- Intel places seven CPUs in PassMark’s top ten price performance rankings
- AMD only leads through discounted Ryzen 5 approval posts
- Value favors Intel across commonly available desktop CPUs
Intel dominates the top end of PassMark’s price performance rankings in a way that would have seemed unlikely just a few years ago. Looking at the current leaderboard, Intel places seven CPUs in the top ten when performance is measured against price.
AMD holds the top two spots, but don’t be fooled. One comes from an entry-level Ryzen 5 that’s benefiting from sale prices, while the other is an EPYC part listed at prices likely sourced from used or refurbished markets rather than new retail.
Ryzen 5’s position reflects its low price rather than performance that rivals AMD’s newer mid-range or high-end desktop CPUs.
Intel favored across a wide spread of price points
Intel’s representation across the top ten is more consistent, with a mix of Core Ultra and older Core processors that are tightly clustered in price efficiency without relying on clearance-level discounts.
It creates a ranking where Intel does well across a wide range of price points rather than via a few isolated good deals.
Further down the table, AMD’s desktop CPUs with higher core counts fall behind in terms of price performance, as their stronger raw scores don’t translate into better value once price is factored in.
Outside of the discounted items near the top, much of AMD’s mainstream desktop lineup trails Intel on performance per dollar.
This matters because PassMark’s chart mixes current retail CPUs with retail price and non-standard listings, meaning that not all high-ranking positions reflect what buyers will see when shopping for new parts.
Still, the overall pattern remains clear, with Intel filling most of the highest value positions using CPUs that are current and widely available.
AMD’s strongest value showings come from older or discounted products rather than the latest releases, limiting how broadly these results apply to new system builds.
For buyers who focus on performance per dollar, PassMark’s data points to Intel offering more predictable value across its lineup.
AMD still competes at the very top and in specific discounted cases, but the balance of everyday value now tilts heavily in Team Blue’s favor.
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