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AMD Ryzen 5 2600X vs Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X vs Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K: the l3 cache difference
On l3 cache the spread is 63%, AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 16 MB against Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K 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 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K, another win for AMD Ryzen 5 2600X. They differ on socket too, AM4 on the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X versus FCLGA1151 on the Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K.
Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K?
The AMD Ryzen 5 2600X is the one to take for gaming and productivity desktop builds wanting genuine 6-core Zen+ performance. Avoid it for buyers with access to Zen 2 or newer chips, those generations offer meaningfully better per-core performance. Take the Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K for enthusiast gaming desktop builds from this era wanting genuine overclocking flexibility on a 4-core chip. It is not the one for buyers wanting the latest architecture, 8th Gen and newer chips offer meaningfully more cores and better IPC.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, efficiency cores, p-core boost clock, socket status, form factor and market segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 6 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K?
At the last price check the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X was $229 and the Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K $242, a 6% premium.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X and Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 6 on the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X versus 4 on the Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K.
Is the Unlocked Multiplier the same on the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X and Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- AMD
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- Intel
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Ryzen 5
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- Core i5
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Desktop
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 2600X
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 7600K
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Pinnacle Ridge
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- Kaby Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 2018
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 2017
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 95 W
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 91 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- None
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- Intel HD Graphics 630
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Desktop
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Zen+, Ryzen 2000 Series
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- Kaby Lake, 7th Gen Intel Core
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- AM4
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- FCLGA1151
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- End of Life
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- End of Life
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 12 nm
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 14 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 6Best
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 4
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 6Best
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 4
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 0
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 0
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 12Best
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 4
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Yes
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 3.6 GHz
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 3.8 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 4.2 GHz
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 4.2 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Yes
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 3 MBBest
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 1 MB-67%
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 16 MBBest
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 6 MB-62%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 95 W
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 91 W
Bundled Cooler
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- AMD Wraith Spire
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- None
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- DDR4
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 2933 MT/sBest
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 2400 MT/s
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 2
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 64 GB
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 64 GB
ECC Support
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- No
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- No
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- No
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- Yes
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- No
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 3.0
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 20
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 16-20%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- $229
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- $242
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Retail
- Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K
- 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 7600K if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | Intel 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7600K |
|---|---|---|
| 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.