Core i5-14500HX vs Ryzen 7 260

Core i5-14500HX vs Ryzen 7 260 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-14500HX

14 / 20

28,383

+0.2%

28,339

0.0%

Ryzen Embedded V2718

Ryzen 5 6600HS

Ryzen Threadripper 1950

Ryzen 7 8840HS

Ryzen 9 7845HX

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

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 i5-14500HX vs Ryzen 7 260 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 i5-14500HX vs Ryzen 7 260: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-14500HX

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 260 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Ryzen 7 260

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (28,339 vs 28,383).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i5-14500HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 260 better than Core i5-14500HX?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 260 is ahead with a 20.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-14500HX pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i5-14500HX also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-14500HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 260 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 260 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-14500HX is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (142.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 7 260 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2024). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-14500HX vs Ryzen 7 260 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-14500HX

The Core i5-14500HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 28,383 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 7 260

The Ryzen 7 260 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 28,339 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-14500HX packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 7 260 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-14500HX has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-14500HX versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 260 — a 4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 260 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-14500HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 7 260 uses Hawk Point (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-14500HX scores 28,383 against the Ryzen 7 260's 28,339 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-14500HX. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-14500HX vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 260.

Feature	Core i5-14500HX	Ryzen 7 260
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5.1 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+46%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)+50%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024)	Hawk Point (2024−2025)
PassMark	28,383	28,339
Geekbench 6 Single	2,409	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,150	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-14500HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 260 uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core i5-14500HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 200% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-14500HX	Ryzen 7 260
Socket	FCBGA1964	FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+200%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-14500HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 7 260 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-14500HX) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 260). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (Core i5-14500HX) and Radeon 780M (Ryzen 7 260) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-14500HX targets Gaming Laptop, Ryzen 7 260 targets Mobile.