Core i7-1250U vs Ryzen 3 5425U

CPU

GPU

Core i7-1250U

10 Cores12 Thrd9.5 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2022

Similar parts

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Ryzen 3 5425U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Core i7-1250U vs Ryzen 3 5425U Performance Spectrum

Core i7-1250U

10 / 12

11,305

+0.3%

11,270

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

Ryzen 9 7900

Ryzen 9 9950X

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 i7-1250U vs Ryzen 3 5425U 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 i7-1250U vs Ryzen 3 5425U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-1250U

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 10W instead of 15W, a 6W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1781 with DDR5 support instead of FP6 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $426 MSRP, while Ryzen 3 5425U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Ryzen 3 5425U

2022

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1250U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (5,761 vs 6,788).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌57.9% higher power demand at 15W vs 9.5W.
❌Older platform position on FP6 with DDR4, while Core i7-1250U moves to FCBGA1781 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1250U better than Ryzen 3 5425U?

Yes. Core i7-1250U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 22.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 17.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 0.3% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-1250U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 22.8% 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 i7-1250U is the stronger fit. You are getting 17.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-1250U is the better buy right now. Core i7-1250U comes in at an unclear MSRP at $426 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-1250U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with FCBGA1781 and DDR5 instead of FP6, 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-1250U vs Ryzen 3 5425U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-1250U

The Core i7-1250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9.5 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 11,305 points. Launch price was $149.

Ryzen 3 5425U

The Ryzen 3 5425U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Barcelo-U (Zen 3) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 11,270 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-1250U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 5425U offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-1250U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-1250U versus 4.1 GHz on the Ryzen 3 5425U — a 13.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-1250U (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-1250U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 3 5425U uses Barcelo-U (Zen 3) (2022−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-1250U scores 11,305 against the Ryzen 3 5425U's 11,270 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-1250U. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 6,788 vs 5,761 (16.4% advantage for the Core i7-1250U). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,600 vs 1,663, a 3.9% lead for the Ryzen 3 5425U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,500 vs 4,701 (32.1% advantage for the Core i7-1250U). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1250U vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 5425U.

Feature	Core i7-1250U	Ryzen 3 5425U
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+150%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+15%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.7 GHz+145%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+40860%
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-U (2022)	Barcelo-U (Zen 3) (2022−2023)
PassMark	11,305	11,270
Cinebench R23 Multi	6,788+18%	5,761
Geekbench 6 Single	1,600	1,663+4%
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,500+38%	4,701

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-1250U uses the FCBGA1781 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 3 5425U uses FP6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200 on the Core i7-1250U versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 3 5425U — the Core i7-1250U supports 62.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-1250U supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-1250U) vs 16 (Ryzen 3 5425U) — the Core i7-1250U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core i7-1250U) and FP6 (Ryzen 3 5425U).

Feature	Core i7-1250U	Ryzen 3 5425U
Socket	FCBGA1781	FP6
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5200+63%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1250U) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 3 5425U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96EU) (Core i7-1250U) and Radeon RX Vega 6 (Ryzen 3 5425U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1250U targets Thin and Light Laptop, Ryzen 3 5425U targets Budget.

Feature	Core i7-1250U	Ryzen 3 5425U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96EU)	Radeon RX Vega 6
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	Thin and Light Laptop	Budget