AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i7-2600K

VS
Performance
Ryzen 9 5900X147% better
21,043.557% of 36,991
Core i7-2600K
8,52723% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 5900X has 147% better performance than the Core i7-2600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Ryzen 9 5900X42% better
38.3332% of 121.53
Core i7-2600K
26.922% of 121.53

The Ryzen 9 5900X has 42% better value for the money than the Core i7-2600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

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About the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X CPU

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is a 12-core (24-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q4 2020 with a suggested retail price of $549. It is part of AMD's Ryzen 9 lineup, which is based on the Zen 3 microarchitecture. The 5900X is compatible with AMD Socket AM4 motherboards and is fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Ryzen 9 5900X 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 5900X 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 5900X 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 3.7 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.8 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 5900X 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 5900X has the 62nd best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 56.89% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 21,043.5 score and $549 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 38.33. This is the 84th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i7-2600K CPU

The Intel Core i7-2600K is an end-of-life 4-core (8-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q1 2011 with a suggested retail price of $317. It is part of Intel's Core i7 lineup, which is based on the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture. The i7-2600K is compatible with Intel Socket 1155 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process. It features the Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-2600K supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-2600K 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 8 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-2600K features 4 total cores which can process 8 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.4 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.8 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 i7-2600K includes an integrated graphics solution called Intel HD 3000. 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 i7-2600K has the 294th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 23.05% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 8,527 score and $317 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 26.9. This is the 135th 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 5900XCore i7-2600K
ManufacturerAMDIntel
SeriesRyzen 9Core i7
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ4 2020Q1 2011
Launch Price (MSRP)$549$317
Production StatusActiveEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Ryzen 9 5900X147% better
21,043.557% of 36,991
Core i7-2600K
8,52723% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 5900X has 147% better performance than the Core i7-2600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Ryzen 9 5900X is ranked 62nd with a score of 21,043.5, and the Core i7-2600K is ranked 294th with a score of 8,527.

Performance per dollar
Ryzen 9 5900X42% better
38.3332% of 121.53
Core i7-2600K
26.922% of 121.53

The Ryzen 9 5900X has 42% better value for the money than the Core i7-2600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Ryzen 9 5900X is ranked 84th with a performance per dollar of 38.33, and the Core i7-2600K is ranked 135th with a performance per dollar of 26.9.

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 5900X or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i5-1340023,120+10%
Core i9-10900K21,935+4%
Ryzen 9 5900X21,043.5
Ryzen 9 3950X21,016-0%
Core i9-11900K20,662-2%
Core i3-9100F8,742-58%
Core i7-4790S8,643-59%
Core i7-2600K8,527-59%
Ryzen 5 2400G8,241-61%
Core i7-5700HQ8,081.5-62%

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 5900X or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i9-10900K40.1+5%
Core i9-11900K38.33+0%
Ryzen 9 5900X38.33
Ryzen 9 3900X37.94-1%
Core i9-9900KS36.44-5%
Core i7-4790S27.7-28%
Core i7-5775C27.26-29%
Core i7-2600K26.9-30%
Core i5-6600T25.38-34%
Core i7-4770K25.15-34%

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 5900XCore i7-2600K
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
21,043.5
(+146.79%)
8,527
3DMark Time Spy CPU
11,913
--
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
2,695
(+339.28%)
613.5
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
250
(+93.8%)
129
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
11,962
(+422.13%)
2,291
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
2,209
(+231.18%)
667
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
39,167
(+614.2%)
5,484
CPU Mark Single-Thread
3,470
(+98.97%)
1,744
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 5900XCore i7-2600K
ManufacturerAMDIntel
FoundryTSMCIntel
Process Size7 nm32 nm
Transistors8,300 million1,160 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 5900XCore i7-2600K
SeriesRyzen 9Core i7
MicroarchitectureZen 3Sandy Bridge
CodenameVermeerSandy Bridge
Memory SupportDDR4DDR3
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryYesNo

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 5900XCore i7-2600K
Cores124
Threads248
Clock Speed3.7 GHz3.4 GHz
Turbo Clock4.8 GHz3.8 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier37.0x34.0x
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 5900XCore i7-2600K
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache512 KB256 KB
L3 Cache64 MB8 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 5900XCore i7-2600K
SocketAMD Socket AM4Intel Socket 1155
PCI ExpressPCIe 4.0PCIe 2.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)105 W95 W
Package Power Tracking (PPT)142 W--
Tcase Max95 °C--
TJ Max--100 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

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

SpecRyzen 9 5900XCore i7-2600K
Integrated Graphics--Intel HD 3000
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, SSE4.2, AVX, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, HTT, AES-NI, 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.