Core i7-1255U vs Ryzen 5 4600U

Core i7-1255U vs Ryzen 5 4600U Performance Spectrum

Core i7-1255U

10 / 12

13,128

+0.7%

13,043

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

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 i7-1255U vs Ryzen 5 4600U 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 5 4600U: 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: +32.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of FP6 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while Ryzen 5 4600U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Ryzen 5 4600U

2020

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1255U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,043 vs 13,128).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Older platform position on FP6 with DDR4, while Core i7-1255U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-1255U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1255U better than Ryzen 5 4600U?

Yes. Core i7-1255U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 32.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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 32.3% 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 0.7% 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 still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-1255U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 32.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 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 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-1255U vs Ryzen 5 4600U Technical Specifications

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

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.

Ryzen 5 4600U

The Ryzen 5 4600U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Renoir-U (Zen 2) (2020−2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,043 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-1255U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 4600U offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-1255U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-1255U versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 4600U — a 16.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-1255U (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-1255U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 4600U uses Renoir-U (Zen 2) (2020−2021) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-1255U scores 13,128 against the Ryzen 5 4600U's 13,043 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-1255U. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1255U vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 4600U.

Feature	Core i7-1255U	Ryzen 5 4600U
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+18%	4 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	2.1 GHz+24%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-U (2022)	Renoir-U (Zen 2) (2020−2021)
PassMark	13,128	13,043
Geekbench 6 Single	1,809	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-1255U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 4600U uses FP6 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-1255U	Ryzen 5 4600U
Socket	FCBGA1744	FP6
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1255U) / not specified (Ryzen 5 4600U). The Core i7-1255U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU), while the Ryzen 5 4600U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1255U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-1255U rivals Ryzen 7 6800U.