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AMD Ryzen 5 2600X vs Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X vs Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K: the l3 cache difference
On l3 cache the spread is 63%, AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 16 MB against Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K 6 MB, so AMD Ryzen 5 2600X takes it. L2 cache runs the same way, 3 MB on the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X versus 1 MB on the Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K, another win for AMD Ryzen 5 2600X. There is a split on integrated graphics as well, No on the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X versus Yes on the Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K.
Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K?
The AMD Ryzen 5 2600X is the one to take for gaming and productivity desktop builds wanting genuine 6-core Zen+ performance. It is not the one for buyers with access to Zen 2 or newer chips, those generations offer meaningfully better per-core performance. Take the Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K for buyers of this era wanting genuine overclocking flexibility on a widely adopted enthusiast gaming chip. It is the wrong buy for buyers wanting the latest architecture, 8th Gen and newer chips offer meaningfully more cores and better IPC.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Efficiency cores, socket status, form factor, market segment and unlocked multiplier read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 5 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K?
The Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K asks 6% more, $242 against $229 for the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X and Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 6 on the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X versus 4 on the Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K.
Is the Memory Type the same on the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X and Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K?
It is. Both are listed at DDR4, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K?
The Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K asks 6% more, $242 against $229 for the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- AMD
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- Intel
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Ryzen 5
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- Core i5
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Desktop
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 2600X
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 6600K
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Pinnacle Ridge
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- Skylake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 2018
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 2015
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 95 W
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 91 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- None
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- Intel HD Graphics 530
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Desktop
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Zen+, Ryzen 2000 Series
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- Skylake, 6th Gen Intel Core
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- AM4
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- FCLGA1151
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- End of Life
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- End of Life
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 12 nm
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 14 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 6Best
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 4
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 6Best
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 4
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 0
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 0
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 12Best
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 4
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Yes
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 3.6 GHz
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 3.5 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 4.2 GHz
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 3.9 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Yes
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 3 MBBest
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 1 MB-67%
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 16 MBBest
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 6 MB-62%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 95 W
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 91 W
Bundled Cooler
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- AMD Wraith Spire
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- None
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- DDR4
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 2933 MT/sBest
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 2133 MT/s
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 2
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 64 GB
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 64 GB
ECC Support
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- No
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- No
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- No
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- Yes
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- No
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 3.0
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 20
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- 16-20%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- $229
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- $242
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Retail
- Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K
- Discontinued
Which one should you pick?
Choose 2600X if you want the higher L2 cache (3 MB vs 1 MB), the higher L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB) and the higher memory channels (2 vs 2).
Choose 6600K if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | Intel 6th Gen Intel Core i5 6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $229.00 View on Consumercarts listing | $242.00 View on Consumercarts listing |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.