Core i7-1255U vs Ryzen 5 2600

CPU

GPU

Core i7-1255U

10 Cores12 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2022

Popular choices:

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Ryzen 5 2600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-1255U

10 / 12

13,128

0.0%

13,145

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

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.

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 i7-1255U

2022

Why buy it

✅+55.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while Ryzen 5 2600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,128 vs 13,145).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 2600.

Ryzen 5 2600

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-1255U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,163 vs 1,809).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i7-1255U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-1255U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-1255U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-1255U

2022

Ryzen 5 2600

2018

Why buy it

✅+55.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while Ryzen 5 2600 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-1255U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,128 vs 13,145).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 2600.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,163 vs 1,809).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i7-1255U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-1255U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-1255U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1255U better than Ryzen 5 2600?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i7-1255U is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 2600 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 2600 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 2600 is the better fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries 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 i7-1255U is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 2600 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i7-1255U is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Ryzen 5 2600 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 2600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (66.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-1255U is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of AM4. 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 i7-1255U Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 2600 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-1255U	Ryzen 5 2600
1080p
low	187 FPS	183 FPS
medium	156 FPS	157 FPS
high	130 FPS	127 FPS
ultra	106 FPS	102 FPS
1440p
low	151 FPS	152 FPS
medium	120 FPS	125 FPS
high	98 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	81 FPS	77 FPS
4K
low	85 FPS	68 FPS
medium	73 FPS	60 FPS
high	59 FPS	47 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	38 FPS

Open Core i7-1255U Open Ryzen 5 2600

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-1255U	Ryzen 5 2600
1080p
low	219 FPS	263 FPS
medium	182 FPS	227 FPS
high	164 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	144 FPS	162 FPS
1440p
low	190 FPS	236 FPS
medium	162 FPS	206 FPS
high	150 FPS	183 FPS
ultra	129 FPS	151 FPS
4K
low	148 FPS	186 FPS
medium	130 FPS	165 FPS
high	124 FPS	146 FPS
ultra	107 FPS	111 FPS

Open Core i7-1255U Open Ryzen 5 2600

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-1255U	Ryzen 5 2600
1080p
low	328 FPS	329 FPS
medium	328 FPS	329 FPS
high	328 FPS	329 FPS
ultra	328 FPS	329 FPS
1440p
low	328 FPS	329 FPS
medium	328 FPS	329 FPS
high	328 FPS	322 FPS
ultra	328 FPS	268 FPS
4K
low	328 FPS	304 FPS
medium	328 FPS	248 FPS
high	328 FPS	215 FPS
ultra	328 FPS	167 FPS

Open Core i7-1255U Open Ryzen 5 2600

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-1255U	Ryzen 5 2600
1080p
low	328 FPS	329 FPS
medium	328 FPS	329 FPS
high	328 FPS	329 FPS
ultra	328 FPS	329 FPS
1440p
low	328 FPS	329 FPS
medium	328 FPS	329 FPS
high	328 FPS	329 FPS
ultra	328 FPS	329 FPS
4K
low	328 FPS	329 FPS
medium	328 FPS	329 FPS
high	328 FPS	329 FPS
ultra	328 FPS	310 FPS

Open Core i7-1255U Open Ryzen 5 2600

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-1255U and Ryzen 5 2600

Core i7-1255U

The Core i7-1255U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,128 points. Launch price was $149.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-1255U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 2600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-1255U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-1255U versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2600 — a 18.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-1255U (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-1255U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2600 uses Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-1255U scores 13,128 against the Ryzen 5 2600's 13,145 — a 0.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 2600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,809 vs 1,163, a 43.5% lead for the Core i7-1255U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1255U vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i7-1255U	Ryzen 5 2600
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+21%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	3.4 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	3 MB+140%
Process	Intel 7 nm-42%	12 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-U (2022)	Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018)
PassMark	13,128	13,145
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	6,344
Geekbench 6 Single	1,809+56%	1,163
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	4,893

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-1255U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 2600 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-1255U versus DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen 5 2600 — the Core i7-1255U supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Alder Lake-U (Core i7-1255U) and AMD B450,AMD X470,AMD B350,AMD X370 (Ryzen 5 2600).

Feature	Core i7-1255U	Ryzen 5 2600
Socket	FCBGA1744	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+25%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 2600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1255U) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 2600). The Core i7-1255U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU), while the Ryzen 5 2600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1255U targets Mainstream Laptop, Ryzen 5 2600 targets General Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-1255U rivals Ryzen 7 6800U; Ryzen 5 2600 rivals Core i5-9400.

Feature	Core i7-1255U	Ryzen 5 2600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics 96EU	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	General Productivity