CPU
GPU
Ryzen 5 1500X
Core i7-6700K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Ryzen 5 1500X is positioned at rank 436 and the Core i7-6700K is on rank 677, so the Ryzen 5 1500X offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 1500X
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 1500X | Core i7-6700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($67) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($142) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Zen (2017−2020) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 1500X | Core i7-6700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+115%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($67) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($142) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 1500X and Core i7-6700K
Ryzen 5 1500X
The Ryzen 5 1500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,074 points. Launch price was $189.
Core i7-6700K
The Core i7-6700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,933 points. Launch price was $339.
Processing Power
Both the Ryzen 5 1500X and Core i7-6700K share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 1500X versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-6700K — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-6700K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Ryzen 5 1500X uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-6700K uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 1500X scores 9,074 against the Core i7-6700K's 8,933 — a 1.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 1500X. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 1500X vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-6700K.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 1500X | Core i7-6700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.2 GHz+14% |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz | 4 GHz+14% |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total)+100% | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core)+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Zen (2017−2020) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 9,074+2% | 8,933 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 4,641 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,120 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,700 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 1500X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Ryzen 5 1500X) vs 16 (Core i7-6700K) — the Ryzen 5 1500X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 1500X | Core i7-6700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 1500X) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-6700K). The Core i7-6700K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Ryzen 5 1500X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 1500X targets Gaming, Core i7-6700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 1500X rivals Core i5-7500.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 1500X | Core i7-6700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 530 |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Gaming | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 5 1500X launched at $189 MSRP, while the Core i7-6700K debuted at $350. At current prices ($67 vs $142), the Ryzen 5 1500X is $75 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 1500X delivers 135.4 pts/$ vs 62.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-6700K — making the Ryzen 5 1500X the 73.1% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 1500X | Core i7-6700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $189-46% | $350 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $67-53% | $142 |
| Performance per Dollar | 135.4+115% | 62.9 |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2015 |
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