Core i7-6700K vs Ryzen 5 3400GE

Core i7-6700K vs Ryzen 5 3400GE Performance Spectrum

Core i7-6700K

4 / 8

8,933

+1.2%

8,825

0.0%

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 3400GE 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 3400GE: 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: +7.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Ryzen 5 3400GE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.5 vs 59.2 PassMark/$ ($350 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).
❌160% higher power demand at 91W vs 35W.

Ryzen 5 3400GE

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $201 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Delivers 132.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 59.2 vs 25.5 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 91W, a 56W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-6700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,825 vs 8,933).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-6700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6700K better than Ryzen 5 3400GE?

Yes. Core i7-6700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.2% 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 7.9% 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 1.2% 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 134.9% more expensive on MSRP at $350 MSRP versus $149 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3400GE 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 8,825 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 3400GE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-6700K vs Ryzen 5 3400GE 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 3400GE

The Ryzen 5 3400GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 8,825 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6700K and Ryzen 5 3400GE share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-6700K versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3400GE — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-6700K (base: 4 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-6700K uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3400GE uses Picasso (2019−2022) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6700K scores 8,933 against the Ryzen 5 3400GE's 8,825 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-6700K. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-6700K vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3400GE.

Feature	Core i7-6700K	Ryzen 5 3400GE
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+5%	4 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+21%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	12 nm-14%
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Picasso (2019−2022)
PassMark	8,933+1%	8,825

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3400GE uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6700K	Ryzen 5 3400GE
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-6700K) / not specified (Ryzen 5 3400GE). The Core i7-6700K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Ryzen 5 3400GE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-6700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-6700K	Ryzen 5 3400GE
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 530	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-6700K was priced at $350, while the Ryzen 5 3400GE came in at $149. On launch pricing ($350 vs $149), Ryzen 5 3400GE was $201 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-6700K delivers 25.5 pts/$ vs 59.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3400GE — making the Ryzen 5 3400GE the 79.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-6700K	Ryzen 5 3400GE
MSRP	$350	$149-57%
Performance per Dollar	25.5	59.2+132%
Release Date	2015	2019

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