AMD Ryzen 5 5560U vs Intel Core i7-6850K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a split decision between these two six-core, twelve-thread processors. The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U wins four of the six recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i7-6850K takes the remaining two, and the margins tell a clear story about each chip's strengths.

The most decisive victory for the AMD Ryzen 5 5560U comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 202 against the Intel's 137, a 47.4% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The same pattern appears in Geekbench single-core, with the AMD scoring 1642 versus 1217, a 34.9% lead. These results indicate a substantial generational improvement in single-threaded performance, as the Zen 3 architecture simply executes instructions far more efficiently than the older Broadwell design.

The AMD also wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, scoring 1280 against 974, a 31.4% lead. This is notable because both processors have the same core and thread counts, so the difference is entirely attributable to architectural efficiency and clock behavior rather than raw parallelism. Additionally, the AMD takes Geekbench multi-core with 6922 versus 6629, though the margin is much narrower at 4.4%. This smaller delta suggests that the Geekbench multi-core workload does not stress the AMD's advantages as heavily as the R15 test does.

The Intel Core i7-6850K fights back in Cinebench R23. In multi-core, it scores 9672 against the AMD's 7667, a 20.7% advantage. This is the largest Intel win and indicates that the R23 workload, which is more demanding and longer-running, allows the Intel's higher TDP and sustained power delivery to shine. The Intel also wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 1365 versus 1260, a 7.7% margin. This single-core R23 result is interesting because it contradicts the other single-core tests, suggesting that the Intel's boost behavior under sustained load is more aggressive than its short-burst performance.

The average benchmark scores place these chips very close together. The AMD has an average score of 3162 and sits at the 53rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel averages 3079 and sits at the 52nd percentile. The AMD's nearest rival by average score is the Intel Xeon E5-2676 v3 at 3163, a 0% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U at 3159, a 0.1% delta. The Intel's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 at 3082, a 0.1% difference in the Intel's favor, and the Intel Core i7-8700B at 3086, a 0.2% difference in the Intel's favor. These figures show that both chips sit in the same performance tier overall, but they achieve that parity through very different means.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U is the clear winner in short-burst, latency-sensitive workloads. Its 47.4% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 34.9% lead in Geekbench single-core indicate that it handles everyday tasks, responsive application launches, and lightly threaded software with significantly more headroom. The 31.4% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core further cements its position for older or less demanding multi-threaded applications. For users whose workloads consist of typical desktop productivity, web browsing, and moderate content creation, the data strongly favors the AMD.

The Intel Core i7-6850K wins in sustained, heavily multi-threaded rendering workloads. Its 20.7% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core shows that when the CPU is pushed to its thermal and power limits for an extended period, the Intel's 140 W TDP and desktop-class power delivery allow it to maintain higher throughput. The 7.7% win in Cinebench R23 single-core is also notable, as it suggests that the Intel's boost algorithm performs better under sustained single-threaded load than the AMD's. For users running long rendering jobs, video encodes, or simulations that scale across all twelve threads for minutes at a time, the Intel is the better choice.

The Geekbench multi-core result, where the AMD wins by only 4.4%, indicates that these two processors are nearly equivalent in mixed workloads that combine integer and floating-point operations across all cores. Neither chip has a decisive advantage here, and real-world performance in such scenarios would likely be indistinguishable. The data suggests that the choice between these two CPUs should be driven by workload duration and thread sensitivity. Short tasks favor the AMD, long tasks favor the Intel.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U is built on TSMC's 7 nm process node and packs 10,700 million transistors into a 180 mm² die. It uses the Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne-U codename and is part of AMD's 5000 series. The Intel Core i7-6850K, in contrast, uses Intel's 14 nm process, contains 3,400 million transistors on a 246 mm² die, and is based on the Broadwell architecture with the Broadwell-E codename. The transistor density difference is stark: the AMD crams more than three times as many transistors into a smaller area, which explains much of its efficiency advantage.

Both CPUs have six cores and twelve threads, and both support DDR4 memory. However, the memory configurations differ significantly. The AMD uses a dual-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Intel uses a quad-channel bus with 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel's 25.6 GB/s additional memory bandwidth is a substantial advantage for memory-bound workloads, though the AMD's larger per-core L2 cache helps compensate in other scenarios. The AMD has 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, while the Intel has 64 KB of L1 but only 256 KB of L2 per core. The Intel counters with a much larger shared L3 cache of 15 MB, compared to the AMD's 8 MB shared L3.

The AMD integrates Radeon Vega 6 graphics, while the Intel has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the AMD a self-contained mobile solution, whereas the Intel requires a discrete GPU. The AMD also supports ECC memory, which the Intel does not. In terms of PCIe connectivity, the Intel offers Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD offers Gen 3 with only 8 lanes. The Intel's 32 additional lanes make it far more suitable for multi-GPU or high-expansion desktop systems.

The AMD has a 15 W TDP and is a mobile-market part on the AMD Socket FP6, released in January 2021. The Intel has a 140 W TDP and is a desktop-market part on Intel Socket 2011-3, released in May 2016. The Intel is end-of-life and features an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD is still active in production and has a locked multiplier. The Intel's launch MSRP was $617.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: It depends on the test. The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 47.4% (202 vs 137) and Geekbench single-core by 34.9% (1642 vs 1217). However, the Intel Core i7-6850K wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 7.7% (1365 vs 1260).

Q: Which processor is better for multi-core rendering?

A: The Intel Core i7-6850K wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 20.7% (9672 vs 7667), making it the better choice for sustained rendering workloads. The AMD wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 31.4% (1280 vs 974) and Geekbench multi-core by 4.4% (6922 vs 6629).

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 6 cores and 12 threads. Their performance differences come from architecture, clock speeds, cache configuration, and power delivery rather than raw core counts.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-6850K have integrated graphics?

A: No, it has no integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U includes Radeon Vega 6 integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-6850K does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-6850K has a quad-channel memory bus with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U has a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload and platform requirements. The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U is the better choice for users who prioritize short-burst performance, single-threaded responsiveness, and power efficiency. Its 47.4% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 34.9% lead in Geekbench single-core are decisive, and its 15 W TDP makes it suitable for compact mobile systems. It also has the advantage of integrated graphics and ECC memory support, and it remains in active production.

The Intel Core i7-6850K is the better choice for users running sustained multi-threaded workloads that can exploit its 20.7% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Its quad-channel memory with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes make it a more capable platform for memory-hungry and expansion-heavy desktop builds. The unlocked multiplier also appeals to users who want to overclock, though the data does not include overclocked results.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the AMD at 3162 and the Intel at 3079, and their percentile rankings sit at 53 and 52 respectively. Neither chip is categorically superior. The AMD wins on efficiency and short-burst speed, the Intel wins on sustained throughput and platform expansion. Users should select based on whether their workloads are brief and responsive or long and heavily threaded.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 5560U | Intel Core i7-6850K |

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

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 140 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel Socket 2011-3 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Broadwell |

| Codename | Cezanne-U | Broadwell-E |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 10,700 million | 3,400 million |

| Die Size | 180 mm² | 246 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 15 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Supported | Not supported |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 6 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2021-01-11 | 2016-05-30 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | N/A | SR2PC |