Intel Core i7-6900K vs AMD Ryzen 5 2600X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-6900K or Intel Core i7-6900K – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-6900K features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 16 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2016 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-6900K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
The AMD Ryzen 5 2600X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2018 and belongs to the 2 generation of the AMD Ryzen 5 series.
To use the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, you'll need a motherboard with a AM4 (PGA 1331) socket.
Intel Core i 6000 Group AMD Ryzen 2000
6 Generation 2
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-6900K Name AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family AMD Ryzen 5
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-6900K has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-6900K is 3.2 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.7 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The AMD Ryzen 5 2600X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X is 3.6 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.2 GHz.
16 Threads 12
8x Cores 6x
8 CPU Cores 6
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking Yes
3.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.2 GHz
3.2 GHz Frequency 3.6 GHz
None None 4.0 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-6900K does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Ryzen 5 2600X does not have integrated graphics.
-- Shaders --
-- Release date --
-- Technology --
-- Direct X --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
GPU name
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- VP8 --
-- VC-1 --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- AVC --
-- h264 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR4-2400 Memory type DDR4-2933
No ECC Yes
128.0 GB Max. Memory 64.0 GB
4 Memory channels 2
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 46.9 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 140 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 95 W watts.
140 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 95 W
-- Tjunction max 95 °C
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-6900K is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 20.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD Ryzen 5 2600X is manufactured using a 12 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 16.0 MB cache.
Q2/2016 Release date Q2/2018
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization AMD-V, SVM
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, FMA3, AVX2
14 nm Technology 12 nm
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
-- Release price 220 $
Skylake S Architecture Pinnacle Ridge (Zen+)
20.0 MB L3-Cache 16.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 2011-3 Socket AM4 (PGA 1331)
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
14474
14474
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
13982
13982

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
11326
11326
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
7514
7514

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
7651
7651
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
5782
5782

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
7471
7471
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
5598
5598

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
4402
4402
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
3593
3593

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1287
1287
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
1254
1254

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
1151
1151
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1074
1074

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
1086
1086
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1052
1052