Core i5-2500K vs Ryzen 3 1200: CPU comparison

Performance score

Core i5-2500K 2011 · 4/4 cores/threads, 95 W

12.61

Ryzen 3 1200 2017 · 4/4 cores/threads, 65 W

13.14 +4%

Core i3-12100F Core i5-12400F Ryzen 5 7500F Ryzen 7 7800X3D Ryzen 7 9800X3D Core Ultra 7 265K Core i9-14900K Ryzen 9 9950X

By our estimate, Ryzen 3 1200 beats Core i5-2500K by 4%.

Different sockets (LGA1155 and AM4) — switching between them needs a different motherboard.

The score is our own estimate from the specs (cores, threads, clocks, architecture generation), not a benchmark run. 100 = the fastest CPU in our database.

Real tests

What the test measures

Blender is a popular free 3D graphics program. The test makes the device render three ready-made 3D scenes (light, shadows, reflections) and counts how many render passes it finishes per minute. The higher the number, the faster the device handles heavy work: 3D, video editing, photo processing. On a CPU the test loads all cores at once, so it shows the chip's full power; on a graphics card it shows its compute strength.

CPU rendering (Blender)

Core i5-2500K

27

faster than 6% of tested · runs: 3

Ryzen 3 1200

40+48 %

faster than 19% of tested · runs: 5

Median of real test runs on users' computers. It does not show FPS in games. Data updated: 31.10.2026.

Overview

	Core i5-2500K	Ryzen 3 1200
Score (0–100)	12.61	13.14
Ranking position	498	491
Power efficiency (0–100)	6.94	10.56
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Manufacturer	Intel	AMD
Architecture	Sandy Bridge	Zen (Summit Ridge)
Release date	Q1 2011	2017-07-27

Specifications

	Core i5-2500K	Ryzen 3 1200
Cores	4	4
Threads	4	4
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.1 GHz
Boost clock	3.7 GHz	3.4 GHz
L2 cache	no data	2 MB
L3 cache	6 MB	8 MB
Process node	32 nm	14 nm
Unlocked multiplier	yes	yes
Integrated graphics	Intel HD Graphics 3000	no
NPU (AI accelerator)	no	no

Compatibility

	Core i5-2500K	Ryzen 3 1200
Socket	LGA1155	AM4
TDP	95 W	65 W

Memory and PCI Express

	Core i5-2500K	Ryzen 3 1200
Memory type	DDR3-1066/1333	DDR4-2667
Memory channels	2	2
Max memory	32 GB	no data
PCI Express version	2.0	3.0
PCIe lanes	16	no data

Pros and cons

Core i5-2500K

has integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000)

Ryzen 3 1200

4% higher overall score
4% faster single core
bigger L3 cache: 8 MB vs 6 MB
lower TDP: 65 W vs 95 W
newer: released in 2017

Other comparisons

Visitor rating

Questions and comments

Share your experience, ask a question or tell us about a mistake on this page: Core i5-2500K / Ryzen 3 1200.

No comments yet — be the first.