AMD Ryzen 3 5425U vs Intel Core i7-6850K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-6850K has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-6850K scores 9672, which is 38.4% higher than the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U's 5954.5.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core Geekbench?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U wins with a score of 1328, a 9.1% advantage over the Intel Core i7-6850K's 1217.

Q: What are the process nodes of these two CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U is built on TSMC's 7 nm process, while the Intel Core i7-6850K uses Intel's 14 nm process.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i7-6850K has a TDP of 140 watts.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U supports ECC memory, but the Intel Core i7-6850K does not.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors spans nearly six years of development. The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U is a mobile chip built on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Barcelo, and fabricated by TSMC on a 7 nm process. It contains 10,700 million transistors on a die size of 180 mm². The Intel Core i7-6850K, in contrast, is a desktop part from the Broadwell-E generation, built on Intel's 14 nm process with 3,400 million transistors on a larger 246 mm² die.

The AMD part uses the AMD Socket FP6 platform and belongs to the 5000 series, with a Ryzen 3 generation designation. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, with base and boost clocks of 2.70 GHz and 4.10 GHz respectively. Cache is organized with 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The memory interface is dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, and the chip supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is limited to Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are present in the form of Radeon Vega 6, which is absent from the Intel part. The multiplier is locked, and the production status is active.

The Intel Core i7-6850K uses the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform. It provides 6 cores and 12 threads with base and boost clocks of 3.60 GHz and 3.80 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 15 MB of shared L3. Memory support is quad-channel DDR4 with a higher bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, though ECC memory is not supported. PCIe connectivity is more generous at Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU. No integrated graphics are included, and the multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking. This processor is end-of-life in production status.

The transistor count difference is stark, with the AMD part packing more than three times the transistors of the Intel chip, largely due to the denser 7 nm process. The Intel part compensates with a larger L3 cache and more PCIe lanes, reflecting its desktop HEDT heritage. The AMD chip's newer architecture brings a higher boost clock despite a much lower TDP, illustrating the efficiency gains of the newer process node.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between multi-core and single-core workloads. The Intel Core i7-6850K dominates in multi-threaded tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 9672 against the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U's 5954.5, a margin of 38.4%. The Geekbench multi-core test shows a similar pattern, with the Intel part scoring 6629 versus the AMD chip's 3880, a 41.5% advantage. These results align with the Intel processor's additional two cores and four threads, which provide a significant throughput advantage in parallel workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U, however, takes the win in Geekbench single-core with a score of 1328, beating the Intel Core i7-6850K's 1217 by 9.1%. This reflects the architectural advantages of Zen 3's newer core design and higher 4.10 GHz boost clock. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the two are much closer, with the Intel part edging ahead at 1365 versus 1332, a slim 2.4% margin. The single-core results show that while the Intel chip retains a slight edge in one test, the AMD chip is competitive or superior in the other, a notable achievement given the Intel part's higher base clock.

The overall average benchmark scores place the two processors very close together. The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U has an average benchmark score of 3124, while the Intel Core i7-6850K sits at 3079. Both CPUs occupy the 52nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 6600HS at 3122 (0.1% difference), the Intel Core i3-13100TE at 3111 (0.4% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 5 5625U at 3096 (0.9% ahead). The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 at 3082 (0.1% behind), the Intel Core i7-8700B at 3086 (0.2% behind), and the Intel Xeon W-2133 at 3087 (0.3% behind).

The head-to-head record favors the Intel Core i7-6850K with three wins against one for the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U. However, the nature of those wins matters: the Intel chip's victories in multi-core tests are decisive, while the AMD chip's single-core win is substantial in Geekbench. The Cinebench R23 single-core result, where Intel wins by only 2.4%, suggests that the per-core performance gap between the two architectures is narrow in that specific workload.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The most fundamental difference is in core count: the Intel Core i7-6850K offers 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U provides 4 cores and 8 threads. Clock speeds also differ, with the AMD chip having a lower base clock of 2.70 GHz but a higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz, compared to the Intel chip's 3.60 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost.

The TDP figures could hardly be more different: the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U is rated at 15 watts, while the Intel Core i7-6850K is rated at 140 watts. This makes the AMD chip suitable for mobile platforms, while the Intel chip is a desktop HEDT part. The sockets reflect this split, with the AMD chip using AMD Socket FP6 and the Intel chip using Intel Socket 2011-3.

Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core, but the AMD chip has 512 KB of L2 per core versus the Intel chip's 256 KB per core. The shared L3 is larger on the Intel part at 15 MB, compared to 8 MB on the AMD part. Memory support shows the Intel chip with a quad-channel interface and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD chip uses dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on the AMD chip.

The process node and foundry differ: AMD uses TSMC's 7 nm process, while Intel uses its own 14 nm process. Transistor counts are 10,700 million for AMD and 3,400 million for Intel. Die sizes are 180 mm² for AMD and 246 mm² for Intel. PCIe support favors the Intel chip with 40 lanes versus 16 lanes for the AMD chip, both at Gen 3.

Integrated graphics are present only on the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U, which includes Radeon Vega 6. The Intel Core i7-6850K has no integrated graphics. The multiplier is unlocked on the Intel chip but locked on the AMD chip. The AMD processor is still in active production, while the Intel processor is end-of-life. The release dates also differ significantly, with the AMD chip released in 2022 and the Intel chip in 2016. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $617.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear division of purpose between these two processors. The Intel Core i7-6850K is the stronger choice for multi-threaded workloads that can utilize its 6 cores and 12 threads. Its 38.4% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 41.5% lead in Geekbench multi-core make it the better option for rendering, video encoding, and other parallel tasks. The quad-channel memory interface and 40 PCIe lanes also position it as a platform for workstation-style builds that require high memory bandwidth and expansion capability. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for users who want to push clock speeds higher.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U is the more efficient and modern design. Its 15 watt TDP, compared to the Intel chip's 140 watts, makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops and other power-constrained environments. The integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic use cases, which the Intel chip cannot offer. The 9.1% win in Geekbench single-core shows that the Zen 3 architecture delivers competitive per-core performance despite the lower TDP. ECC memory support is another feature that appeals to specific use cases.

For buyers selecting a processor today, the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U is an active product with a modern architecture, while the Intel Core i7-6850K is end-of-life and based on older technology. The Intel chip's higher multi-core scores are real, but they come with a much higher power draw and a platform that is no longer in production. The AMD chip's average benchmark score of 3124 is also slightly higher than the Intel chip's 3079, indicating that on aggregate, the newer chip holds its own despite having fewer cores. Users who need raw multi-threading power from a desktop platform might still find the Intel part capable, but the data shows that the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U offers a more balanced package for general use.