Core i5-6500 vs Ryzen 3 1200: which is better

Intel Core i5-6500 (desktop, 2015) against AMD Ryzen 3 1200 (desktop, 2017): benchmarks, games, specs and current prices.

Key differences

Ryzen 3 1200 is 12% faster in multi-threaded work (PassMark 6,271 vs 5,597).
Core i5-6500 is 8% faster per core.
Core i5-6500 is $29 cheaper ($55 vs $84).
Core i5-6500 gives 37% more performance per dollar.
Different sockets (LGA1151 and AM4): they need different motherboards.

Open the full duel

	Core i5-6500	Ryzen 3 1200
Overall score	7.8	8.7
PassMark CPU Mark	5,597	6,271
Single-thread rating	2,087	1,926
US price	from $55	from $84
Cores	4	4
Threads	4	4
Base clock	3.2 GHz	3.1 GHz
Max boost	3.6 GHz	3.4 GHz
L3 cache	6 MB	8 MB
TDP	65 W	65 W
Max power	65 W	88 W
Memory	DDR4 / DDR3L	DDR4
Memory speed	2133 MT/s	2666 MT/s
PCI Express	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
Process	14 nm (Intel)	14 nm (GlobalFoundries)
Architecture	Skylake	Zen
Series	6th Gen Core	Ryzen 1000
Release year	2015	2017
Integrated graphics	HD Graphics 530	none

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