Core i5-1250P vs Ryzen 5 5500

Intel

Core i5-1250P

12 Cores16 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5500

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2022
Ryzen family
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Core i5-1250P vs Ryzen 5 5500 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 i5-1250P vs Ryzen 5 5500 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 i5-1250P vs Ryzen 5 5500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1250P

2022

Why buy it

  • Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU), while Ryzen 5 5500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (19,167 vs 19,311).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Ryzen 5 5500

2022

Why buy it

  • +0.8% higher PassMark.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $159 MSRP, while Core i5-1250P mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-1250P moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1250P can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1250P better than Ryzen 5 5500?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-1250P is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 5500 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 5500 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 5500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-1250P is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-1250P comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $159 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 5500 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 5500 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (121.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-1250P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1250P vs Ryzen 5 5500 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-1250P

The Core i5-1250P 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: 19,167 points. Launch price was $299.

AMD

Ryzen 5 5500

The Ryzen 5 5500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,311 points. Launch price was $159.

Processing Power

The Core i5-1250P packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5500 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-1250P has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1250P versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500 — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-1250P (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-1250P uses the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1250P scores 19,167 against the Ryzen 5 5500's 19,311 — a 0.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 5500. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1250P vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 5500.

FeatureCore i5-1250PRyzen 5 5500
Cores / Threads
12 / 16+100%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+5%
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
3.6 GHz+112%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
16 MB+33%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+40860%
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-P (2022)
Cezanne (2021−2025)
PassMark
19,167
19,311
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,250
Geekbench 6 Single
1,785
Geekbench 6 Multi
8,420
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1250P uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-1250P versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5500 — the Core i5-1250P supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5500 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-1250P) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5500) — the Ryzen 5 5500 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: BGA1744 (Core i5-1250P) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series (Ryzen 5 5500).

FeatureCore i5-1250PRyzen 5 5500
Socket
FCBGA1744
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800+50%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
128 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5500 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-1250P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-1250P) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5500). The Core i5-1250P includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU)), while the Ryzen 5 5500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5500 targets Desktop.

FeatureCore i5-1250PRyzen 5 5500
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU)
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Desktop