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Core i7-860S vs Ryzen 5 5600

CPUCPUGPUGPU
Intel

Core i7-860S

4 Cores8 Thrd82 WWMax: 3.46 GHz2010
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Ryzen family
·······
Buy on Amazon

Core i7-860S vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-860S
4 / 8
2,324
0.0%
brand logoCore i3-3227U
brand logoCore 2 Duo E7300
brand logoCore 2 Quad Q8200
brand logoCore i3-2130
brand logoCore i7-11700B
brand logoCore Ultra 7 265T
brand logoCore i9-14900KS
brand logoXeon w9-3575X
Ryzen 5 5600
6 / 12
21,550
+827.3%
brand logoRyzen 3 8440U
brand logoRyzen 5 4600HS
brand logoRyzen 7 PRO 5875U
brand logoRyzen 7 7445HS
brand logoRyzen 9 5900X
brand logoRyzen 9 9955HX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX
brand logoRyzen 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 i7-860S vs Ryzen 5 5600 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080P
Core i7-860S
low58 FPS
medium58 FPS
high58 FPS
ultra58 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low161 FPS
medium130 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra93 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080P
Core i7-860S
low58 FPS
medium58 FPS
high58 FPS
ultra58 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low508 FPS
medium419 FPS
high351 FPS
ultra310 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080P
Core i7-860S
low58 FPS
medium58 FPS
high58 FPS
ultra58 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low539 FPS
medium526 FPS
high483 FPS
ultra414 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

1080P
Core i7-860S
low58 FPS
medium58 FPS
high58 FPS
ultra58 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low539 FPS
medium539 FPS
high539 FPS
ultra539 FPS
Apex Legends

Apex Legends

1080P
Core i7-860S
low58 FPS
medium58 FPS
high58 FPS
ultra58 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low300 FPS
medium279 FPS
high255 FPS
ultra230 FPS
Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3

1080P
Core i7-860S
low58 FPS
medium58 FPS
high58 FPS
ultra58 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low163 FPS
medium143 FPS
high118 FPS
ultra98 FPS
Civilization VI

Civilization VI

1080P
Core i7-860S
low58 FPS
medium58 FPS
high58 FPS
ultra51 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low282 FPS
medium240 FPS
high201 FPS
ultra167 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077

1080P
Core i7-860S
low58 FPS
medium58 FPS
high58 FPS
ultra58 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low281 FPS
medium235 FPS
high200 FPS
ultra139 FPS
Dead by Daylight

Dead by Daylight

1080P
Core i7-860S
low58 FPS
medium58 FPS
high58 FPS
ultra58 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
Deadlock

Deadlock

1080P
Core i7-860S
low58 FPS
medium58 FPS
high58 FPS
ultra38 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low183 FPS
medium159 FPS
high143 FPS
ultra121 FPS
Check FPS with Custom Builds

Core i7-860S vs Ryzen 5 5600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-860S

2010

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600 across 36 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,332 vs 8,600).
    • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).
    • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.8 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
    • ❌26.2% higher power demand at 82W vs 65W.

    Ryzen 5 5600

    2022

    Why buy it

    • ✅Better for gaming: +266.8% higher average FPS across 36 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • ✅+300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
    • ✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
    • ✅Delivers 1293.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 7.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
    • ✅Draws 65W instead of 82W, a 17W reduction.

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Core i7-860S?
    Yes. Ryzen 5 5600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 266.8% average FPS lead across 36 shared CPU game tests in our data, 545.6% better Geekbench multi-core, 827.3% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 5600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 266.8% more average FPS across 36 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 5600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 545.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Ryzen 5 5600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in $100 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it still gives you a 266.8% average FPS lead across 36 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1293.3% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 7.8 PassMark/$), 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 5 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2010), 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Core i7-860S vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Core i7-860S

    The Core i7-860S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,324 points. Launch price was $422.

    AMD

    Ryzen 5 5600

    The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

    ⚡

    Processing Power

    The Core i7-860S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860S versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 23.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 2.53 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-860S uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-860S scores 2,324 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 161.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 451 vs 2,052, a 127.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,332 vs 8,600 (146.4% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-860S vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

    FeatureCore i7-860SRyzen 5 5600
    Cores / Threads
    4 / 8
    6 / 12+50%
    Boost Clock
    3.46 GHz
    4.4 GHz+27%
    Base Clock
    2.53 GHz
    3.5 GHz+38%
    L3 Cache
    8 MB (total)
    32 MB (total)+300%
    L2 Cache
    256 kB (per core)
    512K (per core)+100%
    Process
    45 nm
    7 nm-84%
    Architecture
    Lynnfield (2009−2010)
    Vermeer (2020−2025)
    PassMark
    2,324
    21,550+827%
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    —
    11,077
    Geekbench 6 Single
    451
    2,052+355%
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    1,332
    8,600+546%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i7-860S uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-860S versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 140.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-860S) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: P55,H55,H57,Q57 (Core i7-860S) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

    FeatureCore i7-860SRyzen 5 5600
    Socket
    LGA1156
    AM4
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0
    PCIe 4.0+100%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR3-1333
    DDR4-3200+140%
    Max RAM Capacity
    16 GB
    128 GB+700%
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    16
    24+50%
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-860S) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

    FeatureCore i7-860SRyzen 5 5600
    Integrated GPU
    No
    No
    Unlocked
    —
    Yes
    AVX-512
    No
    No
    Virtualization
    Yes
    AMD-V
    Target Use
    —
    Desktop
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Core i7-860S was priced at $299, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($299 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $100 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-860S delivers 7.8 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 173.2% better value option.

    FeatureCore i7-860SRyzen 5 5600
    MSRP
    $299
    $199-33%
    Performance per Dollar
    7.8
    108.3+1288%
    Release Date
    2010
    2022
    Search Core i7-860S on AmazonSearch Ryzen 5 5600 on Amazon

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