Core i5-7500 vs Ryzen 3 1200

CPU

GPU

Core i5-7500

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2017

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Ryzen 3 1200

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2017

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Core i5-7500 vs Ryzen 3 1200 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-7500

4 / 4

6,362

0.0%

6,407

+0.7%

Athlon II X4 651

Ryzen Embedded R1606G

FX-8320E

Ryzen 3 3300U

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

Ryzen 9 5900XT

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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 i5-7500 vs Ryzen 3 1200 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 i5-7500 vs Ryzen 3 1200: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7500

2017

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 3 1200 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,362 vs 6,407).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.0 vs 58.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 3 1200.

Ryzen 3 1200

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $90 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 83.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 58.8 vs 32.0 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 1200 better than Core i5-7500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-7500 is ahead with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 3 1200 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Ryzen 3 1200 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 3 1200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Ryzen 3 1200 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 3 1200 comes in $90 cheaper on MSRP at $109 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-7500 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 83.9% better value on MSRP (58.8 vs 32.0 PassMark/$), 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 3 1200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-7500 vs Ryzen 3 1200 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7500

The Core i5-7500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,362 points. Launch price was $202.

Ryzen 3 1200

The Ryzen 3 1200 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,407 points. Launch price was $109.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-7500 and Ryzen 3 1200 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-7500 versus 3.4 GHz on the Ryzen 3 1200 — a 11.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-7500 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-7500 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 1200 uses Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7500 scores 6,362 against the Ryzen 3 1200's 6,407 — a 0.7% lead for the Ryzen 3 1200. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7500 vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 1200.

Feature	Core i5-7500	Ryzen 3 1200
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+12%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+10%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017)
PassMark	6,362	6,407
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,013
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,000
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7500 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 1200 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7500 versus DDR4-2666 on the Ryzen 3 1200 — the Ryzen 3 1200 supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-7500) vs 24 (Ryzen 3 1200) — the Ryzen 3 1200 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 200 series,Intel 100 series (Core i5-7500) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Ryzen 3 1200).

Feature	Core i5-7500	Ryzen 3 1200
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2666+11%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 3 1200 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7500) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 3 1200). The Core i5-7500 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 3 1200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7500 targets Desktop, Ryzen 3 1200 targets Budget.

Feature	Core i5-7500	Ryzen 3 1200
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-7500 was priced at $199, while the Ryzen 3 1200 came in at $109. On launch pricing ($199 vs $109), Ryzen 3 1200 was $90 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7500 delivers 32.0 pts/$ vs 58.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 1200 — making the Ryzen 3 1200 the 59.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-7500	Ryzen 3 1200
MSRP	$199	$109-45%
Performance per Dollar	32.0	58.8+84%
Release Date	2017	2017

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