Ryzen 5 3500X vs i7-6950X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6950X
2016
10 cores / 20 threads, 140 Watt
10.92
+31.7%
Ryzen 5 3500X
2019
6 cores / 6 threads, 65 Watt
8.29

Core i7-6950X outperforms Ryzen 5 3500X by a substantial 32% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6950X and Ryzen 5 3500X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking719918
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.89no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7 (Desktop)AMD Ryzen 5
Power efficiency7.3812.07
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Matisse (2019−2020)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)24 September 2019 (5 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,723no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6950X and Ryzen 5 3500X 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 cores10 (Deca-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads206
Base clock speed3 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.1 GHz
Bus rate9.6 GT/s / QPIno data
L1 cache32K (per core)384 KB
L2 cache256K (per core)3 MB
L3 cache25 MB (shared)32 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm7 nm, 12 nm
Die size246 mm2no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistors3,800 million4,800 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6950X and Ryzen 5 3500X 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 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6950X and Ryzen 5 3500X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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 i7-6950X and Ryzen 5 3500X 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 i7-6950X and Ryzen 5 3500X 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 i7-6950X and Ryzen 5 3500X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4 Dual-channel
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidthno data51.196 GB/s

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6950X and Ryzen 5 3500X.

PCIe version3.0no data
PCI Express lanes40no data

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.

i7-6950X 10.92
+31.7%
Ryzen 5 3500X 8.29

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.

i7-6950X 17340
+31.7%
Ryzen 5 3500X 13163

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.

i7-6950X 1316
Ryzen 5 3500X 1579
+20%

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.

i7-6950X 8570
+44.6%
Ryzen 5 3500X 5927

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 10.92 8.29
Recency 31 May 2016 24 September 2019
Physical cores 10 6
Threads 20 6
Chip lithography 14 nm 7 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 65 Watt

i7-6950X has a 31.7% higher aggregate performance score, and 66.7% more physical cores and 233.3% more threads.

Ryzen 5 3500X, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 3 years, a 100% more advanced lithography process, and 115.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-6950X is our recommended choice as it beats the Ryzen 5 3500X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6950X and Ryzen 5 3500X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-6950X
Core i7-6950X
AMD Ryzen 5 3500X
Ryzen 5 3500X

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Community ratings

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