Core i5-1235U vs Ryzen AI 5 330

Core i5-1235U vs Ryzen AI 5 330 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-1235U

10 / 12

12,740

0.0%

12,794

+0.4%

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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.

Core i5-1235U vs Ryzen AI 5 330 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-1235U vs Ryzen AI 5 330: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-1235U

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 28W, a 13W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Ryzen AI 5 330 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,740 vs 12,794).

Ryzen AI 5 330

2025

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1235U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $350 MSRP, while Core i5-1235U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌86.7% higher power demand at 28W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1235U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen AI 5 330 better than Core i5-1235U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-1235U is ahead with a 25.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen AI 5 330 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i5-1235U also has the bigger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen AI 5 330 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen AI 5 330 is the better buy right now. Ryzen AI 5 330 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $350 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-1235U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 25.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (36.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen AI 5 330 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 10/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1235U vs Ryzen AI 5 330 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-1235U

The Core i5-1235U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,740 points. Launch price was $149.

Ryzen AI 5 330

The Ryzen AI 5 330 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Krackan Point 2 (2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5, LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 12,794 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-1235U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen AI 5 330 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-1235U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1235U versus 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen AI 5 330 — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI 5 330 (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-1235U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen AI 5 330 uses Krackan Point 2 (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1235U scores 12,740 against the Ryzen AI 5 330's 12,794 — a 0.4% lead for the Ryzen AI 5 330. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1235U vs 4 MB on the Ryzen AI 5 330.

Feature	Core i5-1235U	Ryzen AI 5 330
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+150%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2 GHz+54%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+200%	4 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Alder Lake-U (2022)	Krackan Point 2 (2025)
PassMark	12,740	12,794
Geekbench 6 Single	2,095	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1235U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen AI 5 330 uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-1235U	Ryzen AI 5 330
Socket	FCBGA1744	FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1235U) / not specified (Ryzen AI 5 330). The Core i5-1235U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Ryzen AI 5 330 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1235U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1235U rivals Ryzen 5 6600U.