AMD Ryzen 9 7950X vs Intel Core i5-8600K
78.6Single-core34.5
92.9Multi-core30
85.2Gaming29.1
18 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 7950X1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-8600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 86.7 to 31.1, pulling ahead mainly in Multi-core (+63) and gaming (+56). Intel Core i5-8600K 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 35
- Stronger Multi-core score: 93 vs 30
- Stronger gaming score: 85 vs 29
- 967% higher L2 cache: 16 MB vs 2 MB
- 611% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 9 MB
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-8600K
- 44% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 170 W
- Lower launch price: $257 vs $699
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2017 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1151-v2 |
| Process | 5 nm+64% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 170 W | 95 W+44% |
| Max turbo power | 230 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+167% | 6 |
| Performance cores | 16+167% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 32+433% | 6 |
| Base clock | 4.5 GHz+25% | 3.6 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.7 GHz+33% | 4.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 16 MB+967% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+611% | 9 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz+91% | 1,150 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5200 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,920+97%Top 11% | 1,480Top 69% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,000+289%Top 4% | 5,400Top 71% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,020+67%Top 15% | 1,210Top 71% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 38,000+459%Top 6% | 6,800Top 73% |
| PassMark | 62,500+490%Top 4% | 10,600Top 77% |
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