Core i5-6600K vs Ryzen 5 5600
Core i5-6600K
Ryzen 5 5600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Core i5-6600K is positioned at rank #662 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6600K
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6600K | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($105) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6600K | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+212%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($105) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-6600K and Ryzen 5 5600
Core i5-6600K
The Core i5-6600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,301 points. Launch price was $242.
Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i5-6600K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600K versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 12% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-6600K uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6600K scores 6,301 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 109.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6600K vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Core i5-6600K | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz | 4.4 GHz+13% |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 32 MB (total)+433% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512K (per core)+100% |
| Process | 14 nm | 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Vermeer (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 6,301 | 21,550+242% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 11,077 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,052 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 8,600 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-6600K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-6600K | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 24 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-6600K) / AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-6600K | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-6600K launched at $242 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($105 vs $115), the Core i5-6600K is $10 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6600K delivers 60.0 pts/$ vs 187.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 103% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-6600K | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $242 | $199-18% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $105-9% | $115 |
| Performance per Dollar | 60.0 | 187.4+212% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2022 |
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