Core i7-10700 vs Ryzen 5 5600

CPU

GPU

Core i7-10700

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020

Core family

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Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Core i7-10700 vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-10700

8 / 16

16,067

0.0%

21,550

+34.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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.

Core i7-10700 vs Ryzen 5 5600 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-10700 vs Ryzen 5 5600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-10700

2020

Why buy it

✅+10.6% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 630, while Ryzen 5 5600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,597 vs 2,052).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 44.0 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($365 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅+28.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $166 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $365 MSRP).
✅Delivers 146.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 44.0 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $365 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 12,250).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-10700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Core i7-10700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 5600 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10700 pulls ahead with 10.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 5 5600 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 10.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 5600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in $166 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $365 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-10700 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 10.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 146.0% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 44.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i7-10700 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-10700 vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-10700

The Core i7-10700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 16,067 points. Launch price was $340.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-10700 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-10700 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-10700 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-10700 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-10700 scores 16,067 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 29.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,250 vs 11,077 (10.1% advantage for the Core i7-10700). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,597 vs 2,052, a 24.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,926 vs 8,600 (8.2% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-10700 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i7-10700	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+9%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.5 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	16,067	21,550+34%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,250+11%	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	1,597	2,052+28%
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,926	8,600+9%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-10700 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10700 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-10700) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B460,H470,Z490,B560,Z590 (Core i7-10700) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

Feature	Core i7-10700	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	LGA1200	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR4-3200+9%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-10700) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). The Core i7-10700 includes integrated graphics (UHD 630), while the Ryzen 5 5600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-10700 targets Gaming, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-10700 rivals Ryzen 7 3700X.

Feature	Core i7-10700	Ryzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD 630	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-10700 was priced at $365, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($365 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $166 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-10700 delivers 44.0 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 84.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-10700	Ryzen 5 5600
MSRP	$365	$199-45%
Performance per Dollar	44.0	108.3+146%
Release Date	2020	2022

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