AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core i5-6500
90.1Single-core25.6
83.6Multi-core22.9
84.6Gamingspec-based21.9
17 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9900X2 spec wins — Intel Core i5-6500
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 85.8 to 23.5, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+65) and multi-core (+61). Intel Core i5-6500 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 9900X
- Stronger single-core score: 90 vs 26
- Stronger multi-core score: 84 vs 23
- 1100% higher L2 cache: 12 MB vs 1 MB
- 967% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 6 MB
- 891% higher PassMark: 55,500 vs 5,600
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6500
- 46% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 120 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $192 vs $499
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2015 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1151 |
| Process | 4 nm+71% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 120 W | 65 W+46% |
| Max turbo power | 162 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+200% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 12+200% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 24+500% | 4 |
| Base clock | 4.4 GHz+38% | 3.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.6 GHz+56% | 3.6 GHz |
| L2 cache | 12 MB+1100% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+967% | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,050 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600 |
| Max memory | 192 GB+200% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,300+180%Top 7% | 1,180Bottom 13% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 19,800+549%Top 15% | 3,050Bottom 8% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,230Top 11% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 32,000+814%Top 14% | 3,500Bottom 4% |
| PassMark | 55,500+891%Top 13% | 5,600Bottom 4% |
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