. Launch price was $199.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-10500 and Ryzen 5 2600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-10500 versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2600 — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-10500 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-10500 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2600 uses Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10500 scores 13,067 against the Ryzen 5 2600's 13,145 — a 0.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 2600. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10500 vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2600.
| Feature | Core i5-10500 | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz+15% | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz | 3.4 GHz+10% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 16 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 3 MB+1100% |
| Process | 14 nm | 12 nm-14% |
| Architecture | Comet Lake (2020−2025) | Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) |
| PassMark | 13,067 | 13,145 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 6,344 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,163 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 4,893 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-10500 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 2600 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Core i5-10500 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10500) vs 20 (Ryzen 5 2600) — the Ryzen 5 2600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i5-10500 | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 2600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10500) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 2600). The Core i5-10500 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 2600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10500 targets Desktop, Ryzen 5 2600 targets General Productivity. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 2600 rivals Core i5-9400.
| Feature | Core i5-10500 | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | Yes |
| Target Use | Desktop | General Productivity |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-10500 launched at $200 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 2600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($178 vs $145), the Ryzen 5 2600 is $33 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10500 delivers 73.4 pts/$ vs 90.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 2600 — making the Ryzen 5 2600 the 21% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-10500 | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $200 | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $178 | $145-19% |
| Performance per Dollar | 73.4 | 90.7+24% |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2018 |
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