CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-6600T and AMD FX-8350 represent two very different philosophies in desktop computing, separated by nearly three years of silicon evolution. The data shows a clear overall winner in the Geekbench tests, but the FX-8350’s eight cores and unlocked multiplier keep it relevant for specific workloads. The i5-6600T wins both head-to-head benchmarks, with a 21.7% advantage in multi-core and a staggering 108.2% lead in single-core performance. However, both CPUs sit at the 39th percentile of all processors, indicating they are evenly matched in aggregate benchmark scores, 1563 for the Intel part versus 1557 for the AMD part. This page explores what those numbers mean for real-world usage, based strictly on the provided data.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for most users: the Intel Core i5-6600T is the superior choice for the vast majority of tasks. Its single-core performance is more than double that of the FX-8350 in Geekbench (1172 vs 563), which translates to snappier everyday responsiveness and better performance in lightly-threaded applications. The i5-6600T also wins in multi-core Geekbench (3104 vs 2551), a 21.7% margin that counters the FX-8350’s raw core-count advantage. For productivity, content creation, or general use, the i5-6600T is the clear pick.

The FX-8350, however, still has a niche. With 8 cores and 8 threads versus the i5-6600T’s 4 cores and 4 threads, the AMD part offers more parallel headroom in theory. While the Geekbench multi-core score does not reflect this, the Intel part wins, the FX-8350’s unlocked multiplier suggests potential for manual overclocking, which could close the gap. Benchmark results indicate the FX-8350 is a choice for enthusiasts who prioritize core count and tweaking over out-of-the-box efficiency. The i5-6600T also has a massive power efficiency advantage (35W TDP vs 125W TDP), making it the only sensible option for compact or low-power builds.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras. The i5-6600T uses Intel’s Skylake architecture built on a 14 nm process, while the FX-8350 uses AMD’s Piledriver architecture on a 32 nm process. This node difference explains much of the performance gap: the i5-6600T’s newer, denser process allows for higher efficiency and better single-thread performance. The die size also reflects this, the Intel chip is 177 mm², while the AMD chip is 315 mm², despite the FX-8350 packing 1,200 million transistors versus an unspecified count for the Intel part.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The i5-6600T has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 6 MB of shared L3. The FX-8350 has 384 KB L1 total, 8 MB L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The AMD part’s larger L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB) suggests an attempt to compensate for its older architecture’s inefficiencies. Memory support also diverges: the i5-6600T supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the FX-8350 is limited to DDR3. Memory bandwidth figures favor Intel: 34.1 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s. The Intel chip also features PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, whereas the FX-8350 is limited to Gen 2. Integrated graphics are present on the i5-6600T (UHD Graphics 530), while the FX-8350 relies on a chipset feature on certain motherboards.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-6600T is dramatically ahead, scoring 1172 in Geekbench single-core versus 563 for the AMD FX-8350. This is a 108.2% difference, meaning the Intel part is more than twice as fast in single-threaded tasks.

Q: Does the FX-8350’s 8-core design beat the i5-6600T in multi-threaded workloads?

A: No, according to the Geekbench multi-core test, the i5-6600T scores 3104 versus the FX-8350’s 2551, a 21.7% win for Intel. Despite having half the cores, the i5-6600T’s superior architecture and efficiency lead to better multi-core results.

Q: How do their overall benchmark scores compare?

A: The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the i5-6600T averages 1563, and the FX-8350 averages 1557. Both CPUs land at the 39th percentile of all CPUs, and their nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-8300 (1564) and AMD Ryzen 3 1300X (1562) for the Intel part, and the Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 (1557) for the AMD part.

Q: What are the power consumption implications?

A: The i5-6600T has a 35W TDP, while the FX-8350 has a 125W TDP. This makes the Intel chip significantly more suitable for low-power or compact systems, though it also means the FX-8350 likely requires more robust cooling.

Q: Can the FX-8350 be overclocked?

A: Yes, the FX-8350 has an unlocked multiplier, indicating overclocking support. The i5-6600T’s multiplier is locked, so it does not offer the same overclocking flexibility.

Q: Which CPU supports newer memory technology?

A: The i5-6600T supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the FX-8350 is limited to DDR3. The Intel chip also offers higher memory bandwidth (34.1 GB/s vs 29.9 GB/s).

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-6600T | AMD FX-8350 |

|----------------|---------------------|-------------|

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 35W | 125W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket AM3+ |

| Architecture | Skylake | Piledriver |

| Codename | Skylake | Vishera |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 32 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 315 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 384 KB |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 8 MB |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 29.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 530 | On certain motherboards (Chipset feature) |

| Launch MSRP | $213 | $199 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2015-07-01 | 2012-10-22 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is limited to two Geekbench tests, and the Intel i5-6600T wins both decisively. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-6600T scores 3104 against the FX-8350’s 2551, a 21.7% advantage. This is notable because the FX-8350 has twice as many physical cores (8 vs 4). The result suggests that the i5-6600T’s Skylake architecture, with its higher instructions-per-clock and newer process node, more than compensates for the core deficit.

The single-core test is where the gap becomes extreme. The i5-6600T scores 1172, while the FX-8350 manages only 563, a 108.2% difference. This means the Intel chip is effectively twice as fast in single-threaded performance, which impacts everything from boot times to legacy software that relies on one or two threads. The FX-8350’s high base clock of 4.00 GHz (versus 2.70 GHz for the i5-6600T) cannot overcome the architectural inefficiency of Piledriver versus Skylake. The data shows a total of 2 wins for the i5-6600T and 0 wins for the FX-8350 in these direct comparisons.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-6600T is the clear winner in every measured benchmark, but the strengths of each CPU suggest different use cases. The Intel part wins in both multi-core and single-core Geekbench tests, meaning it is better suited for general productivity, web browsing, office applications, and any software that relies heavily on single-threaded performance. Its 35W TDP also makes it ideal for small form-factor builds, media centers, or any system where power draw and heat output are primary concerns. The i5-6600T’s support for DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3 further future-proofs it relative to the AMD part.

The FX-8350, despite losing all head-to-head tests, still has a theoretical advantage in raw core count (8 vs 4) and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. For users who run heavily parallel legacy workloads that scale linearly with cores, and who are willing to manually overclock, the FX-8350 could be pushed closer to the i5-6600T’s multi-core score. However, the data does not support this conclusion; the Geekbench multi-core score already shows the i5-6600T ahead. The FX-8350’s only clear advantages are its lower launch MSRP ($199 vs $213) and its unlocked multiplier. Benchmark results indicate that the i5-6600T is the more capable processor across the board, making the FX-8350 a niche choice for overclocking enthusiasts or those needing legacy AM3+ platform compatibility.