Core Ultra 7 155H vs Ryzen 5 3600

Intel

Core Ultra 7 155H

16 Cores22 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023
Core Ultra family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Core Ultra 7 155H vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 Ultra 7 155H vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 Ultra 7 155H vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core Ultra 7 155H

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +20.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • 16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores), while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 155H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,500 vs 17,650).
  • Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 155H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 155H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 155H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 155H better than Ryzen 5 3600?
Yes. Core Ultra 7 155H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 20.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 85.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 39.7% 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 Ultra 7 155H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 20.0% 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 Ultra 7 155H is the stronger fit. You are getting 85.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 22 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core Ultra 7 155H is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 7 155H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 7 155H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 22 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 7 155H vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core Ultra 7 155H

The Core Ultra 7 155H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 22 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,705 points. Launch price was $503.

AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 7 155H packs 16 cores / 22 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 7 155H has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 155H versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 155H (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 155H uses the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 155H scores 24,705 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 33.1% lead for the Core Ultra 7 155H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,650 vs 9,500 (60% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 155H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,384 vs 1,295, a 59.2% lead for the Core Ultra 7 155H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,433 vs 1,898 (147% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 155H). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 155H vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore Ultra 7 155HRyzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads
16 / 22+167%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz+14%
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.8 GHz+6%
3.6 GHz
L3 Cache
24 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+25500%
Process
7 nm
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Meteor Lake-H (2023)
Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark
24,705+40%
17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi
17,650+86%
9,500
Geekbench 6 Single
2,384+84%
1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi
12,433+555%
1,898
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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 155H uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600 on the Core Ultra 7 155H versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Core Ultra 7 155H supports 133.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 3600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core Ultra 7 155H) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Core Ultra 7 155H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Meteor Lake SoC (Core Ultra 7 155H) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

FeatureCore Ultra 7 155HRyzen 5 3600
Socket
FCBGA2049
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600+133%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
96 GB
128 GB+33%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
28+17%
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 7 155H) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Core Ultra 7 155H includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 155H targets Thin-and-light Performance / AI, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 155H rivals Ryzen 7 8840HS; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

FeatureCore Ultra 7 155HRyzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Yes
Target Use
Thin-and-light Performance / AI
Gaming/Budget Workstation