AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs Intel Core i7-5960X
23.2Single-core20.5
31.6Multi-core34.1
40.5Gaming43.4
9 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 26009 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X
InnoReviews verdict
This one is close to a dead heat: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 scores 31.3 against 32.3 for Intel Core i7-5960X. Pick by the categories that matter to you — Intel Core i7-5960X edges ahead in gaming and Multi-core, or by price.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- 54% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 140 W
- 50% higher L2 cache: 3 MB vs 2 MB
- 45% lower process: 12 nm vs 22 nm
- 13% higher Base clock: 3.4 GHz vs 3 GHz
- 13% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 980 vs 870
- Lower launch price: $199 vs $999
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-5960X
- 100% higher Memory channels: 4 vs 2
- 67% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 24
- 33% higher cores: 8 vs 6
- 33% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 6
- 33% higher threads: 16 vs 12
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018 | 2014 |
| Socket | AM4 | LGA2011-v3 |
| Process | 12 nm+45% | 22 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W+54% | 140 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12 | 16+33% |
| Base clock | 3.4 GHz+13% | 3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.9 GHz+11% | 3.5 GHz |
| L2 cache | 3 MB+50% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 16 MB | 20 MB+25% |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2933 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 4+100% |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 40+67% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,140+11% | 1,030 |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 5,300 | 6,100+15% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 980+13% | 870 |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 7,400 | 8,300+12% |
| PassMark | 13,400 | 15,800+18% |
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