Core i7-6700K vs Ryzen 5 2400G

Intel

Core i7-6700K

4 Cores8 Thrd91 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2015
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 2400G

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018
Ryzen family
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Core i7-6700K vs Ryzen 5 2400G Performance Spectrum

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 2400G 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 2400G: 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

  • Better for gaming: +9.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
  • 33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.5 vs 51.7 PassMark/$ ($350 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
  • 40% higher power demand at 91W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 2400G.

Ryzen 5 2400G

2018

Why buy it

  • Costs $181 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
  • Delivers 102.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 25.5 PassMark/$ ($169 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 91W, a 26W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Core i7-6700K.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-6700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (8,734 vs 8,933).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6700K better than Ryzen 5 2400G?
Yes. Core i7-6700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 2.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-6700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6700K is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-6700K is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i7-6700K comes in 107.1% more expensive on MSRP at $350 MSRP versus $169 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 2400G only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 8,734 PassMark with 4 cores and 8 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 2400G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-6700K vs Ryzen 5 2400G Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 5 2400G

The Ryzen 5 2400G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 8,734 points. Launch price was $169.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6700K and Ryzen 5 2400G share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-6700K versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2400G — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-6700K (base: 4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-6700K uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2400G uses Raven Ridge (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6700K scores 8,933 against the Ryzen 5 2400G's 8,734 — a 2.3% lead for the Core i7-6700K. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-6700K vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2400G.

FeatureCore i7-6700KRyzen 5 2400G
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz+8%
3.9 GHz
Base Clock
4 GHz+11%
3.6 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)+100%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Skylake (2015−2016)
Raven Ridge (2017−2019)
PassMark
8,933+2%
8,734
Cinebench R23 Multi
4,800
Geekbench 6 Single
1,040
Geekbench 6 Multi
3,250
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 2400G uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i7-6700K versus DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen 5 2400G — the Ryzen 5 2400G supports 37.5% 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 12 (Ryzen 5 2400G) — the Core i7-6700K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i7-6700KRyzen 5 2400G
Socket
LGA1151
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133
DDR4-2933+38%
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16+33%
12
🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-6700K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 2400G). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics 530 (Core i7-6700K) and Radeon RX Vega 11 (Ryzen 5 2400G) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-6700K targets Desktop, Ryzen 5 2400G targets Entry Gaming Desktop.

FeatureCore i7-6700KRyzen 5 2400G
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 530
Radeon RX Vega 11
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Desktop
Entry Gaming Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-6700K was priced at $350, while the Ryzen 5 2400G came in at $169. On launch pricing ($350 vs $169), Ryzen 5 2400G was $181 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-6700K delivers 25.5 pts/$ vs 51.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 2400G — making the Ryzen 5 2400G the 67.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-6700KRyzen 5 2400G
MSRP
$350
$169-52%
Performance per Dollar
25.5
51.7+103%
Release Date
2015
2018

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