Core i7-6800K vs Ryzen 3 7330U

Intel

Core i7-6800K

6 Cores12 Thrd140 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2016
Similar parts
·······
VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 7330U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2023
Ryzen family
·······

Core i7-6800K vs Ryzen 3 7330U 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 i7-6800K vs Ryzen 3 7330U 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 i7-6800K vs Ryzen 3 7330U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6800K

2016

Why buy it

  • +0.7% higher PassMark.
  • +87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $434 MSRP, while Ryzen 3 7330U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 833.3% higher power demand at 140W vs 15W.

Ryzen 3 7330U

2023

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 140W, a 125W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (10,645 vs 10,715).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 7330U better than Core i7-6800K?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 3 7330U is ahead with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6800K pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-6800K also has the bigger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6800K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 3 7330U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 3 7330U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $434 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-6800K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2016 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (24.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 3 7330U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-6800K vs Ryzen 3 7330U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-6800K

The Core i7-6800K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,715 points. Launch price was $345.

AMD

Ryzen 3 7330U

The Ryzen 3 7330U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Barcelo (Zen 3) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 10,645 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i7-6800K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 7330U offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-6800K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-6800K versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 3 7330U — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 7330U (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-6800K uses the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 7330U uses Barcelo (Zen 3) (2022−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6800K scores 10,715 against the Ryzen 3 7330U's 10,645 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-6800K. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6800K vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 7330U.

FeatureCore i7-6800KRyzen 3 7330U
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz
4.3 GHz+13%
Base Clock
3.4 GHz+48%
2.3 GHz
L3 Cache
15 MB (total)+88%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Broadwell-E (2016)
Barcelo (Zen 3) (2022−2023)
PassMark
10,715
10,645
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6800K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 7330U uses FP6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-6800KRyzen 3 7330U
Socket
LGA2011
FP6
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%