Ryzen 9 7900X3D vs Core i7-6950X

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6950X
2016
10 cores / 20 threads, 140 Watt
11.26
Ryzen 9 7900X3D
2023
12 cores / 24 threads, 120 Watt
32.58
+189%

Ryzen 9 7900X3D outperforms i7-6950X by a whopping 189% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6950X and Ryzen 9 7900X3D processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking648110
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.5398.94
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7 (Desktop)AMD Ryzen 9
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Raphael
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)4 January 2023 (1 year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,723no data
Current price$687 (0.4x MSRP)$339

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 9 7900X3D has 3811% better value for money than i7-6950X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6950X and Ryzen 9 7900X3D 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 cores10 (Deca-Core)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads2024
Base clock speed3 GHz4.4 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz5.6 GHz
Bus support9.6 GT/s / QPIno data
L1 cache32K (per core)768 KB
L2 cache256K (per core)12 MB
L3 cache25 MB (shared)128 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm5 nm, 6 nm
Die size246 mm271+71+122 mm
Maximum core temperature67°no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C47 °C
Number of transistors3,800 million13,140 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplierYesYes

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6950X and Ryzen 9 7900X3D 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA2011AM5
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt120 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6950X and Ryzen 9 7900X3D. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
StatusDiscontinuedno data

Security technologies

Core i7-6950X and Ryzen 9 7900X3D 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 i7-6950X and Ryzen 9 7900X3D are enumerated here.

AMD-Vno 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 i7-6950X and Ryzen 9 7900X3D. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR5-5200
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels4no data
ECC memory support-no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataAMD Radeon Graphics

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6950X and Ryzen 9 7900X3D.

PCIe version3.05.0
PCI Express lanes4024

Synthetic benchmark performance

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


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.

i7-6950X 11.26
Ryzen 9 7900X3D 32.58
+189%

Ryzen 9 7900X3D outperforms Core i7-6950X by 189% based on our aggregate benchmark results.


Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

i7-6950X 17418
Ryzen 9 7900X3D 50390
+189%

Ryzen 9 7900X3D outperforms Core i7-6950X by 189% in Passmark.

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i7-6950X 1303
Ryzen 9 7900X3D 2825
+117%

Ryzen 9 7900X3D outperforms Core i7-6950X by 117% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i7-6950X 8487
Ryzen 9 7900X3D 17465
+106%

Ryzen 9 7900X3D outperforms Core i7-6950X by 106% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 11.26 32.58
Recency 31 May 2016 4 January 2023
Physical cores 10 12
Threads 20 24
Chip lithography 14 nm 5 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 120 Watt

The Ryzen 9 7900X3D is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-6950X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6950X and Ryzen 9 7900X3D, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i7-6950X
Core i7-6950X
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D
Ryzen 9 7900X3D

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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