AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs Intel Core i5-6600K
23.2Single-core29
31.6Multi-core24
40.5Gamingspec-based23.8
13 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 26003 spec wins — Intel Core i5-6600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 5 2600 wins this desktop processor face-off, 31.3 to 25.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+8). Intel Core i5-6600K 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 24
- 200% higher threads: 12 vs 4
- 200% higher L2 cache: 3 MB vs 1 MB
- 167% higher L3 cache: 16 MB vs 6 MB
- 109% higher PassMark: 13,400 vs 6,400
- Lower launch price: $199 vs $242
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6600K
- Stronger single-core score: 29 vs 23
- 14% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,300 vs 1,140
- 13% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,110 vs 980
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018 | 2015 |
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1151 |
| Process | 12 nm+14% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W+29% | 91 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6+50% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 6+50% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12+200% | 4 |
| Base clock | 3.4 GHz | 3.5 GHz+3% |
| Boost clock | 3.9 GHz | 3.9 GHz |
| L2 cache | 3 MB+200% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 16 MB+167% | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,150 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24+50% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,140Bottom 10% | 1,300+14%Bottom 19% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 5,300+58%Bottom 25% | 3,350Bottom 9% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 980Bottom 9% | 1,110+13%Bottom 17% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 7,400+83%Bottom 24% | 4,050Bottom 9% |
| PassMark | 13,400+109%Bottom 22% | 6,400Bottom 8% |
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