Core i7-880 vs Ryzen 5 5600

Intel

Core i7-880

4 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.73 GHz2010
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Ryzen family
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Core i7-880 vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 i7-880 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.

Core i7-880 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 i7-880

2010

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,478 vs 8,600).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.9 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($583 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
    • 46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

    Ryzen 5 5600

    2022

    Why buy it

    • Better for gaming: +175.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • +300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
    • Costs $384 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
    • Delivers 1741.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 5.9 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
    • Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W 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 i7-880?
    Yes. Ryzen 5 5600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 175.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 481.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 528.5% 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 175.2% more average FPS across 50 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 481.9% 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 $384 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you a 175.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1741.2% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 5.9 PassMark/$), 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 i7-880 vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Core i7-880

    The Core i7-880 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,429 points. Launch price was $583.

    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 i7-880 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 3.73 GHz on the Core i7-880 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3.06 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-880 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-880 scores 3,429 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 145.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 507 vs 2,052, a 120.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,478 vs 8,600 (141.3% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-880 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

    FeatureCore i7-880Ryzen 5 5600
    Cores / Threads
    4 / 8
    6 / 12+50%
    Boost Clock
    3.73 GHz
    4.4 GHz+18%
    Base Clock
    3.06 GHz
    3.5 GHz+14%
    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
    3,429
    21,550+528%
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    11,077
    Geekbench 6 Single
    507
    2,052+305%
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    1,478
    8,600+482%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i7-880 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 i7-880 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 i7-880) 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 i7-880) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

    FeatureCore i7-880Ryzen 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 i7-880) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

    FeatureCore i7-880Ryzen 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 i7-880 was priced at $583, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($583 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $384 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-880 delivers 5.9 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 179.4% better value option.

    FeatureCore i7-880Ryzen 5 5600
    MSRP
    $583
    $199-66%
    Performance per Dollar
    5.9
    108.3+1736%
    Release Date
    2010
    2022

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