Ryzen 9 7950X3D vs Core i7-6900K

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 9 7950X3D processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	771	61
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	6.41	58.49
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	no data	AMD Ryzen 9
Architecture codename	Broadwell-E (2016)	Raphael (Zen4)
Release date	31 May 2016 (8 years ago)	4 January 2023 (1 year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,020	$699
Current price	$184 (0.2x MSRP)	$758 (1.1x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 9 7950X3D has 812% better value for money than i7-6900K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 9 7950X3D basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores	8 (Octa-Core)	16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads	16	32
Base clock speed	3.2 GHz	4.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	4 GHz	5.7 GHz
Bus support	no data	64K (per core)
L1 cache	32 KB (per core)	64K (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
L3 cache	20 MB (shared)	128 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	5 nm
Die size	no data	2x 71 mm (CCD) sq. mm + 121 (I/O) mm2
Maximum core temperature	67°	89 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	47 °C
Number of transistors	no data	13,140 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	+
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 9 7950X3D compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Socket	FCLGA2011	AM5
Power consumption (TDP)	140 Watt	120 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 9 7950X3D. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	no data	86x MMX(+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A,-64, AMD-V, AES, AVX, AVX2, AVX512F, FMA3, SHA, XFR2, Precision Boost 2
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	no data
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	no data
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	no data
Idle States	+	no data
Smart Response	+	no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	no data

Security technologies

Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 9 7950X3D technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	no data
EDB	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 9 7950X3D are enumerated here.

AMD-V	no data	+
VT-d	+	no data
VT-x	+	no data
EPT	+	no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4	DDR5-5200
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	4	no data
ECC memory support	-	no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

no data

AMD Radeon Graphics (Ryzen 7000)

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

PCIe version	3.0	5.0
PCI Express lanes	40	24

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Ryzen 9 7950X3D outperforms Core i7-6900K by 333% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	9.33	40.36
Recency	31 May 2016	4 January 2023
Physical cores	8	16
Threads	16	32
Cost	$1020	$699
Chip lithography	14 nm	5 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	140 Watt	120 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6900K and Ryzen 9 7950X3D, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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