Core i5-7600 vs Ryzen 5 3450U

Core i5-7600 vs Ryzen 5 3450U Performance Spectrum

Core i5-7600

4 / 4

6,568

+0.3%

6,550

0.0%

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 i5-7600 vs Ryzen 5 3450U 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 i5-7600 vs Ryzen 5 3450U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7600

2017

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 3450U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 3450U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $224 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 3450U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Ryzen 5 3450U

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,550 vs 6,568).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-7600.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7600 better than Ryzen 5 3450U?

Yes. Core i5-7600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-7600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.1% 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 i5-7600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i5-7600 is the better buy right now. Core i5-7600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $224 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (29.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5 3450U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7600 vs Ryzen 5 3450U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7600

The Core i5-7600 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 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: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,568 points. Launch price was $224.

Ryzen 5 3450U

The Ryzen 5 3450U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,550 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7600 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Ryzen 5 3450U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-7600 versus 3.5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3450U — a 15.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-7600 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-7600 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3450U uses Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7600 scores 6,568 against the Ryzen 5 3450U's 6,550 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-7600. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7600 vs 4 MB on the Ryzen 5 3450U.

Feature	Core i5-7600	Ryzen 5 3450U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+17%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+67%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	14 nm	12 nm-14%
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020)
PassMark	6,568	6,550
Geekbench 6 Single	1,307	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7600 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3450U uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7600	Ryzen 5 3450U
Socket	LGA1151	FP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7600) / not specified (Ryzen 5 3450U). The Core i5-7600 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 3450U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-7600 rivals Ryzen 5 1500X.