Core i5-1240P vs Ryzen 5 4500

Intel

Core i5-1240P

12 Cores16 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 4500

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2022

Core i5-1240P vs Ryzen 5 4500 Performance Spectrum

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 i5-1240P vs Ryzen 5 4500 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 i5-1240P vs Ryzen 5 4500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1240P

2022

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +12.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • βœ…Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
  • βœ…Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • βœ…25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 52.5 vs 124.4 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).
  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 4500.

Ryzen 5 4500

2022

Why buy it

  • βœ…Costs $180 less on MSRP ($129 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 137.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 124.4 vs 52.5 PassMark/$ ($129 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
  • βœ…Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-1240P.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1240P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,433 vs 11,268).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
  • ❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
  • ❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-1240P moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1240P better than Ryzen 5 4500?
Yes. Core i5-1240P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 33.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 1.1% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-1240P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1240P is the stronger fit. You are getting 33.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-1240P is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 4500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-1240P comes in 139.5% more expensive on MSRP at $309 MSRP versus $129 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 4500 is also 137.0% better value on MSRP (124.4 vs 52.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-1240P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1240P vs Ryzen 5 4500 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-1240P

The Core i5-1240P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 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): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,224 points. Launch price was $299.

AMD

Ryzen 5 4500

The Ryzen 5 4500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Renoir (2020βˆ’2023) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 16,049 points. Launch price was $129.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i5-1240P packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 4500 offers 6 cores / 12 threads β€” the Core i5-1240P has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1240P versus 4.1 GHz on the Ryzen 5 4500 β€” a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-1240P (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-1240P uses the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 4500 uses Renoir (2020βˆ’2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1240P scores 16,224 against the Ryzen 5 4500's 16,049 β€” a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-1240P. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 11,268 vs 8,433 (28.8% advantage for the Core i5-1240P). Geekbench 6 single-core β€” the metric most relevant to gaming β€” records 2,102 vs 1,560, a 29.6% lead for the Core i5-1240P that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,577 vs 6,235 (19.4% advantage for the Core i5-1240P). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1240P vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 4500.

FeatureCore i5-1240PRyzen 5 4500
Cores / Threads
12 / 16+100%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+7%
4.1 GHz
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
3.6 GHz+112%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+50%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+150%
512 kB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-P (2022)
Renoir (2020βˆ’2023)
PassMark
16,224+1%
16,049
Cinebench R23 Multi
11,268+34%
8,433
Geekbench 6 Single
2,102+35%
1,560
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,577+22%
6,235
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1240P uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 4500 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-1240P versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 4500 β€” the Core i5-1240P supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 4500 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB β€” 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-1240P) vs 16 (Ryzen 5 4500) β€” the Core i5-1240P offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Alder Lake-P (Core i5-1240P) and A320,B450,X570,B550 (Ryzen 5 4500).

FeatureCore i5-1240PRyzen 5 4500
Socket
FCBGA1744
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+50%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
128 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20+25%
16
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 4500 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking β€” a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-1240P) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 4500). The Core i5-1240P includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics), while the Ryzen 5 4500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1240P targets Budget, Ryzen 5 4500 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-1240P rivals Ryzen 5 6600U; Ryzen 5 4500 rivals Core i5-10400F.

FeatureCore i5-1240PRyzen 5 4500
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics
β€”
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Budget
Gaming
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-1240P was priced at $309, while the Ryzen 5 4500 came in at $129. On launch pricing ($309 vs $129), Ryzen 5 4500 was $180 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-1240P delivers 52.5 pts/$ vs 124.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 4500 β€” making the Ryzen 5 4500 the 81.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-1240PRyzen 5 4500
MSRP
$309
$129-58%
Performance per Dollar
52.5
124.4+137%
Release Date
2022
2022

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