AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 vs Intel Core i5-6600K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 wins every single recorded head-to-head test against the Intel Core i5-6600K. Across six Cinebench workloads, the AMD part leads by a remarkably consistent margin, with deltas clustering tightly between -12.6% and -12.9% (negative values indicating the AMD chip is faster). There are no wins for the Intel processor in any of the six comparisons.

The largest single advantage comes in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 scores 364 versus Intel's 317, a 12.9% lead. The smallest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where AMD's 87 beats Intel's 76 by 12.6%. In multi-core tests, the story is identical in magnitude: Cinebench R15 multicore shows AMD at 619 versus Intel at 540, a 12.8% advantage. Cinebench R20 multicore shows AMD at 2582 versus Intel at 2252, also 12.8%. The two remaining tests, Cinebench R23 multicore and single-core, both show AMD winning by 12.8%, with scores of 6148 versus 5363 and 868 versus 757 respectively.

The consistency of these deltas (all falling between 12.6% and 12.9%) suggests a systemic performance advantage rather than workload-specific behavior. The Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 is not merely faster in one niche; it is faster across every rendering and CPU-throughput test recorded. This is a sweeping victory for AMD in the measured benchmarks. The Intel Core i5-6600K, despite having the same core and thread count, trails by roughly one-eighth in every scenario.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-6600K has an average benchmark score of 1816, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 has an average of 1778. Despite losing every head-to-head Cinebench test, Intel's average is slightly higher, likely due to Geekbench scores that are not part of the head-to-head set.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-6600K compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel chip sits within a tight cluster. Its nearest rival, the Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5, has an average score of 1817, just 0.1% ahead. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U is 0.3% behind at 1810, the Intel Xeon E5-1630 v3 is 0.4% ahead at 1823, and the Intel Core i3-9320 is 0.4% behind at 1808.

Q: What is the percentile ranking of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-6600K ranks in the 42nd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 ranks in the 41st percentile. These are nearly identical standings, indicating both processors occupy a similar overall performance tier despite the head-to-head sweep.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-6600K does not. This makes the AMD part more suitable for error-sensitive workloads.

Q: Are both processors overclockable?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-6600K and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 have unlocked multipliers, meaning both support overclocking.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-6600K has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 boosts to 3.70 GHz. Intel has the higher boost frequency, yet still loses all benchmark comparisons.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectural lineages. The Intel Core i5-6600K uses the Skylake architecture, built on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 uses the Zen architecture (Summit Ridge), also built on a 14 nm process but at GlobalFoundries. Both are 4-core, 4-thread designs, so the core count does not explain the performance gap.

Cache organization differs significantly. Intel allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 6 MB L3 cache. AMD allocates a larger 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, plus a larger shared 8 MB L3 cache. The AMD part also has a documented transistor count of 4,800 million on a 213 mm² die, whereas the Intel part has no transistor or die size figures recorded.

Memory support diverges as well. Intel supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while AMD supports DDR4 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but AMD's recorded memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s versus Intel's 34.1 GB/s, a substantial theoretical advantage. The AMD processor also supports ECC memory, while the Intel does not. Intel includes integrated HD Graphics 530, whereas the AMD part has no integrated graphics at all. PCIe support also differs: Intel lists Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while AMD does not have PCIe data recorded in the database.

The Intel chip's production status is end-of-life, while the AMD chip remains active. The AMD part has a later release date in the database, and the Intel chip carries a launch MSRP of $242. Both processors are desktop market segments with unlocked multipliers.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-6600K | AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 |

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

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 91 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Zen |

| Codename | Skylake | Zen (Summit Ridge) |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 4,800 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 213 mm² |

| 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 |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | HD Graphics 530 | None |

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

| Release Date | 2015-08-04 | 2017-06-28 |

| Launch MSRP | $242 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SR2L4 | YD130BBBM4KAE |

The base clocks are identical at 3.50 GHz, but Intel's boost clock is higher at 3.90 GHz versus AMD's 3.70 GHz. The Intel part has a much higher TDP at 91 W versus 65 W for AMD, making the Ryzen part more power-efficient on paper. Intel's cache is smaller at every level, and its memory bandwidth is lower despite supporting DDR3 as an additional option.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, making a straightforward case for its superiority in recorded workloads. It leads by 12.8% in Cinebench R15 multicore (619 versus 540), by 12.6% in R15 single-core (87 versus 76), by 12.8% in R20 multicore (2582 versus 2252), by 12.9% in R20 single-core (364 versus 317), by 12.8% in R23 multicore (6148 versus 5363), and by 12.8% in R23 single-core (868 versus 757). There is no test in the database where the Intel chip comes out ahead.

However, the Intel Core i5-6600K does have some advantages outside raw Cinebench performance. It has a higher boost clock (3.90 GHz versus 3.70 GHz), a higher average benchmark score (1816 versus 1778), and a better percentile ranking (42nd versus 41st). The Intel chip also includes integrated graphics, which the AMD part lacks entirely, making Intel the only option for systems without a discrete GPU. Intel also supports DDR3 memory, which could be relevant for users reusing older memory modules.

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 wins on memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s), ECC support, larger caches, lower TDP, and active production status. It also has a documented transistor count and die size, which Intel lacks in the database.

The Verdict

The data points squarely toward the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 for anyone prioritizing raw CPU benchmark performance. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests by a nearly uniform margin of roughly 12.8%, a decisive and consistent advantage. The AMD chip also offers ECC memory support, 8 MB of L3 cache versus 6 MB, higher memory bandwidth, and a lower 65 W TDP compared to Intel's 91 W. For workloads represented by Cinebench, which include rendering and general CPU throughput, the Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 is the clear choice.

The Intel Core i5-6600K retains a few specific appeals. Its integrated HD Graphics 530 means it can power a display without a separate graphics card, a capability the AMD part completely lacks. It also has a higher boost clock and a marginally better average benchmark score, likely due to Geekbench results that are not part of the head-to-head set. Users with existing DDR3 memory could also find Intel's dual memory support useful. However, these advantages do not translate to wins in any recorded Cinebench workload.

The verdict depends on the use case. For a system with a discrete GPU, where ECC matters, or where rendering performance is critical, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 wins outright. For a build requiring integrated graphics, or one that needs to reuse DDR3 modules, the Intel Core i5-6600K remains viable despite its benchmark deficit. The AMD processor is also the only one still in active production, which may matter for long-term availability. Based strictly on the recorded data, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 is the faster processor in every measured comparison, and the Intel chip's only wins come from features, not performance.