Core i5-8250U vs Ryzen 5 5600
Core i5-8250U
Ryzen 5 5600
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. The Core i5-8250U is positioned at rank #860 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8250U
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-8250U | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-8250U | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
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 i5-8250U and Ryzen 5 5600
Core i5-8250U
The Core i5-8250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,158 points. Launch price was $297.
Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). 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: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i5-8250U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-8250U versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 25.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-8250U uses the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8250U scores 6,158 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 111.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,127 vs 2,052, a 58.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8250U vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Core i5-8250U | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz+29% |
| Base Clock | 1.6 GHz | 3.5 GHz+119% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 32 MB (total)+433% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512K (per core)+100% |
| Process | 14 nm | 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) | Vermeer (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 6,158 | 21,550+250% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 11,077 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,127 | 2,052+82% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 8,600 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-8250U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. The Ryzen 5 5600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-8250U) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Kaby Lake-R (Core i5-8250U) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).
| Feature | Core i5-8250U | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1356 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 128 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 24+100% |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8250U) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). The Core i5-8250U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the Ryzen 5 5600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8250U targets Mainstream Laptop, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8250U rivals Ryzen 5 2500U.
| Feature | Core i5-8250U | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 620 | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | Desktop |
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