AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs Intel Core i5-6500
23.2Single-core25.6
31.6Multi-core22.9
40.5Gaming21.9
14 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 26001 spec wins — Intel Core i5-6500
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 5 2600 wins this desktop processor face-off, 31.3 to 23.5, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+19) and Multi-core (+9). Intel Core i5-6500 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Stronger Multi-core score: 32 vs 23
- Stronger gaming score: 41 vs 22
- 200% higher threads: 12 vs 4
- 200% higher L2 cache: 3 MB vs 1 MB
- 167% higher L3 cache: 16 MB vs 6 MB
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6500
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018 | 2015 |
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1151 |
| Process | 12 nm+14% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W | 65 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | Yes | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6+50% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 6+50% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12+200% | 4 |
| Base clock | 3.4 GHz+6% | 3.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.9 GHz+8% | 3.6 GHz |
| L2 cache | 3 MB+200% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 16 MB+167% | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,050 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2933 | DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24+50% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,140Top 90% | 1,180+4%Top 85% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 5,300+74%Top 72% | 3,050Top 92% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 980Top 88% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 7,400+111%Top 72% | 3,500Top 95% |
| PassMark | 13,400+139%Top 69% | 5,600Top 95% |
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