AMD Ryzen 9 3900 vs Intel Core i5-6600K

VS
Performance
Ryzen 9 3900117% better
16,80345% of 36,991
Core i5-6600K
7,75421% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 3900 has 117% better performance than the Core i5-6600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Ryzen 9 39005% better
33.6728% of 121.53
Core i5-6600K
32.0426% of 121.53

The Ryzen 9 3900 has 5% better value for the money than the Core i5-6600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

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About the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 CPU

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 is a 12-core (24-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q3 2019 with a suggested retail price of $499. It is part of AMD's Ryzen 9 lineup, which is based on the Zen 2 microarchitecture. The 3900 is compatible with AMD Socket AM4 motherboards and is fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Ryzen 9 3900 supports DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Ryzen 9 3900 has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 512 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 64 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Ryzen 9 3900 features 12 total cores which can process 24 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.1 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.3 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Ryzen 9 3900 does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Ryzen 9 3900 has the 107th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 45.42% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 16,803 score and $499 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 33.67. This is the 108th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i5-6600K CPU

The Intel Core i5-6600K is an end-of-life 4-core (4-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q3 2015 with a suggested retail price of $242. It is part of Intel's Core i5 lineup, which is based on the Skylake microarchitecture. The i5-6600K is compatible with Intel Socket 1151 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process. It features the HD Graphics 530 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i5-6600K supports DDR3, DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i5-6600K has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 6 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i5-6600K features 4 total cores which can process 4 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.5 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.9 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i5-6600K includes an integrated graphics solution called HD Graphics 530. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i5-6600K has the 322nd best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 20.96% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 7,754 score and $242 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 32.04. This is the 113th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoRyzen 9 3900Core i5-6600K
ManufacturerAMDIntel
SeriesRyzen 9Core i5
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ3 2019Q3 2015
Launch Price (MSRP)$499$242
Production StatusActiveEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Ryzen 9 3900117% better
16,80345% of 36,991
Core i5-6600K
7,75421% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 3900 has 117% better performance than the Core i5-6600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Ryzen 9 3900 is ranked 107th with a score of 16,803, and the Core i5-6600K is ranked 322nd with a score of 7,754.

Performance per dollar
Ryzen 9 39005% better
33.6728% of 121.53
Core i5-6600K
32.0426% of 121.53

The Ryzen 9 3900 has 5% better value for the money than the Core i5-6600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Ryzen 9 3900 is ranked 108th with a performance per dollar of 33.67, and the Core i5-6600K is ranked 113th with a performance per dollar of 32.04.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Ryzen 9 3900 or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i7-11700K17,324+3%
Core i9-9900K17,264+3%
Ryzen 9 390016,803
Ryzen 5 5600G16,538-2%
Core i7-6950X16,403-2%
Core i7-5700HQ8,081.5-52%
Core i5-85007,942-53%
Core i5-6600K7,754-54%
Ryzen 5 14007,363.5-56%
Core i5-11400T7,319-56%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Ryzen 9 3900 or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i9-9900KS36.44+8%
Core i9-9900K35.38+5%
Ryzen 9 390033.67
Core i7-6700K33.12-2%
Core i9-11900KB33.03-2%
Core i7-670032.45-4%
Core i5-6600K32.04-5%
Core i7-4790K31.1-8%
Core i5-2500K30.42-10%
Ryzen 9 3950X28.06-17%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkRyzen 9 3900Core i5-6600K
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
16,803
(+116.7%)
7,754
3DMark Time Spy CPU
10,725
--
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
2,804
(+366.17%)
601.5
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
197
(+18.67%)
166
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
9,527
(+135.58%)
4,044
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
1,652
(+15.28%)
1,433
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
30,822
(+387.69%)
6,320
CPU Mark Single-Thread
2,619
(+12.6%)
2,326
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecRyzen 9 3900Core i5-6600K
ManufacturerAMDIntel
FoundryTSMCIntel
Process Size7 nm14 nm
Transistors7,600 million--

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecRyzen 9 3900Core i5-6600K
SeriesRyzen 9Core i5
MicroarchitectureZen 2Skylake
CodenameMatisseSkylake
Memory SupportDDR4DDR3, DDR4
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecRyzen 9 3900Core i5-6600K
Cores124
Threads244
Clock Speed3.1 GHz3.5 GHz
Turbo Clock4.3 GHz3.9 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier31.0x35.0x
Multiplier UnlockedYesYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecRyzen 9 3900Core i5-6600K
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache512 KB256 KB
L3 Cache64 MB6 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecRyzen 9 3900Core i5-6600K
SocketAMD Socket AM4Intel Socket 1151
PCI ExpressPCIe 4.0 x24PCIe 3.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)65 W91 W
Package Power Tracking (PPT)88 W--
Tcase Max--64 °C
TJ Max95 °C--

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecRyzen 9 3900Core i5-6600K
Integrated Graphics--HD Graphics 530
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES, AVX, AVX2, BMI1, BMI2, SHA, F16C, FMA3, AMD64, EVP, AMD-V, SMAP, SMEP, SMT, Precision Boost 2, XFR 2MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, ABM, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, EPT, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, MPX, SGX, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, SMEP, TBT 2.0

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.