Intel Core i7-6900K vs AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

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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 9 5900X features 12 processor cores and has the capability to manage 24 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2020 and belongs to the 4 generation of the AMD Ryzen 9 series.
To use the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, you'll need a motherboard with a AM4 (PGA 1331) socket.
Intel Core i 6000 Group AMD Ryzen 5000
6 Generation 4
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-6900K Name AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family AMD Ryzen 9
 
 

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 9 5900X has 12 CPU cores and can calculate 24 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is 3.7 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.8 GHz.
16 Threads 24
8x Cores 12x
8 CPU Cores 12
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking Yes
3.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.8 GHz
3.2 GHz Frequency 3.7 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-6900K does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 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 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 51.2 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 DDR4-3200
No ECC Yes
128.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
4 Memory channels 2
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 51.2 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 105 W watts.
None TDP (PL2) 142 W
140 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 105 W
-- Tjunction max 90 °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 9 5900X is manufactured using a 7 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 64.0 MB cache.
Q2/2016 Release date Q4/2020
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 7 nm
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
-- Release price 549 $
Skylake S Architecture Vermeer (Zen 3)
20.0 MB L3-Cache 64.0 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 6.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
39295
39295
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
14474
14474

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
21878
21878
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
11326
11326

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
14515
14515
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
7651
7651

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
12637
12637
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
7471
7471

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
9520
9520
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
4402
4402

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
2199
2199
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
1254
1254

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
1727
1727
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
1086
1086

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
1636
1636
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
1151
1151