Intel Core i7-6950X vs AMD Ryzen 7 3700X

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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 7 3700X features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 16 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2019 and belongs to the 3 generation of the AMD Ryzen 7 series.
To use the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, you'll need a motherboard with a AM4 (PGA 1331) socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-6950X Name AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family AMD Ryzen 7
6 Generation 3
Intel Core i 6000X Group AMD Ryzen 3000
 
 

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 7 3700X has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is 3.6 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.4 GHz.
3.5 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.4 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.0 GHz Frequency 3.6 GHz
20 Threads 16
None None 4.0 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
10 CPU Cores 8
10x Cores 8x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-6950X does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU frequency --
-- Release date --
-- Direct X --
GPU name
-- Technology --
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

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.
-- AVC --
-- VC-1 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- h264 --
-- VP8 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
 
 

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.
4 Memory channels 2
128.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC Yes
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
DDR4-2400 Memory type DDR4-3200
 
 

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.
-- Tjunction max 95 °C
140 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 65 W
 
 

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 7 3700X is manufactured using a 7 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 32.0 MB cache.
Q2/2016 Release date Q3/2019
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 4.0 MB
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
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
Broadwell E Architecture Matisse (Zen 2)
14 nm Technology 7 nm
LGA 2011-3 Socket AM4 (PGA 1331)
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
-- Release price 330 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
25.0 MB L3-Cache 32.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
22674
22674
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 7 3700X
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
12355
12355

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
8993
8993
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
8732
8732

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
8693
8693
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
7421
7421

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
5950
5950
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
5447
5447

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
2114
2114
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
1819
1819

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
1637
1637
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
1237
1237

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
1294
1294
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
1091
1091

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
1252
1252
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
974
974