Intel Core i7-6950X vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-6950X or Intel Core i7-6950X – 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 i7-6950X features 10 processor cores and has the capability to manage 20 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 i7-6950X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2019 and belongs to the 3 generation of the AMD Ryzen 5 series.
To use the AMD Ryzen 5 3600, you'll need a motherboard with a AM4 (PGA 1331) socket.
Intel Core i 6000X Group AMD Ryzen 3000
6 Generation 3
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-6950X Name AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family AMD Ryzen 5
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-6950X has 10 CPU cores and can calculate 20 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-6950X is 3.0 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.5 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is 3.6 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.2 GHz.
20 Threads 12
10x Cores 6x
10 CPU Cores 6
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking Yes
3.5 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.2 GHz
3.0 GHz Frequency 3.6 GHz
None None 4.0 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-6950X does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 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 65 W watts.
140 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 65 W
-- Tjunction max 95 °C
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-6950X 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 25.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured using a 7 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 32.0 MB cache.
Q2/2016 Release date Q3/2019
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 185 $
Broadwell E Architecture Matisse (Zen 2)
25.0 MB L3-Cache 32.0 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

AMD Ryzen 5 3600
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
17803
17803
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
17377
17377

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
12713
12713
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
9150
9150

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
8993
8993
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
6821
6821

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
7421
7421
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
6784
6784

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
5950
5950
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
3990
3990

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
1819
1819
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1578
1578

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 5 3600
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1541
1541
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
1237
1237

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 5 3600
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1250
1250
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
1091
1091

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 5 3600
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1183
1183
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
974
974

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 5 3600
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
197
197
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
152
152