Core i5-1240U vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

Intel

Core i5-1240U

10 Cores12 Thrd9.5 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018

Core i5-1240U vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 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 i5-1240U vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 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 i5-1240U vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1240U

2022

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +15.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Draws 10W instead of 65W, a 56W reduction.
  • βœ…Newer platform on FCBGA1781 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (14 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

2018

Why buy it

  • βœ…+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1240U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (13,330 vs 13,387).
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i5-1240U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌584.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 9.5W.
  • ❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-1240U moves to FCBGA1781 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1240U better than Ryzen 5 PRO 2600?
Yes. Core i5-1240U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better 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 i5-1240U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.3% 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 i5-1240U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-1240U is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-1240U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (67.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-1240U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018), a healthier platform with FCBGA1781 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1240U vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-1240U

The Core i5-1240U 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 1.1 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: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9.5 MBΒ +Β 12 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,387 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

The Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 September 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018βˆ’2019) 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: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 13,330 points. Launch price was $149.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i5-1240U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads β€” the Core i5-1240U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1240U versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 β€” a 12% clock advantage for the Core i5-1240U (base: 1.1 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-1240U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 uses Zen+ (2018βˆ’2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1240U scores 13,387 against the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600's 13,330 β€” a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-1240U. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1240U vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600.

FeatureCore i5-1240URyzen 5 PRO 2600
Cores / Threads
10 / 12+67%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+13%
3.9 GHz
Base Clock
1.1 GHz
3.4 GHz+209%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+40860%
Process
Intel 7 nm-42%
12 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-U (2022)
Zen+ (2018βˆ’2019)
PassMark
13,387
13,330
Geekbench 6 Single
1,650
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1240U uses the FCBGA1781 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-1240URyzen 5 PRO 2600
Socket
FCBGA1781
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5-5200
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
No
β€”
PCIe Lanes
14
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1240U) / not specified (Ryzen 5 PRO 2600). The Core i5-1240U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1240U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1240U rivals Ryzen 5 5600U.

FeatureCore i5-1240URyzen 5 PRO 2600
Integrated GPU
Yes
β€”
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
β€”
Target Use
Thin & Light Laptop
β€”