Core i7-1255U vs Ryzen 3 5300G

Intel

Core i7-1255U

10 Cores12 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2022
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 5300G

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2021
Ryzen family
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Core i7-1255U vs Ryzen 3 5300G 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 i7-1255U vs Ryzen 3 5300G 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 i7-1255U vs Ryzen 3 5300G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-1255U

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +11.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Ryzen 3 5300G

2021

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1255U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (13,050 vs 13,128).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
    • Launch MSRP is still $130 MSRP, while Core i7-1255U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • 333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i7-1255U better than Ryzen 3 5300G?
    Yes. Core i7-1255U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better 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 i7-1255U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.7% 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 i7-1255U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, 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 i7-1255U is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 3 5300G is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-1255U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $130 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 3 5300G is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (100.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Core i7-1255U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 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 gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

    Core i7-1255U vs Ryzen 3 5300G Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Core i7-1255U

    The Core i7-1255U 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 1.7 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: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,128 points. Launch price was $149.

    AMD

    Ryzen 3 5300G

    The Ryzen 3 5300G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 April 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. 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: 13,050 points. Launch price was $149.

    Processing Power

    The Core i7-1255U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 5300G offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-1255U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-1255U versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 3 5300G — a 11.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-1255U (base: 1.7 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i7-1255U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 3 5300G uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-1255U scores 13,128 against the Ryzen 3 5300G's 13,050 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-1255U. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1255U vs 8 MB on the Ryzen 3 5300G.

    FeatureCore i7-1255URyzen 3 5300G
    Cores / Threads
    10 / 12+150%
    4 / 8
    Boost Clock
    4.7 GHz+12%
    4.2 GHz
    Base Clock
    1.7 GHz
    4 GHz+135%
    L3 Cache
    12 MB (total)+50%
    8 MB
    L2 Cache
    1.25 MB (per core)
    512K (per core)+40860%
    Process
    Intel 7 nm
    7 nm
    Architecture
    Alder Lake-U (2022)
    Cezanne (2021−2025)
    PassMark
    13,128
    13,050
    Geekbench 6 Single
    1,809
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i7-1255U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 3 5300G uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i7-1255URyzen 3 5300G
    Socket
    FCBGA1744
    AM4
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 5.0+25%
    PCIe 4.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR5-4800
    Max RAM Capacity
    64 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    20
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1255U) / not specified (Ryzen 3 5300G). The Core i7-1255U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU), while the Ryzen 3 5300G requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1255U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-1255U rivals Ryzen 7 6800U.

    FeatureCore i7-1255URyzen 3 5300G
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Iris Xe Graphics 96EU
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d, EPT
    Target Use
    Mainstream Laptop