Core Ultra 9 285 vs Ryzen 5 5600

Intel

Core Ultra 9 285

24 Cores24 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.5 GHz2025
Core Ultra family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Ryzen family
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Core Ultra 9 285 vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 9 285 vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 9 285 vs Ryzen 5 5600: 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 9 285

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +27.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Newer platform on LGA1851 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Arc Graphics, while Ryzen 5 5600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 97.5 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($589 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

  • Costs $390 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $589 MSRP).
  • Delivers 11.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 97.5 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $589 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Core Ultra 9 285.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 9 285 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 40,000).
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 9 285 moves to LGA1851 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 9 285 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 9 285 better than Ryzen 5 5600?
Yes. Core Ultra 9 285 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 27.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 261.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 166.6% 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 9 285 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 27.5% 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 9 285 is the stronger fit. You are getting 261.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 24 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core Ultra 9 285 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 9 285 comes in 196.0% more expensive on MSRP at $589 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 27.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600 is also 11.0% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 97.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 5600 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core Ultra 9 285 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022), a healthier platform with LGA1851 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 24 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 9 285 vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core Ultra 9 285

The Core Ultra 9 285 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2025 (recentemente). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 24 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 57,442 points. Launch price was $579.

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 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: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 9 285 packs 24 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 9 285 has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 285 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 285 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core Ultra 9 285 uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 9 285 scores 57,442 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 90.9% lead for the Core Ultra 9 285. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 40,000 vs 11,077 (113.3% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 285). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,000 vs 2,052, a 37.5% lead for the Core Ultra 9 285 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 20,000 vs 8,600 (79.7% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 285). L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 285 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureCore Ultra 9 285Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads
24 / 24+300%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
5.5 GHz+25%
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.5 GHz+40%
L3 Cache
36 MB (total)+13%
32 MB (total)
L2 Cache
3 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+16967%
Process
3 nm-57%
7 nm
Architecture
Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark
57,442+167%
21,550
Cinebench R23 Multi
40,000+261%
11,077
Geekbench 6 Single
3,000+46%
2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi
20,000+133%
8,600
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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 9 285 uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 9 285 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Core Ultra 9 285 supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 9 285 supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 24 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 800 Series (Core Ultra 9 285) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

FeatureCore Ultra 9 285Ryzen 5 5600
Socket
LGA1851
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-6400+100%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB+50%
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: Yes (Core Ultra 9 285) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). The Core Ultra 9 285 includes integrated graphics (Arc Graphics), while the Ryzen 5 5600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 9 285 targets High-End Gaming, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

FeatureCore Ultra 9 285Ryzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Arc Graphics
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
Yes
AMD-V
Target Use
High-End Gaming
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 9 285 was priced at $589, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($589 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $390 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 9 285 delivers 97.5 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 10.5% better value option.

FeatureCore Ultra 9 285Ryzen 5 5600
MSRP
$589
$199-66%
Performance per Dollar
97.5
108.3+11%
Release Date
2025
2022

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