AMD Ryzen 9 7950X vs Intel Core i5-6600K
78.6Single-core29
92.9Multi-core24
85.2Gamingspec-based23.8
17 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 7950X1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-6600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 86.7 to 25.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+69) and single-core (+50). 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 9 7950X
- Stronger single-core score: 79 vs 29
- Stronger multi-core score: 93 vs 24
- 1500% higher L2 cache: 16 MB vs 1 MB
- 967% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 6 MB
- 877% higher PassMark: 62,500 vs 6,400
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6600K
- 46% lower Base TDP: 91 W vs 170 W
- Lower launch price: $242 vs $699
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2015 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1151 |
| Process | 5 nm+64% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 170 W | 91 W+46% |
| Max turbo power | 230 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+300% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 16+300% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 32+700% | 4 |
| Base clock | 4.5 GHz+29% | 3.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.7 GHz+46% | 3.9 GHz |
| L2 cache | 16 MB+1500% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+967% | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X | 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 9 7950X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5200 | DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,920+125%Top 25% | 1,300Bottom 19% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,000+527%Top 7% | 3,350Bottom 9% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,020+82%Top 24% | 1,110Bottom 17% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 38,000+838%Top 9% | 4,050Bottom 9% |
| PassMark | 62,500+877%Top 6% | 6,400Bottom 8% |
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