Intel Core i7-6950X vs AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

VS
Performance
Core i7-6950X
16,40344% of 36,991
Ryzen 9 5950X53% better
25,154.568% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 5950X has 53% better performance than the Core i7-6950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-6950X
9.528% of 121.53
Ryzen 9 5950X231% better
31.4826% of 121.53

The Ryzen 9 5950X has 231% better value for the money than the Core i7-6950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

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About the Intel Core i7-6950X CPU

The Intel Core i7-6950X is an end-of-life 10-core (20-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q2 2016 with a suggested retail price of $1,723. It is part of Intel's Core i7 Extreme lineup, which is based on the Broadwell-E microarchitecture. The i7-6950X is compatible with Intel Socket 2011-3 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-6950X supports DDR4 memory and features a quad-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 4 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-6950X 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 25 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-6950X features 10 total cores which can process 20 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.0 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.5 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 Core i7-6950X 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 Core i7-6950X has the 113th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 44.34% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 16,403 score and $1,723 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 9.52. This is the 201st best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X CPU

The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is a 16-core (32-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q4 2020 with a suggested retail price of $799. It is part of AMD's Ryzen 9 lineup, which is based on the Zen 3 microarchitecture. The 5950X is compatible with AMD Socket AM4 motherboards and is fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Ryzen 9 5950X 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 5950X 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 5950X features 16 total cores which can process 32 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 4.9 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 Ryzen 9 5950X 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 5950X has the 24th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 68.00% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 25,154.5 score and $799 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 31.48. This is the 114th 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 i7-6950XRyzen 9 5950X
ManufacturerIntelAMD
SeriesCore i7 ExtremeRyzen 9
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ2 2016Q4 2020
Launch Price (MSRP)$1,723$799
Production StatusEnd-of-lifeActive
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i7-6950X
16,40344% of 36,991
Ryzen 9 5950X53% better
25,154.568% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 5950X has 53% better performance than the Core i7-6950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-6950X is ranked 113th with a score of 16,403, and the Ryzen 9 5950X is ranked 24th with a score of 25,154.5.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-6950X
9.528% of 121.53
Ryzen 9 5950X231% better
31.4826% of 121.53

The Ryzen 9 5950X has 231% better value for the money than the Core i7-6950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-6950X is ranked 201st with a performance per dollar of 9.52, and the Ryzen 9 5950X is ranked 114th with a performance per dollar of 31.48.

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 i7-6950X or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Ryzen 5 7600X25,731+57%
Ryzen 5 9600X25,717+57%
Ryzen 9 5950X25,154.5+53%
Core i5-12600K25,017+53%
Core i7-12700K24,947+52%
Ryzen 9 390016,803+2%
Ryzen 5 5600G16,538+1%
Core i7-6950X16,403
Core i5-11600K16,381-0%
Core i5-11400F15,367-6%

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 i7-6950X or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Ryzen 9 3900X37.94+299%
Core i9-9900KS36.44+283%
Ryzen 9 5950X31.48+231%
Ryzen 9 3950X28.06+195%
Core i9-10980XE19.01+100%
Core i9-9980XE9.72+2%
Core i9-9900T9.65+1%
Core i7-6950X9.52

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 i7-6950XRyzen 9 5950X
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
16,403
25,154.5
(+53.35%)
3DMark Time Spy CPU
9,697
13,441
(+38.61%)
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
1,859
4,324
(+132.6%)
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
155.5
266.5
(+71.38%)
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
8,603
12,136
(+41.07%)
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
1,318
2,217
(+68.21%)
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
17,418
45,654
(+162.11%)
CPU Mark Single-Thread
2,338
3,469
(+48.37%)
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 i7-6950XRyzen 9 5950X
ManufacturerIntelAMD
FoundryIntelTSMC
Process Size14 nm7 nm
Transistors3,400 million8,300 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 i7-6950XRyzen 9 5950X
SeriesCore i7 ExtremeRyzen 9
MicroarchitectureBroadwell-EZen 3
CodenameBroadwell-EVermeer
Memory SupportDDR4DDR4
Memory ChannelsQuad-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 i7-6950XRyzen 9 5950X
Cores1016
Threads2032
Clock Speed3.0 GHz3.4 GHz
Turbo Clock3.5 GHz4.9 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier30.0x34.0x
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.

SpecCore i7-6950XRyzen 9 5950X
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache256 KB512 KB
L3 Cache25 MB64 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 i7-6950XRyzen 9 5950X
SocketIntel Socket 2011-3AMD Socket AM4
PCI ExpressPCIe 3.0 x40PCIe 4.0 x20
Thermal Design Power (TDP)140 W105 W
Package Power Tracking (PPT)--142 W
Tcase Max67 °C95 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

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

SpecCore i7-6950XRyzen 9 5950X
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NI, TXT, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, Boost 3.0MMX, 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 2

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