Core i7-6900K vs Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G

Core i7-6900K vs Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G Performance Spectrum

Core i7-6900K

8 / 16

14,682

+1.0%

14,540

0.0%

Ryzen Embedded V1756B

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 i7-6900K vs Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G 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 i7-6900K vs Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6900K

2016

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.5 vs 82.6 PassMark/$ ($1,089 MSRP vs $176 MSRP).
❌115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G moves to AM5 and DDR5.

Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $913 less on MSRP ($176 MSRP vs $1,089 MSRP).
✅Delivers 512.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 82.6 vs 13.5 PassMark/$ ($176 MSRP vs $1,089 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 140W, a 75W reduction.
✅Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,540 vs 14,682).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 20 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G better than Core i7-6900K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G is ahead with a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6900K pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i7-6900K also has the bigger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6900K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G comes in $913 cheaper on MSRP at $176 MSRP versus $1,089 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-6900K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1% better PassMark. It is also 512.8% better value on MSRP (82.6 vs 13.5 PassMark/$), 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 3 PRO 8300G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2016) and a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-6900K vs Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6900K

The Core i7-6900K 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 20 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: 14,682 points. Launch price was $1,020.

Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G

The Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Phoenix2 (2024) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 14,540 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-6900K packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-6900K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-6900K versus 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G — a 20.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-6900K uses the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G uses Phoenix2 (2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6900K scores 14,682 against the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G's 14,540 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-6900K. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i7-6900K vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G.

Feature	Core i7-6900K	Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.9 GHz+23%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+150%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB (per core)+300%
Process	14 nm	4 nm-71%
Architecture	Broadwell-E (2016)	Phoenix2 (2024)
PassMark	14,682	14,540
Geekbench 6 Single	1,273	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,591	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6900K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6900K	Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G
Socket	LGA2011	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-6900K) / not specified (Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G). Primary use case: Core i7-6900K targets High-End Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-6900K	Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	High-End Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-6900K was priced at $1089, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G came in at $176. On launch pricing ($1089 vs $176), Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G was $913 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-6900K delivers 13.5 pts/$ vs 82.6 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G — making the Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G the 143.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-6900K	Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G
MSRP	$1089	$176-84%
Performance per Dollar	13.5	82.6+512%
Release Date	2016	2024

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