AMD Ryzen 3 1300X vs Intel Core i5-6600T Comparison

# Intel Core i5-6600T vs AMD Ryzen 3 1300X

The Intel Core i5-6600T and AMD Ryzen 3 1300X both sit at the 39th percentile of all CPUs tracked, with average benchmark scores of 1563 and 1562 respectively — a 0.1% gap that makes them statistical twins. Yet the data reveals two very different personalities: the Ryzen wins four of six head-to-head tests, while the Intel takes two, including a stunning 36.1% multicore blowout in Cinebench R23. This is a matchup where the aggregate score hides the real story.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X dominates the older Cinebench R15 tests. In multicore, it scores 558 against the Intel's 478, a 14.3% advantage. The single-core gap is even more dramatic: 152 versus 67, a 55.9% margin that suggests the Intel part struggles with legacy single-threaded workloads. The Ryzen also edges out the Intel in Geekbench multicore (3126 vs 3104, a 0.7% lead) and Cinebench R23 single-core (947 vs 669, a 29.4% margin).

The Intel Core i5-6600T, however, takes the two most modern benchmarks. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 4745 against the Ryzen's 3486 — a 36.1% blowout that flips the expected narrative. It also wins Geekbench single-core with 1172 versus 1101, a 6.4% edge. This split suggests the Intel part scales better with newer, more demanding workloads, while the AMD excels in the older test suite.

The use-case split is clear: the Ryzen 3 1300X is the safer pick for legacy applications and general multi-threaded throughput as measured by R15, while the i5-6600T pulls ahead in the most recent Cinebench iteration, hinting at better long-term software optimization headroom.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design philosophies. Intel's Skylake architecture, built on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry, uses a 177 mm² die. AMD's Zen (Summit Ridge) architecture is also 14 nm but fabricated at GlobalFoundries, with a larger 213 mm² die and 4,800 million transistors — the Intel die size lacks a transistor count in the data.

Cache layouts diverge significantly. The Intel has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 6 MB shared L3. The AMD doubles the L1 to 96 KB per core, doubles the L2 to 512 KB per core, and offers 8 MB shared L3 — a total cache advantage that likely explains its R15 superiority. Both support dual-channel memory, but the AMD lists DDR4 only with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel supports both DDR3 and DDR4 at 34.1 GB/s. The Ryzen also supports ECC memory; the Intel does not.

The Intel integrates UHD Graphics 530, while the Ryzen has no integrated graphics — a major consideration for systems without a discrete GPU. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel is locked. The Ryzen is on Socket AM4 and remains in active production, while the Intel is end-of-life on Socket 1151. The Intel's 35 W TDP versus the AMD's 65 W TDP indicates the former is designed for power efficiency, though the data shows no direct power consumption measurements.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is Cinebench R23 multicore, where the Intel i5-6600T scores 4745 against the Ryzen's 3486. That 36.1% delta is the largest in either direction across all tests, and it directly contradicts the older R15 multicore result where the AMD wins by 14.3% (558 vs 478). This reversal suggests either significant software optimization differences between the two Cinebench versions, or that the Intel's architecture handles the newer test's workload patterns far better.

Single-core results also tell a divided story. In Cinebench R15, the Ryzen wins 152 to 67 — a 55.9% margin that is the single biggest percentage gap in the entire dataset. The Intel's score of 67 is remarkably low, nearly half the Ryzen's, which may indicate a driver or frequency issue in that specific test. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen still wins but by a smaller 29.4% margin (947 vs 669). In Geekbench single-core, the tables turn: the Intel wins 1172 to 1101, a 6.4% edge.

Geekbench multicore is nearly a tie: the AMD scores 3126 against the Intel's 3104, a 0.7% difference that could be noise. Overall, the Ryzen wins four of six tests, but the Intel's single R23 multicore victory is so large that it almost single-handedly closes the average score gap. The data suggests that if your workload resembles Cinebench R23, the Intel is decisively better; if it resembles anything else, the AMD is at least competitive and often superior.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-6600T averages 1563, while the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X averages 1562 — a 0.1% difference in favor of the Intel, making them effectively tied.

Q: Why does the Intel win Cinebench R23 multicore by such a large margin?

A: The Intel scores 4745 versus the AMD's 3486, a 36.1% advantage. This is the largest delta in any test and may reflect the Intel's architecture handling the R23 workload's memory access patterns or instruction mix more efficiently.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X better in single-core performance?

A: It depends on the test. In Cinebench R15, the AMD wins 152 to 67 (55.9% ahead). In Cinebench R23, it wins 947 to 669 (29.4% ahead). But in Geekbench single-core, the Intel wins 1172 to 1101 (6.4% ahead).

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel supports both DDR3 and DDR4 with dual-channel memory at 34.1 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD supports only DDR4 but offers higher bandwidth at 42.7 GB/s and also supports ECC memory, which the Intel does not.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-6600T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 530). The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: How do their production statuses differ?

A: The Intel Core i5-6600T is end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X is still in active production. The AMD also has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, whereas the Intel's multiplier is locked.

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture. If your priority is the newest Cinebench R23 multicore workload, the Intel Core i5-6600T is the clear choice — its 36.1% advantage over the AMD is decisive and not offset by any other single test. The Intel also wins Geekbench single-core, making it competitive in modern light-threaded tasks.

However, for everything else, the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X is the stronger performer. It wins the older Cinebench R15 tests by substantial margins (14.3% multicore, 55.9% single-core), takes Cinebench R23 single-core by 29.4%, and edges out Geekbench multicore. It also offers ECC memory support, an unlocked multiplier, and remains in active production, which matters for long-term availability.

The Intel's 35 W TDP versus the AMD's 65 W TDP suggests the Intel is the efficiency pick, but the data does not include power measurements to quantify this. The lack of integrated graphics on the AMD is a significant drawback for budget or compact systems. Ultimately, the choice hinges on workload recency: modern Cinebench users should favor the Intel; legacy application users and those wanting overclocking or ECC should pick the AMD.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-6600T | AMD Ryzen 3 1300X |

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

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Zen |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 213 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 4,800 million |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 530 | None |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Launch MSRP | $213 | $129 |