Ryzen 5 2600 vs Core i5-10500
Ryzen 5 2600
Core i5-10500
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 2600
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10500
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 2600 | Core i5-10500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($145) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($178) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) / 12 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 2600 | Core i5-10500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+23%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($145) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($178) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 2600 and Core i5-10500
Ryzen 5 2600
The Ryzen 5 2600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,145 points. Launch price was $199.
Core i5-10500
The Core i5-10500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,067 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
Both the Ryzen 5 2600 and Core i5-10500 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2600 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-10500 — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-10500 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen 5 2600 uses the Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) architecture (12 nm), while the Core i5-10500 uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 2600 scores 13,145 against the Core i5-10500's 13,067 — a 0.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 2600. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2600 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10500.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 2600 | Core i5-10500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz | 4.5 GHz+15% |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz+10% | 3.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total)+33% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+1100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 12 nm-14% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 13,145 | 13,067 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 6,344 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,163 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 4,893 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 2600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-10500 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2933 memory speed. The Core i5-10500 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Ryzen 5 2600) vs 16 (Core i5-10500) — the Ryzen 5 2600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 2600 | Core i5-10500 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2933 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 2600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: Yes (Ryzen 5 2600) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10500). The Core i5-10500 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 2600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 2600 targets General Productivity, Core i5-10500 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 2600 rivals Core i5-9400.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 2600 | Core i5-10500 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | General Productivity | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 5 2600 launched at $199 MSRP, while the Core i5-10500 debuted at $200. At current prices ($145 vs $178), the Ryzen 5 2600 is $33 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 2600 delivers 90.7 pts/$ vs 73.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10500 — making the Ryzen 5 2600 the 21% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 2600 | Core i5-10500 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199 | $200 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $145-19% | $178 |
| Performance per Dollar | 90.7+24% | 73.4 |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2020 |
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