Ryzen 5 vs Intel i5 Comparison Guide for Your CPU Purchase
Last updated on September 13th, 2023 at 12:27 am
Everyone wants a seamless workflow, and modern-day CPUs bring that to you with their improvements and specifications to match your tasks. The Ryzen 5 and Intel i5 CPUs are two options when considering mid to high-grade performance for your PC build. So, why should you pick one among these two dominators of the CPU market when building your PC?
The Ryzen 5 and Intel i5 CPUs have one major difference that sets them apart, which is their performance on threaded tasks. Intel i5 handles single-threaded tasks better than its counterpart, while Ryzen 5 dominates in multi-threaded tasking performance in all aspects.
However, there is much more information to note when comparing these two CPU options to aid your purchase decision. So let’s unravel the points to help you make a decision tailored to your tasks and budget.
Overview of the Ryzen 5 CPU
The Ryzen 5 is a creation of the AMD company and stands in the mid-grade category with the performance and pricing that it brings. It stands in between the Ryzen 3 and 7 and gives you a balance between the features that these two offer you.
Ryzen 5 doesn’t get its balance and mid-grade rank from performance alone but also from its pricing, which varies between available variants.
Its dominance lies in its multithreading capabilities, helping you complete several complex and heavy tasks simultaneously and fast. Let us check out the technical details for the CPU specification and features below for PC builders.
Ryzen 5 Specifications and Features
You get cores ranging between 4 to 6, with threads staying between 8 to 12, but it’s highly dependent on the variant you purchase. These two features determine how high the performance in handling multi-threaded tasks goes to giving you the results you need for complex operations. Its thermal power is designed to stay between 65W and 95W, which means less temperature than you would expect for that power rating.
The CPU comes with an unlocked feature to aid with overclocking, which improves performance based on your preference. You enjoy a base clock speed that stands between 3.6GHz and 3.9GHz, with boosts going up to 4.6GHz. The overclocking feature supports gaming and other heavy operations like video editing to give you a smooth experience.
Related Article: Ryzen 5 vs Ryzen 7
Pros and Cons of Ryzen 5
The Ryzen 5 processor is great and gives you great performance and benefits, but it also has its fair share of cons to note. Below are the pros and cons of the Ryzen 5 CPU to match the overview and help you approach your purchase better:
Pros
- Overclock Capabilities
- High Multi-thread performance
- Efficient Power Usage
- Budget Friendly
Cons
- Lower Single-Thread capabilities
- Compatibility issues with certain memory types
- Fewer motherboard options
- No integrated graphics
You should also read: What is AMD Ryzen?
Overview of the Intel i5 CPU
The Intel i5 CPU is the mid-grade counterpart of the Ryzen 5 that the Intel brand offers to satisfy your computational needs. It also stands in between the i3 and i7 processors to show its balance between the high and low tiers, similar to Ryzen CPU options.
Intel i5 dominates the single threading performance charts as it gives you the best experience to handle organized tasks in prioritized orders. It gives you great results for simple tasks and pushes you to handle tasks that are a bit more complex by pushing their limits. Let’s breeze through the features and specifications that this CPU brings forward to satisfy your tasks and give you great results.
Intel i5 Specifications and Features
The intel CPU brings forward 4 to 6 cores and provides a thread count between 8 to 12, which also varies depending on the model. It comes with integrated graphics allowing you to enjoy average graphics demands without a dedicated graphics card.
Overclocking isn’t common with intel CPUs, but newer models have started supporting it to improve your experience and performance. Its thermal design for power ranges between 35W to 95W, making it create less heat and consume less power than high-tier processors.
You also get a base clock speed that ranges between 2.9GHz to 3.7GHz and goes up to 4.9GHz when boosted. However, the boost is only implemented in some models, which are mostly the newer releases of the intel i5 CPU.
Pros and Cons of Intel i5
The Intel i5 processor pushes to satisfy your single-threading needs, but it’s not almighty, as it has its setbacks. We bring you the pros and cons of the Intel i5 CPU below to show you what it offers and what it doesn’t compare to several computing needs:
Pros
- Wide range of motherboard
- Better support for memory
- High single-thread performance
- Efficient Power Usage unlike high-tier CPUs
- Possesses integrated graphics
Cons
- Lower multi-thread capabilities
- More expensive to purchase
- Generates more heat and power consumption
- The overclocking feature is limited to newer models
Intel i5 and Ryzen 5 Differences to Note
The Ryzen 5 and Intel i5 CPUs are great options to purchase, but they give you better results depending on your needs. This brings a difference between them, from their specifications and features to the cost of getting them on the market. Matching the differences helps you tailor your purchase decision to match your needs and get the best out of your purchase. So here are the differences between these two processors that you should note before you select that CPU for purchase:
Performance
Both CPUs give you great performance but in different ways and for different things, especially how they target threading demands. The Ryzen 5 is more suited to handle multi-threading-based tasks, while the intel i5 serves you better for single-threading operations.
Pricing
Purchasing the intel i5 CPU is more expensive compared to the Ryzen 5 counterpart when considering what they both offer. So getting the Ryzen 5 is more budget-friendly, but you can go for the intel i5 if your finances accommodate it.
Base And Boosted Clock Speeds
The base and boosted speeds that both CPUs bring are also different, as Ryzen 5 offers you a base clock speed between 3.6GHz to 3.9GHz. However, the intel i5 offers a broader margin for its base clock speed between 2.9GHz and 3.7GHz. Ryzen 5 takes its boosted clock speed to 4.6GHz with its overclocking capabilities, while Intel i5 peaks at 4.9GHz with its clock speed boost.
Power Consumption And Temperature
The thermal design of both works differently, as Ryzen consumes less power and generates less heat than its competitor. Intel i5, on the other hand, tends to generate more heat and consume more power proportional to the performance it brings.
Graphic Demand Satisfaction
Ryzen 5 doesn’t have integrated graphics attached, so you will need to consider a dedicated graphics card when selecting it. However, the Intel i5 CPU comes with integrated graphics, which allows you to meet the average graphical demands. However, you will need to consider a dedicated graphics memory if the demands go higher than average, especially for gaming.
Overclocking
The Ryzen 5 is commonly known for its overclocking support, which gives it a performance boost to take its clock speed higher. Intel i5 recently joined the overclocking support bandwagon, but you can only get it with newer models. So if you are planning to get a CPU with overclocking support at a budget-friendly cost, then intel isn’t your option.
Memory Support And Motherboard Options
Lastly, the Intel i5 holds a broader selection of motherboards compared to the Ryzen 5 limited selection base. You might also experience some issues with memory compatibility when using the Ryzen 5 as it offers a lower memory matchup, unlike the Intel i5.
If you want to see the full comparison of AMD and Intel CPUs as a whole click here.
Final Thoughts
It’s complete! The comparison between the Ryzen 5 and Intel i5 CPU to guide you through making your processor purchase. Both are great components in their own right, but you need one that matches your needs and finances in the best way.
So pick out your operations and match them to the differences, features, and specifications above. Do let us know how our guide has helped you make your purchase decision and the results you are currently enjoying.
If you are still not sure what CPU is right for you, then you should check out “Choosing the Right Processor Guide.”
Also Read:
What’s The Difference Between Intel i5 and Intel i7
Ryzen 3 vs Intel i3 – Best Processor To Consider For Your PC
