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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core Ultra 7 255HX

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.9% higher average FPS across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2114 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Xe-LPG, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 7 255HX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255HX across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,898 vs 16,885).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 255HX moves to FCBGA2114 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 7 255HX

2025

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.9% higher average FPS across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2114 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Xe-LPG, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 7 255HX.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255HX across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,898 vs 16,885).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 255HX moves to FCBGA2114 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 255HX better than Ryzen 5 3600?

Yes. Core Ultra 7 255HX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 19.9% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data, 789.6% better Geekbench multi-core, 181.4% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 7 255HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 19.9% more average FPS across 43 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 255HX is the better fit. You are getting 789.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 20 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core Ultra 7 255HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core Ultra 7 255HX is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it gives you a 19.9% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Core Ultra 7 255HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA2114 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 20 threads instead of 6/12. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core Ultra 7 255HX Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 3600 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Ryzen 5 3600
1080p
low	280 FPS	200 FPS
medium	272 FPS	161 FPS
high	228 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	191 FPS	106 FPS
1440p
low	225 FPS	154 FPS
medium	193 FPS	119 FPS
high	156 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	135 FPS	75 FPS
4K
low	151 FPS	70 FPS
medium	129 FPS	58 FPS
high	99 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core Ultra 7 255HX Open Ryzen 5 3600

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Ryzen 5 3600
1080p
low	673 FPS	442 FPS
medium	574 FPS	404 FPS
high	483 FPS	332 FPS
ultra	438 FPS	295 FPS
1440p
low	584 FPS	420 FPS
medium	515 FPS	359 FPS
high	434 FPS	303 FPS
ultra	370 FPS	263 FPS
4K
low	345 FPS	297 FPS
medium	310 FPS	259 FPS
high	292 FPS	230 FPS
ultra	254 FPS	201 FPS

Open Core Ultra 7 255HX Open Ryzen 5 3600

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Ryzen 5 3600
1080p
low	839 FPS	442 FPS
medium	685 FPS	442 FPS
high	610 FPS	442 FPS
ultra	522 FPS	442 FPS
1440p
low	727 FPS	442 FPS
medium	596 FPS	442 FPS
high	519 FPS	442 FPS
ultra	441 FPS	432 FPS
4K
low	515 FPS	442 FPS
medium	434 FPS	361 FPS
high	394 FPS	305 FPS
ultra	336 FPS	242 FPS

Open Core Ultra 7 255HX Open Ryzen 5 3600

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Ryzen 5 3600
1080p
low	995 FPS	442 FPS
medium	901 FPS	442 FPS
high	782 FPS	442 FPS
ultra	709 FPS	442 FPS
1440p
low	814 FPS	442 FPS
medium	724 FPS	442 FPS
high	627 FPS	442 FPS
ultra	555 FPS	442 FPS
4K
low	555 FPS	442 FPS
medium	501 FPS	442 FPS
high	449 FPS	413 FPS
ultra	396 FPS	357 FPS

Open Core Ultra 7 255HX Open Ryzen 5 3600

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 7 255HX and Ryzen 5 3600

Core Ultra 7 255HX

The Core Ultra 7 255HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2025-01-01. It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 49,765 points. Launch price was $450.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 7 255HX packs 20 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 7 255HX has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255HX versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 21.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255HX (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 255HX scores 49,765 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 95.1% lead for the Core Ultra 7 255HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,923 vs 1,295, a 77.2% lead for the Core Ultra 7 255HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 16,885 vs 1,898 (159.6% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255HX). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 255HX vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	20 / 20+233%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+24%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+7%
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)+500%	512K (per core)
Process	3 nm-57%	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-HX (2025)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	49,765+181%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	2,923+126%	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	16,885+790%	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the FCBGA2114 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 255HX versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Core Ultra 7 255HX supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 7 255HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 24 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM870,Intel WM880 (Core Ultra 7 255HX) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	FCBGA2114	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	24	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core Ultra 7 255HX) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Core Ultra 7 255HX includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Xe-LPG), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 255HX rivals Ryzen 9 9850HX; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.