Core i7-6850K vs Ryzen 3 5425U

CPU

GPU

Core i7-6850K

6 Cores12 Thrd140 WWMax: 4 GHz2016

Similar parts

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Ryzen 3 5425U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Core i7-6850K vs Ryzen 3 5425U Performance Spectrum

Core i7-6850K

6 / 12

11,376

+0.9%

11,270

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

Ryzen 9 7900

Ryzen 9 9950X

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 i7-6850K vs Ryzen 3 5425U 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 i7-6850K vs Ryzen 3 5425U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6850K

2016

Why buy it

✅+17% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,200 vs 1,663).
❌Launch MSRP is still $617 MSRP, while Ryzen 3 5425U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌833.3% higher power demand at 140W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 3 5425U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 3 5425U

2022

Why buy it

✅+38.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 15W instead of 140W, a 125W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon RX Vega 6, while Core i7-6850K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (4,701 vs 5,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 5425U better than Core i7-6850K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 3 5425U is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6850K pulls ahead with 17% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i7-6850K 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 i7-6850K is the stronger fit. You are getting 17% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 5425U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 3 5425U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $617 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-6850K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2016 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5425U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-6850K vs Ryzen 3 5425U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6850K

The Core i7-6850K 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 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 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: 11,376 points. Launch price was $475.

Ryzen 3 5425U

The Ryzen 3 5425U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Barcelo-U (Zen 3) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 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. Passmark benchmark score: 11,270 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-6850K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 5425U offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-6850K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-6850K versus 4.1 GHz on the Ryzen 3 5425U — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 5425U (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-6850K uses the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 5425U uses Barcelo-U (Zen 3) (2022−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6850K scores 11,376 against the Ryzen 3 5425U's 11,270 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-6850K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,200 vs 1,663, a 32.3% lead for the Ryzen 3 5425U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,500 vs 4,701 (15.7% advantage for the Core i7-6850K). L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6850K vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 5425U.

Feature	Core i7-6850K	Ryzen 3 5425U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+33%	2.7 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-U (Zen 3) (2022−2023)
PassMark	11,376	11,270
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	5,761
Geekbench 6 Single	1,200	1,663+39%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,500+17%	4,701

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6850K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 5425U uses FP6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i7-6850K versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 3 5425U — the Ryzen 3 5425U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-6850K supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-6850K) vs 2 (Ryzen 3 5425U). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-6850K) vs 16 (Ryzen 3 5425U) — the Core i7-6850K offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X99 (Core i7-6850K) and FP6 (Ryzen 3 5425U).

Feature	Core i7-6850K	Ryzen 3 5425U
Socket	LGA2011	FP6
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-3200+33%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40+150%	16

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-6850K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-6850K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 3 5425U). The Ryzen 3 5425U includes integrated graphics (Radeon RX Vega 6), while the Core i7-6850K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-6850K targets HEDT, Ryzen 3 5425U targets Budget.