Core i7-1265U vs Ryzen 3 3300X

Intel

Core i7-1265U

10 Cores12 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2022
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 3300X

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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Core i7-1265U vs Ryzen 3 3300X 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 i7-1265U vs Ryzen 3 3300X 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 i7-1265U vs Ryzen 3 3300X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-1265U

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +12.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (13,282 vs 13,425).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Ryzen 3 3300X

2020

Why buy it

  • +1.1% higher PassMark.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1265U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $120 MSRP, while Core i7-1265U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-1265U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1265U better than Ryzen 3 3300X?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-1265U is ahead with a 12.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 3 3300X pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Ryzen 3 3300X also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 3 3300X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-1265U is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 3 3300X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-1265U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $120 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 3 3300X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. Ryzen 3 3300X is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-1265U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-1265U vs Ryzen 3 3300X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-1265U

The Core i7-1265U 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 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: 13,282 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

Ryzen 3 3300X

The Ryzen 3 3300X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 16 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: 13,425 points. Launch price was $120.

Processing Power

The Core i7-1265U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 3300X offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-1265U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-1265U versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3300X — a 11% clock advantage for the Core i7-1265U (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i7-1265U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 3 3300X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-1265U scores 13,282 against the Ryzen 3 3300X's 13,425 — a 1.1% lead for the Ryzen 3 3300X. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1265U vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 3300X.

FeatureCore i7-1265URyzen 3 3300X
Cores / Threads
10 / 12+150%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz+12%
4.3 GHz
Base Clock
1.8 GHz
3.8 GHz+111%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+40860%
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-U (2022)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
13,282
13,425+1%
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-1265U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 3 3300X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-1265URyzen 3 3300X
Socket
FCBGA1744
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
24