Core i7-6900K vs Ryzen 7 5825C

CPU

GPU

Core i7-6900K

8 Cores16 Thrd140 WWMax: 4 GHz2016

Similar parts

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Ryzen 7 5825C

8 Cores16 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Core i7-6900K vs Ryzen 7 5825C Performance Spectrum

Core i7-6900K

8 / 16

14,682

+0.8%

14,561

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 7 5825C 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 7 5825C: 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

✅+6.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅400% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5825C across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.5 vs 36.4 PassMark/$ ($1,089 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
❌833.3% higher power demand at 140W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 5825C can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 7 5825C

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $689 less on MSRP ($400 MSRP vs $1,089 MSRP).
✅Delivers 170.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 36.4 vs 13.5 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $1,089 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 140W, a 125W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 8, while Core i7-6900K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (7,145 vs 7,591).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5825C better than Core i7-6900K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 5825C is ahead with a 7.8% 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 6.2% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i7-6900K also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 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 6.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 5825C is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5825C comes in $689 cheaper on MSRP at $400 MSRP versus $1,089 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-6900K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 6.2% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 170.0% better value on MSRP (36.4 vs 13.5 PassMark/$), 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 7 5825C 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 i7-6900K vs Ryzen 7 5825C 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 7 5825C

The Ryzen 7 5825C is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Barcelo (Zen 3) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 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: 14,561 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 7 5825C share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-6900K versus 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5825C — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5825C (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-6900K uses the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5825C uses Barcelo (Zen 3) (2022−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6900K scores 14,682 against the Ryzen 7 5825C's 14,561 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-6900K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,273 vs 1,961, a 42.5% lead for the Ryzen 7 5825C that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,591 vs 7,145 (6.1% advantage for the Core i7-6900K). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i7-6900K vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5825C.

Feature	Core i7-6900K	Ryzen 7 5825C
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.5 GHz+13%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+60%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+25%	16 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	14,682	14,561
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,551
Geekbench 6 Single	1,273	1,961+54%
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,591+6%	7,145

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6900K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5825C uses FP6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i7-6900K versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5825C — the Ryzen 7 5825C supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-6900K supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-6900K) vs 2 (Ryzen 7 5825C). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-6900K) vs 8 (Ryzen 7 5825C) — the Core i7-6900K offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X99 (Core i7-6900K) and SoC (Ryzen 7 5825C).

Feature	Core i7-6900K	Ryzen 7 5825C
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+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	40+400%	8

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-6900K) vs Yes (Ryzen 7 5825C). The Ryzen 7 5825C includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 8), while the Core i7-6900K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-6900K targets High-End Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-6900K	Ryzen 7 5825C
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	Radeon Vega 8
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	High-End Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-6900K was priced at $1089, while the Ryzen 7 5825C came in at $400. On launch pricing ($1089 vs $400), Ryzen 7 5825C was $689 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-6900K delivers 13.5 pts/$ vs 36.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5825C — making the Ryzen 7 5825C the 91.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-6900K	Ryzen 7 5825C
MSRP	$1089	$400-63%
Performance per Dollar	13.5	36.4+170%
Release Date	2016	2022

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