Core Ultra 7 258V vs Ryzen 5 5500

CPU

GPU

Core Ultra 7 258V

8 Cores8 Thrd17 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2024

Core Ultra family

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Ryzen 5 5500

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Core Ultra 7 258V vs Ryzen 5 5500 Performance Spectrum

Core Ultra 7 258V

8 / 8

18,947

0.0%

19,311

+1.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

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 258V vs Ryzen 5 5500 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 258V vs Ryzen 5 5500: 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 258V

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 17W instead of 65W, a 48W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Arc 140V, while Ryzen 5 5500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (18,947 vs 19,311).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.1 vs 121.5 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $159 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5500

2022

Why buy it

✅+1.9% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $291 less on MSRP ($159 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅Delivers 188.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 121.5 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($159 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅200% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 258V across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌282.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 17W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 258V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 258V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 258V better than Ryzen 5 5500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 7 258V is ahead with a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 5500 pulls ahead with 1.9% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 5500 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 5 5500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 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 Ultra 7 258V is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 7 258V comes in 183.0% more expensive on MSRP at $450 MSRP versus $159 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 5500 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.9% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 5500 is also 188.5% better value on MSRP (121.5 vs 42.1 PassMark/$), 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 258V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 7 258V vs Ryzen 5 5500 Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 7 258V

The Core Ultra 7 258V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,947 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 5 5500

The Ryzen 5 5500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 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: 19,311 points. Launch price was $159.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 7 258V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5500 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 7 258V has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 258V versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 258V (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 258V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 258V scores 18,947 against the Ryzen 5 5500's 19,311 — a 1.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 5500. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 258V vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 5500.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 258V	Ryzen 5 5500
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+14%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+64%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB+33%
L2 Cache	2.5 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+20380%
Process	3 nm-57%	7 nm
Architecture	Lunar Lake (2024)	Cezanne (2021−2025)
PassMark	18,947	19,311+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,750	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,000	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 258V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5X-8533 on the Core Ultra 7 258V versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5500 — the Core Ultra 7 258V supports 166.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5500 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Core Ultra 7 258V) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5500) — the Ryzen 5 5500 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Lunar Lake (Core Ultra 7 258V) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series (Ryzen 5 5500).

Feature	Core Ultra 7 258V	Ryzen 5 5500
Socket	FCBGA2833	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5X-8533+167%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	128 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	24+200%

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5500 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 258V) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5500). The Core Ultra 7 258V includes integrated graphics (Arc 140V), while the Ryzen 5 5500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 258V targets Gaming, Ryzen 5 5500 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 258V rivals Ryzen 7 8840U.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 258V	Ryzen 5 5500
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Arc 140V	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 7 258V was priced at $450, while the Ryzen 5 5500 came in at $159. On launch pricing ($450 vs $159), Ryzen 5 5500 was $291 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 7 258V delivers 42.1 pts/$ vs 121.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5500 — making the Ryzen 5 5500 the 97% better value option.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 258V	Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP	$450	$159-65%
Performance per Dollar	42.1	121.5+189%
Release Date	2024	2022

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