Core i7-6700K vs Ryzen 5 1500X

CPU

GPU

Core i7-6700K

4 Cores8 Thrd91 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2015

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 1500X

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017

Ryzen family

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Core i7-6700K vs Ryzen 5 1500X Performance Spectrum

Core i7-6700K

4 / 8

8,933

0.0%

9,074

+1.6%

Ryzen Embedded V2A46

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Ryzen 7 3700U

Ryzen Embedded V1807B

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

Ryzen 9 9950X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

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 i7-6700K vs Ryzen 5 1500X 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 i7-6700K vs Ryzen 5 1500X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6700K

2015

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Ryzen 5 1500X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,933 vs 9,074).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.5 vs 48.0 PassMark/$ ($350 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).
❌40% higher power demand at 91W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 1500X.

Ryzen 5 1500X

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.6% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $161 less on MSRP ($189 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Delivers 88.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 48.0 vs 25.5 PassMark/$ ($189 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 91W, a 26W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-6700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 1500X better than Core i7-6700K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-6700K is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 1500X pulls ahead with 1.6% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 1500X also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 1500X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 1500X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 1500X comes in $161 cheaper on MSRP at $189 MSRP versus $350 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-6700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 88.1% better value on MSRP (48.0 vs 25.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 1500X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015), 100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-6700K vs Ryzen 5 1500X Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6700K

The Core i7-6700K 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 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 8,933 points. Launch price was $339.

Ryzen 5 1500X

The Ryzen 5 1500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,074 points. Launch price was $189.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6700K and Ryzen 5 1500X share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-6700K versus 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 1500X — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-6700K (base: 4 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-6700K uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 1500X uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6700K scores 8,933 against the Ryzen 5 1500X's 9,074 — a 1.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 1500X. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-6700K vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 1500X.

Feature	Core i7-6700K	Ryzen 5 1500X
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+14%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+14%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark	8,933	9,074+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,641
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,120
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,700

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 1500X uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i7-6700K versus DDR4-2666 on the Ryzen 5 1500X — the Ryzen 5 1500X supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-6700K) vs 20 (Ryzen 5 1500X) — the Ryzen 5 1500X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-6700K	Ryzen 5 1500X
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2666+25%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-6700K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 1500X). The Core i7-6700K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Ryzen 5 1500X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-6700K targets Desktop, Ryzen 5 1500X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 1500X rivals Core i5-7500.

Feature	Core i7-6700K	Ryzen 5 1500X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 530	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-6700K was priced at $350, while the Ryzen 5 1500X came in at $189. On launch pricing ($350 vs $189), Ryzen 5 1500X was $161 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-6700K delivers 25.5 pts/$ vs 48.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 1500X — making the Ryzen 5 1500X the 61.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-6700K	Ryzen 5 1500X
MSRP	$350	$189-46%
Performance per Dollar	25.5	48.0+88%
Release Date	2015	2017

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