Intel Core i7-2600 vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks


Intel Core i7-2600 CPU1 vs CPU2 AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Intel Core i7-2600 AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

CPU comparison

In this CPU comparison, we compare the Intel Core i7-2600 and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.

We compare the Intel Core i7-2600 4 core processor released in Q1/2011 with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X which has 6 CPU cores and was introduced in Q4/2020.
Intel Core i7 (293) Family AMD Ryzen 5 (78)
Intel Core i 2000 (28) CPU group AMD Ryzen 5000 (12)
2 Generation 4
Sandy Bridge S Architecture Vermeer (Zen 3)
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
-- Predecessor AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
-- Successor AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-2600 is a 4 core processor with a clock frequency of 3.40 GHz (3.80 GHz). The processor can compute 8 threads at the same time. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X clocks with 3.70 GHz (4.60 GHz), has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.

Intel Core i7-2600 Characteristic AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
4 Cores 6
8 Threads 12
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
No Overclocking ? Yes
3.40 GHz Frequency 3.70 GHz
3.80 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 Core) 4.60 GHz
-- Turbo Frequency (All Cores) 4.30 GHz

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor.

Intel Core i7-2600 Characteristic AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
-- AI hardware --
-- AI specifications --

Internal Graphics

Graphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback.

Intel HD Graphics 2000 GPU no iGPU
0.85 GHz GPU frequency --
1.35 GHz GPU (Turbo) --
6 GPU Generation --
32 nm Technology
2 Max. displays
6 Compute units --
48 Shader --
No Hardware Raytracing No
No Frame Generation No
2 GB Max. GPU Memory --
10.1 DirectX Version --

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.

Intel HD Graphics 2000 GPU no iGPU
No Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
No Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
Decode / Encode Codec h264 No
No Codec VP9 No
No Codec VP8 No
No Codec AV1 No
Decode / Encode Codec AVC No
Decode Codec VC-1 No
No Codec JPEG No

Memory & PCIe

Up to 32 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Intel Core i7-2600, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X supports a maximum of 128 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s enabled.

Intel Core i7-2600 Characteristic AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333 Memory DDR4-3200
32 GB Max. Memory 128 GB
2 (Dual Channel) Memory channels 2 (Dual Channel)
21.3 GB/s Max. Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
No ECC Yes
1.00 MB L2 Cache 3.00 MB
8.00 MB L3 Cache 32.00 MB
2.0 PCIe version 4.0
16 PCIe lanes 20
8.0 GB/s PCIe Bandwidth 39.4 GB/s

Thermal Management

The Intel Core i7-2600 has a TDP of 95 W. The TDP of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is 65 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution.

Intel Core i7-2600 Characteristic AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
95 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 65 W
-- TDP (PL2) --
-- TDP up --
-- TDP down --
-- Tjunction max. 90 °C

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-2600 has 9.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 32 nm. The cache of AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is at 35.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 7 nm.

Intel Core i7-2600 Characteristic AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
32 nm Technology 7 nm
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, FMA3
LGA 1155 Socket AM4 (PGA 1331)
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization AMD-V, SVM
Yes AES-NI Yes
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux
Q1/2011 Release date Q4/2020
270 $ Release price 299 $
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Rate these processors

Here you can rate the Intel Core i7-2600 to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 2.0 stars (1 ratings). Rate now:
Here you can rate the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 4.6 stars (16 ratings). Rate now:


Average performance in benchmarks

⌀ Single core performance in 4 CPU benchmarks
⌀ Multi core performance in 5 CPU benchmarks

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.80 GHz
759 (48%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.60 GHz
1593 (100%)

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.40 GHz
3289 (30%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.30 GHz
10988 (100%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.80 GHz
772 (49%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.60 GHz
1572 (100%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.40 GHz
2874 (34%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.30 GHz
8420 (100%)

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The single-core benchmark only evaluates the performance of the fastest CPU core, the number of CPU cores in a processor is irrelevant here.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.80 GHz
659 (31%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.60 GHz
2113 (100%)

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The multi-core benchmark evaluates the performance of all of the processor's CPU cores. Virtual thread improvements such as AMD SMT or Intel's Hyper-Threading have a positive impact on the benchmark result.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.40 GHz
2169 (23%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.30 GHz
9279 (100%)

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.40 GHz
5332 (24%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.30 GHz
21955 (100%)

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Single-Core)

The CPU-Z benchmark measures a processor's performance by measuring the time it takes the system to complete all benchmark calculations. The faster the benchmark is completed, the higher the score.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.40 GHz
337 (54%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.30 GHz
624 (100%)

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

The CPU-Z benchmark measures a processor's performance by measuring the time it takes the system to complete all benchmark calculations. The faster the benchmark is completed, the higher the score.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.40 GHz
1658 (35%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 3.70 GHz
4784 (100%)

Cinebench 2024 (Single-Core)

The Cinebench 2024 benchmark is based on the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxon's 3D program Cinema 4D. The benchmark runs are each 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.80 GHz
0 (0%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.60 GHz
94 (100%)

Cinebench 2024 (Multi-Core)

The Multi-Core test of the Cinebench 2024 benchmark uses all cpu cores to render using the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxons Cinema 4D. The benchmark run is 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.80 GHz
0 (0%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.60 GHz
639 (100%)

Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R20 is the successor of Cinebench R15 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.80 GHz
0 (0%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.60 GHz
604 (100%)

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R20 is the successor of Cinebench R15 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.40 GHz
0 (0%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.30 GHz
4562 (100%)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

The theoretical computing performance of the internal graphics unit of the processor with simple accuracy (32 bit) in GFLOPS. GFLOPS indicates how many billion floating point operations the iGPU can perform per second.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
Intel HD Graphics 2000 @ 1.35 GHz
130 (100%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
@ 0.00 GHz
0 (0%)

Blender 3.1 Benchmark

In the Blender Benchmark 3.1, the scenes "monster", "junkshop" and "classroom" are rendered and the time required by the system is measured. In our benchmark we test the CPU and not the graphics card. Blender 3.1 was presented as a standalone version in March 2022.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.40 GHz
0 (0%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.30 GHz
157 (100%)

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R15 is the successor of Cinebench 11.5 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.80 GHz
0 (0%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.60 GHz
258 (100%)

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R15 is the successor of Cinebench 11.5 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
4C 8T @ 3.40 GHz
0 (0%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.30 GHz
1970 (100%)

CPU performance per watt (efficiency)

Efficiency of the processor under full load in the Cinebench R23 (multi-core) benchmark. The benchmark result is divided by the average energy required (CPU package power in watts). The higher the value, the more efficient the CPU is under full load.
Intel Core i7-2600 Intel Core i7-2600
3.40 GHz
0 (0%)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
10,988 CB R23 MC @ 76 W
145 (100%)

Devices using this processor

Intel Core i7-2600 AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Unknown Unknown

News and articles for the Intel Core i7-2600 and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

Why the new AMD Ryzen 7000 processors for the AM5 socket are currently not a good deal
Why the new AMD Ryzen 7000 processors for the AM5 socket are currently not a good deal
Posted by Stefan on 2022-10-11
At the end of September 2022, the time had come: AMD presented its latest desktop processors called AMD Ryzen 7000. Initially, 4 processors with 6 to 16 CPU cores were released.

The new socket AM5 (LGA 1718) is used for the first time, which is intended to replace the very durable socket AM4 introduced in 2017 as AMDs mainstream platform. This includes (depending on the chipset) PCIe 5.0 support as well as the exclusive use of DDR5 memory on all AM5 mainboards.

Officially, DDR5-5200 is the maximum, but with AMDs EXPO Technology which is similar to Intel's XMP 3.0, AMD now also has a solution for easy overclocking of the main memory. AMD itself names DDR5-6000 as the sweet spot for the new AMD Ryzen 7000 processors.
The evolution of AMD Ryzen processors
The evolution of AMD Ryzen processors
Posted by Stefan on 2022-09-06
The AMD Ryzen processors are designed for the mid to high-end range and are grouped into the Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9 classes. AMD follows the market leader Intel, which groups its Core i series (Intel Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 and Core i9) identically.

The AMD Ryzen processors were first introduced by AMD in Q1 2017. They are the successor to the not particularly successful AMD Bulldozer processors. The latter were manufactured using an outdated manufacturing process and could not keep up with the competing products from Intel. AMD lost a large portion of its desktop processor market share during this period.
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 - The CPU with the best price-performance ratio
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 - The CPU with the best price-performance ratio
Posted by Stefan on 2022-07-18
The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (6C 12T) is currently enjoying great popularity and is currently one of the best-selling processors for AMD's Socket AM4 platform.

But why is the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 so cheap and what disadvantages does the buyer have to accept? We clarify that in this article. But first we have to dive a little into the technology of the current Zen 3 processors in order to understand what kind of exotic cpu AMD has actually created with the AMD Ryzen 5 5500.
Most popular processors in the first half of 2022
Most popular processors in the first half of 2022
Posted by Stefan on 2022-07-05
In the past we had repeatedly written about our most popular processors. Since this format was quiet popular, I would like to continue this today and introduce you the most popular processors in the first half of 2022.

With more than 2 million page views per month, CPU-Monkey is one of the biggest comparison sites for processors and is currently available in 16 languages.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X and AMD Ryzen 7 7800X are coming in September
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X and AMD Ryzen 7 7800X are coming in September
Posted by Stefan on 2022-06-20
After we published a performance assessment of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X last week, the well-known AMD leaker Greymon55 has now posted more informations via Twitter.

He predicts the first four models of the new Zen 4 desktop generation, which AMD would like to present at the end of 2022. There is also an alleged release date of September 15, 2022.

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