Core i5-8600T vs Ryzen 5 7520U

Intel

Core i5-8600T

6 Cores6 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 7520U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2022
Ryzen family
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Core i5-8600T vs Ryzen 5 7520U Performance Spectrum

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 i5-8600T vs Ryzen 5 7520U 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 i5-8600T vs Ryzen 5 7520U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8600T

2018

Why buy it

  • +2.3% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • +125% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 4 MB).
  • 300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 7520U.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 7520U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $213 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 7520U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 7520U moves to FT6 and DDR5.

Ryzen 5 7520U

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +11.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FT6 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (4,527 vs 4,633).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 9 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8600T.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 7520U better than Core i5-8600T?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 7520U is ahead with a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8600T pulls ahead with 2.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-8600T also has the bigger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8600T is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 7520U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 5 7520U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $213 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8600T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (43.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 7520U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018) and a healthier platform with FT6 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-8600T vs Ryzen 5 7520U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-8600T

The Core i5-8600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,201 points. Launch price was $213.

AMD

Ryzen 5 7520U

The Ryzen 5 7520U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Mendocino-U (Zen 2) (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 6 nm process technology. Socket: FT6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 9,063 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-8600T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Ryzen 5 7520U offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8600T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-8600T versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 5 7520U — a 15% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 7520U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-8600T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 7520U uses Mendocino-U (Zen 2) (2022) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8600T scores 9,201 against the Ryzen 5 7520U's 9,063 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i5-8600T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4,633 vs 4,527 (2.3% advantage for the Core i5-8600T). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,224 vs 797, a 42.3% lead for the Core i5-8600T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,470 vs 2,744 (47.9% advantage for the Core i5-8600T). L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8600T vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 7520U.

FeatureCore i5-8600TRyzen 5 7520U
Cores / Threads
6 / 6+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
4.3 GHz+16%
Base Clock
2.3 GHz
2.8 GHz+22%
L3 Cache
9 MB (total)+125%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
6 nm-57%
Architecture
Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
Mendocino-U (Zen 2) (2022)
PassMark
9,201+2%
9,063
Cinebench R23 Multi
4,633+2%
4,527
Geekbench 6 Single
1,224+54%
797
Geekbench 6 Multi
4,470+63%
2,744
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8600T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 7520U uses FT6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-8600T versus LPDDR5-5500 on the Ryzen 5 7520U — the Ryzen 5 7520U supports 106.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-8600T supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-8600T) vs 4 (Ryzen 5 7520U) — the Core i5-8600T offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,H370,Q370,Z370,Z390 (Core i5-8600T) and FT6 (Ryzen 5 7520U).

FeatureCore i5-8600TRyzen 5 7520U
Socket
LGA1151
FT6
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
LPDDR5-5500+106%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+700%
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16+300%
4
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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-8600T) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 7520U). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8600T) and Radeon 610M (Ryzen 5 7520U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore i5-8600TRyzen 5 7520U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Radeon 610M
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
Yes
AMD-V