AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core i5-6500
93.2Single-core25.6
98.7Multi-core22.9
95Gamingspec-based21.9
17 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 spec wins — Intel Core i5-6500
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins this desktop processor face-off, 96.1 to 23.5, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+76) and single-core (+68). 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 9950X3D
- Stronger single-core score: 93 vs 26
- Stronger multi-core score: 99 vs 23
- 2033% higher L3 cache: 128 MB vs 6 MB
- 1500% higher L2 cache: 16 MB vs 1 MB
- 1152% higher PassMark: 70,094 vs 5,600
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6500
- 62% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 170 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $192 vs $699
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025 | 2015 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1151 |
| Process | 4 nm+71% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 170 W | 65 W+62% |
| Max turbo power | 230 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+300% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 16+300% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 32+700% | 4 |
| Base clock | 4.3 GHz+34% | 3.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.7 GHz+58% | 3.6 GHz |
| L2 cache | 16 MB+1500% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 128 MB+2033% | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | 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 9950X3D | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+300% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,434+191%Top 1% | 1,180Bottom 13% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 22,405+635%Top 4% | 3,050Bottom 8% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,259Top 8% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 42,018+1101%Top 4% | 3,500Bottom 4% |
| PassMark | 70,094+1152%Top 2% | 5,600Bottom 4% |
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