CPU
GPU
Core i5-7500
Ryzen 3 1200
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-7500 is positioned at rank 573 and the Ryzen 3 1200 is on rank 366, so the Ryzen 3 1200 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7500
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 3 1200
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-7500 | Ryzen 3 1200 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($65) | ✅ More affordable ($50) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-7500 | Ryzen 3 1200 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+31%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($65) | ✅ More affordable ($50) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-7500 and Ryzen 3 1200
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. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. 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 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| 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
The Core i5-7500 launched at $199 MSRP, while the Ryzen 3 1200 debuted at $109. At current prices ($65 vs $50), the Ryzen 3 1200 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7500 delivers 97.9 pts/$ vs 128.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 1200 — making the Ryzen 3 1200 the 26.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-7500 | Ryzen 3 1200 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199 | $109-45% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $65 | $50-23% |
| Performance per Dollar | 97.9 | 128.1+31% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2017 |
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