Intel Core i5-6600K vs AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

VS
Performance
Core i5-6600K
7,75421% of 36,991
Ryzen 7 9700X297% better
30,75783% of 36,991

The Ryzen 7 9700X has 297% better performance than the Core i5-6600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i5-6600K
32.0426% of 121.53
Ryzen 7 9700X167% better
85.6770% of 121.53

The Ryzen 7 9700X has 167% 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 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.

About the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X CPU

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is a 8-core (16-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q3 2024 with a suggested retail price of $359. It is part of AMD's Ryzen 7 lineup, which is based on the Zen 5 microarchitecture. The 9700X is compatible with AMD Socket AM5 motherboards and is fabricated on TSMC's 4 nm manufacturing process. It features the Radeon Graphics integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Ryzen 7 9700X supports DDR5 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Ryzen 7 9700X has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 80 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 1 MB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 32 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Ryzen 7 9700X features 8 total cores which can process 16 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.8 GHz, and it can boost up to 5.5 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 7 9700X includes an integrated graphics solution called Radeon Graphics. 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 Ryzen 7 9700X has the 11th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 83.15% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 30,757 score and $359 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 85.67. This is the 14th 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.

InfoCore i5-6600KRyzen 7 9700X
ManufacturerIntelAMD
SeriesCore i5Ryzen 7
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ3 2015Q3 2024
Launch Price (MSRP)$242$359
Production StatusEnd-of-lifeActive
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i5-6600K
7,75421% of 36,991
Ryzen 7 9700X297% better
30,75783% of 36,991

The Ryzen 7 9700X has 297% better performance than the Core i5-6600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i5-6600K is ranked 322nd with a score of 7,754, and the Ryzen 7 9700X is ranked 11th with a score of 30,757.

Performance per dollar
Core i5-6600K
32.0426% of 121.53
Ryzen 7 9700X167% better
85.6770% of 121.53

The Ryzen 7 9700X has 167% better value for the money than the Core i5-6600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i5-6600K is ranked 113th with a performance per dollar of 32.04, and the Ryzen 7 9700X is ranked 14th with a performance per dollar of 85.67.

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:Core i5-6600K or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i9-13900K31,187.5+302%
Ryzen 7 770030,945+299%
Ryzen 7 9700X30,757+297%
Core i5-13600K30,419+292%
Ryzen 9 7900X27,731+258%
Core i7-5700HQ8,081.5+4%
Core i5-85007,942+2%
Core i5-6600K7,754
Ryzen 5 14007,363.5-5%
Core i5-11400T7,319-6%

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:Core i5-6600K or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i5-12600K86.56+170%
Ryzen 5 7600X86.06+169%
Ryzen 7 9700X85.67+167%
Core i7-14700K79.06+147%
Ryzen 7 7700X78.86+146%
Core i7-6700K33.12+3%
Core i7-670032.45+1%
Core i5-6600K32.04
Core i7-4790K31.1-3%
Core i5-2500K30.42-5%

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
BenchmarkCore i5-6600KRyzen 7 9700X
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
7,754
30,757
(+296.66%)
3DMark Time Spy CPU
--
14,306
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
601.5
3,120
(+418.7%)
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
166
346
(+108.43%)
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
4,044
16,817
(+315.85%)
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
1,433
3,373
(+135.38%)
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
6,320
--
CPU Mark Single-Thread
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.

SpecCore i5-6600KRyzen 7 9700X
ManufacturerIntelAMD
FoundryIntelTSMC
Process Size14 nm4 nm
Transistors--8,315 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.

SpecCore i5-6600KRyzen 7 9700X
SeriesCore i5Ryzen 7
MicroarchitectureSkylakeZen 5
CodenameSkylakeGranite Ridge
Memory SupportDDR3, DDR4DDR5
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoYes

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.

SpecCore i5-6600KRyzen 7 9700X
Cores48
Threads416
Clock Speed3.5 GHz3.8 GHz
Turbo Clock3.9 GHz5.5 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier35.0x38.0x
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.

SpecCore i5-6600KRyzen 7 9700X
L1 Cache64 KB80 KB
L2 Cache256 KB1 MB
L3 Cache6 MB32 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.

SpecCore i5-6600KRyzen 7 9700X
SocketIntel Socket 1151AMD Socket AM5
PCI ExpressPCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 5.0 x24
Thermal Design Power (TDP)91 W65 W
Package Power Tracking (PPT)--88 W
Tcase Max64 °C--
TJ Max--95 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

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

SpecCore i5-6600KRyzen 7 9700X
Integrated GraphicsHD Graphics 530Radeon Graphics
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, 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 2.0MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES, AVX, AVX2, AVX-512, BMI1, BMI2, SHA, F16C, FMA3, AMD64, EVP, AMD-V, SMAP, SMEP, SMT, Precision Boost 2

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