Ryzen 5 2600X vs i7-6900K

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6900K
2016
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
9.11
+4.1%
Ryzen 5 2600X
2018
6 cores / 12 threads, 95 Watt
8.75

Core i7-6900K outperforms Ryzen 5 2600X by a minimal 4% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 5 2600X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking842874
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.049.51
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataAMD Ryzen 5
Power efficiency6.168.72
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Zen+ (2018−2019)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)13 April 2018 (6 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,020$229

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 5 2600X has 814% better value for money than i7-6900K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 5 2600X basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores8 (Octa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1612
Base clock speed3.2 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.2 GHz
Bus rateno data4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplierno data36
L1 cache32 KB (per core)576 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)3 MB
L3 cache20 MB (shared)16 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm12 nm
Die sizeno data213 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data4800 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 5 2600X compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA2011AM4
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 5 2600X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataSSE4.2, SSE4A, AMD-V, AES, AVX2, FMA3, SHA
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
Precision Boost 2no data+

Security technologies

Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 5 2600X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 5 2600X are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 5 2600X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4 Dual-channel
Maximum memory size128 GB64 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidthno data46.933 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 5 2600X.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes4020

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-6900K 9.11
+4.1%
Ryzen 5 2600X 8.75

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-6900K 14470
+4.1%
Ryzen 5 2600X 13899

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-6900K 1286
+3.1%
Ryzen 5 2600X 1247

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-6900K 7200
+36.4%
Ryzen 5 2600X 5280

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.11 8.75
Recency 31 May 2016 13 April 2018
Physical cores 8 6
Threads 16 12
Chip lithography 14 nm 12 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 95 Watt

i7-6900K has a 4.1% higher aggregate performance score, and 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads.

Ryzen 5 2600X, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 1 year, a 16.7% more advanced lithography process, and 47.4% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 5 2600X.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 5 2600X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

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