Intel Core i5-2500K vs AMD Ryzen 5 1500X
The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 6%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | Intel Core i5-2500K | AMD Ryzen 5 1500X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 34/100 | 36/100 |
| Tier | D | D |
| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |
| Cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 4 | 8 |
| Base clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 95 W | 65 W |
| Release year | 2011 | 2017 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X is the better buy — it holds a 6% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X runs 30W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.