AMD Ryzen 7 9700X vs Intel Core i5-6600K
85.6Single-core29
62.4Multi-core24
67.2Gamingspec-based23.8
18 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 7 9700X0 spec wins — Intel Core i5-6600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X wins this desktop processor face-off, 70.6 to 25.4, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+57) and multi-core (+38). 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 7 9700X
- Stronger single-core score: 86 vs 29
- Stronger multi-core score: 62 vs 24
- 700% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 1 MB
- 502% higher PassMark: 38,500 vs 6,400
- 433% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 6 MB
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6600K
- Lower launch price: $242 vs $359
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2015 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1151 |
| Process | 4 nm+71% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W+29% | 91 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8+100% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 8+100% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 16+300% | 4 |
| Base clock | 3.8 GHz+9% | 3.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.5 GHz+41% | 3.9 GHz |
| L2 cache | 8 MB+700% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 32 MB+433% | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,150 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600 |
| Max memory | 192 GB+200% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,150+142%Top 12% | 1,300Bottom 19% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 16,500+393%Top 26% | 3,350Bottom 9% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,150+94%Top 17% | 1,110Bottom 17% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 19,500+381%Top 29% | 4,050Bottom 9% |
| PassMark | 38,500+502%Top 28% | 6,400Bottom 8% |
Related comparisons
AMD Ryzen 7 9700Xvs Intel Core Ultra 5 245KVSAMD Ryzen 7 9700Xvs AMD Ryzen 9 5950XVSAMD Ryzen 7 9700Xvs AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3DVSAMD Ryzen 7 9700Xvs Intel Core i9-12900KVSIntel Core i5-6600Kvs Intel Core i7-4790VSIntel Core i5-6600Kvs Intel Core i5-7500VSIntel Core i5-6600Kvs Intel Core i7-4770KVSIntel Core i5-6600Kvs Intel Core i7-4770VS