Core Ultra 7 164U vs Ryzen 5 5500U

Core Ultra 7 164U vs Ryzen 5 5500U Performance Spectrum

Core Ultra 7 164U

12 / 14

12,625

0.0%

12,736

+0.9%

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX

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 Ultra 7 164U vs Ryzen 5 5500U 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 164U vs Ryzen 5 5500U: 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 164U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2551 with DDR5 support instead of FP6 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

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

Ryzen 5 5500U

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 164U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (6,900 vs 8,766).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Older platform position on FP6 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 164U moves to FCBGA2551 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 164U better than Ryzen 5 5500U?

Yes. Core Ultra 7 164U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 27% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 164U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.5% 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 164U is the stronger fit. You are getting 27% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 14 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 Ultra 7 164U still makes the most sense overall. Core Ultra 7 164U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core Ultra 7 164U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA2551 and DDR5 instead of FP6, 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 14 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 7 164U vs Ryzen 5 5500U Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 7 164U

The Core Ultra 7 164U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2551. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,625 points. Launch price was $448.

Ryzen 5 5500U

The Ryzen 5 5500U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 January 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Lucienne-U (Zen 2) (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: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,736 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 7 164U packs 12 cores / 14 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5500U offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 7 164U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 164U versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500U — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 164U uses the Meteor Lake-U (2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5500U uses Lucienne-U (Zen 2) (2021) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 164U scores 12,625 against the Ryzen 5 5500U's 12,736 — a 0.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 5500U. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,766 vs 6,900 (23.8% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,131 vs 1,100, a 63.8% lead for the Core Ultra 7 164U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,973 vs 5,200 (53.2% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 164U vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5500U.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 164U	Ryzen 5 5500U
Cores / Threads	12 / 14+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+20%	4 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.1 GHz+91%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+25500%
Process	7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Meteor Lake-U (2023)	Lucienne-U (Zen 2) (2021)
PassMark	12,625	12,736
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,766+27%	6,900
Geekbench 6 Single	2,131+94%	1,100
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,973+73%	5,200

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 164U uses the FCBGA2551 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 5500U uses FP6 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5x-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 164U versus DDR4 3200 MHz on the Ryzen 5 5500U — the Core Ultra 7 164U supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 12 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Meteor Lake-U (Core Ultra 7 164U) and FP6 (Ryzen 5 5500U).

Feature	Core Ultra 7 164U	Ryzen 5 5500U
Socket	FCBGA2551	FP6
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5x-6400+100%	DDR4 3200 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 164U) vs true (Ryzen 5 5500U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Arc (Core Ultra 7 164U) and AMD Radeon Graphics (Vega 7) (Ryzen 5 5500U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 164U targets Enthusiast, Ryzen 5 5500U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 164U rivals Ryzen 7 7840U.