AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G vs Intel Core i7-6900K Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G and Intel Core i7-6900K represent two very different approaches to desktop computing, separated by four years of architectural evolution. The data shows a clear split: the AMD part dominates in Cinebench workloads across the board, while the Intel part counters with a decisive victory in Geekbench multicore testing. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 3977 for the AMD versus 3970 for the Intel, a 0.2% difference — yet the underlying performance profiles could hardly be more distinct.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G wins seven out of eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons. Its advantages are most pronounced in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD part scores 1932 against the Intel’s 1756, a 10% lead. This pattern repeats across every Cinebench iteration: R15 single-core shows 194 versus 176 (10.2% ahead), R20 single-core shows 811 versus 737 (10% ahead), and Geekbench single-core shows 1440 versus 1392 (3.4% ahead). The AMD processor’s higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to 3.70 GHz for the Intel, aligns with these single-thread advantages.

In multicore Cinebench tests, the AMD part also holds a consistent edge. Cinebench R23 multicore scores 13685 for the AMD versus 12444 for the Intel, another 10% margin. The R20 multicore test shows 5747 against 5226, and R15 multicore shows 1379 against 1254 — both also 10% gaps. This is notable because the Intel processor has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD has only 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite the core-count disadvantage, the AMD part’s newer Zen 2 architecture delivers higher throughput in these rendering workloads.

The Intel Core i7-6900K’s sole victory comes in Geekbench multicore, where it scores 8774 against the AMD’s 6629. This is a 24.4% margin in Intel’s favor — the largest delta in either direction across all tested workloads. The Intel part’s quad-channel memory bus, offering 76.8 GB/s bandwidth versus the AMD’s dual-channel 51.2 GB/s, likely contributes to this result. Geekbench’s multicore test appears to scale more effectively with the Intel’s additional cores and memory bandwidth.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward recommendation: for Cinebench-style rendering workloads and general single-threaded performance, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G is the stronger choice. It wins every Cinebench test by a consistent 10% margin and also leads in Geekbench single-core by 3.4%. Its 65-watt TDP, active production status, and integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics make it the more practical, modern option for new builds.

The Intel Core i7-6900K is now end-of-life, with a 140-watt TDP and no integrated graphics. Its only benchmark win is Geekbench multicore, where it leads by 24.4% — a substantial margin that suggests it remains relevant for workloads that scale well with eight cores and high memory bandwidth. However, this single advantage comes with significant trade-offs: higher power consumption, an older 14 nm process node, and a launch MSRP of $1089. For users whose primary workload is Geekbench multicore-heavy applications, the Intel part has a case; for everything else in the tested suite, the AMD is ahead.

The average benchmark scores tell the broader story: 3977 for the AMD versus 3970 for the Intel. These are statistically tied — the nearest rival data shows the AMD at 0.2% above the Intel, and the Intel at -0.2% below the AMD. This means the two processors deliver nearly identical overall performance, but in different ways. The AMD achieves parity with fewer cores and less power; the Intel achieves it with more cores and more bandwidth. The choice hinges on which workload pattern matters more.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive single result is Geekbench multicore. The Intel Core i7-6900K scores 8774, outpacing the AMD’s 6629 by 24.4%. This is the only test where the Intel part leads, and it is the largest margin in the entire comparison. No other benchmark comes close; the AMD’s biggest win in the other direction is 10.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core.

Across the six Cinebench tests, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G wins each by exactly 10%, with one exception at 10.2%. The consistency is striking: R15 multicore (1379 vs 1254), R15 single-core (194 vs 176), R20 multicore (5747 vs 5226), R20 single-core (811 vs 737), R23 multicore (13685 vs 12444), and R23 single-core (1932 vs 1756). This uniform margin suggests a fundamental architectural advantage in Cinebench’s rendering pipeline, rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Geekbench single-core test is the closest result — the AMD wins 1440 to 1392, a 3.4% margin. This narrower gap indicates that while the AMD part has the edge in single-threaded performance, the Intel part is not far behind in that specific workload. The 10% Cinebench single-core margins, however, tell a different story, with the AMD consistently pulling further ahead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G has an average benchmark score of 3977, while the Intel Core i7-6900K scores 3970. The AMD part leads by 0.2% — a negligible difference that places both processors at the 57th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How does the Intel Core i7-6900K win Geekbench multicore?

A: The Intel part scores 8774 in Geekbench multicore, beating the AMD’s 6629 by 24.4%. This is its only benchmark win out of eight tests. The Intel processor’s 8 cores, 16 threads, and quad-channel memory bus with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth provide the resources for this dominant result.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G win any multicore benchmarks?

A: Yes. The AMD part wins all three Cinebench multicore tests: R15 multicore (1379 vs 1254), R20 multicore (5747 vs 5226), and R23 multicore (13685 vs 12444). Each win is a consistent 10% margin, despite the AMD having 6 cores and 12 threads versus the Intel’s 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the single-core performance comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G wins every single-core test. Cinebench R15 shows 194 vs 176 (10.2% ahead), R20 shows 811 vs 737 (10% ahead), R23 shows 1932 vs 1756 (10% ahead), and Geekbench shows 1440 vs 1392 (3.4% ahead). The AMD’s boost clock of 4.20 GHz exceeds the Intel’s 3.70 GHz.

Q: How do the production statuses compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G is listed as active in production, while the Intel Core i7-6900K is end-of-life. This affects availability and long-term system planning, though the benchmark data itself does not capture this difference.

Q: Which processor has the larger die and more transistors?

A: The Intel Core i7-6900K has a die size of 246 mm² with 3,400 million transistors, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G has a die size of 156 mm² with 9,800 million transistors. The AMD part packs more transistors into a smaller die on a 7 nm process, versus Intel’s 14 nm process.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G uses the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Renoir, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i7-6900K uses the Broadwell architecture, codenamed Broadwell-E, on Intel’s 14 nm process. This process difference — 7 nm versus 14 nm — explains much of the efficiency gap: the AMD part has a 65-watt TDP while the Intel part draws 140 watts.

The transistor counts tell a remarkable story. The AMD processor integrates 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die, while the Intel processor has only 3,400 million transistors across a larger 246 mm² die. This density advantage allows the AMD part to deliver higher performance per watt, as reflected in its benchmark victories across most tests.

Cache configurations differ significantly. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the AMD part has 512 KB of L2 cache per core versus 256 KB for the Intel. The L3 cache is where the Intel part leads: 20 MB shared versus 8 MB shared for the AMD. Despite having more than double the L3 cache, the Intel processor cannot translate that into Cinebench wins, suggesting the AMD’s Zen 2 memory architecture is more efficient.

Memory support also diverges. Both support DDR4, but the AMD uses dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel uses quad-channel with 76.8 GB/s. The Intel’s higher bandwidth is a clear advantage in Geekbench multicore, where it wins by 24.4%. The AMD supports ECC memory; the Intel does not. The AMD has integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics; the Intel has no integrated graphics at all.

Specification Differences

The most immediate difference is core count: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-6900K has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part’s base clock is 3.20 GHz and boost clock 3.70 GHz; the AMD part runs at 3.70 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost. The AMD’s higher clocks help it overcome the Intel’s core-count advantage in most tests.

Power and socket differ substantially. The AMD uses AMD Socket AM4 with a 65-watt TDP; the Intel uses Intel Socket 2011-3 with a 140-watt TDP. The AMD’s multiplier is locked, while the Intel’s is unlocked. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $1089; the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP.

PCIe support is identical in generation — both are Gen 3 — but the Intel part provides 40 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD’s lane count is not specified in the data. The Intel processor’s part number is SR2PB; the AMD’s is 100-000000143100-100000143MPK. Release dates are far apart: the Intel launched on 2016-05-30, and the AMD on 2020-07-20. The Intel is end-of-life; the AMD remains active.