AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core i5-6600K
86.9Single-core29
65.6Multi-core24
94.4Gamingspec-based23.8
15 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-6600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins this desktop processor face-off, 79.2 to 25.4, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+58) and multi-core (+42). 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 9850X3D
- Stronger single-core score: 87 vs 29
- Stronger multi-core score: 66 vs 24
- 1500% higher L3 cache: 96 MB vs 6 MB
- 700% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 1 MB
- 545% higher PassMark: 41,305 vs 6,400
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6600K
- 24% lower Base TDP: 91 W vs 120 W
- Lower launch price: $242 vs $499
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026+1% | 2015 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1151 |
| Process | 4 nm+71% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 120 W | 91 W+24% |
| Max turbo power | 162 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8+100% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 8+100% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 16+300% | 4 |
| Base clock | 4.7 GHz+34% | 3.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.6 GHz+44% | 3.9 GHz |
| L2 cache | 8 MB+700% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 96 MB+1500% | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | 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 9850X3D | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+300% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24+50% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 1,300Bottom 19% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 3,350Bottom 9% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,221+100%Top 12% | 1,110Bottom 18% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 23,204+473%Top 25% | 4,050Bottom 10% |
| PassMark | 41,305+545%Top 24% | 6,400Bottom 8% |
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