AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G vs Intel Core i7-6900K Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G and Intel Core i7-6900K represent two very different eras of desktop computing, and the benchmark data reflects that divide clearly. The Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G, built on AMD's 7nm Zen 2 architecture, wins every single head-to-head benchmark in this comparison, taking all 6 tests with a consistent 11.4% to 11.9% advantage. The Intel Core i7-6900K, a 14nm Broadwell-E part from 2016, still holds its own in multi-threaded workloads thanks to its 8 cores and 16 threads, but it cannot match the newer AMD chip's per-core efficiency or raw throughput. The data indicates that the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G is the better all-around processor for modern workloads, while the i7-6900K remains a capable, if aging, option for heavily threaded tasks where its extra cores and quad-channel memory bandwidth matter most.

The Verdict

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G wins every single head-to-head test, taking all 6 comparisons with deltas ranging from 11.4% to 11.9%. If you are building a system today and want the fastest single-threaded performance and superior multi-threaded results across all Cinebench versions, the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G is the clear choice. Its 6 cores and 12 threads are enough for most productivity tasks, and its 7nm Zen 2 architecture delivers higher clocks and better IPC than the older Intel part. The i7-6900K, with its 8 cores and 16 threads, offers more parallelism, but the data shows that advantage does not translate into a win in any benchmark here. The Ryzen chip is also actively produced, while the Intel chip is end-of-life, meaning the AMD part is the more sensible pick for a new build. For users specifically needing quad-channel memory bandwidth or a fully unlocked multiplier for extreme overclocking, the i7-6900K has niche appeal, but for raw performance in these tests, the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G wins outright.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins the most benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G wins all 6 head-to-head benchmarks, including every Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 test. The Intel Core i7-6900K wins 0 tests.

Q: How big is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G scores 13866 versus the i7-6900K's 12444, a 11.4% difference. The same 11.4% delta appears in Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore tests.

Q: Is the single-core performance difference significant?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G leads by 11.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core (197 vs 176) and by 11.4% in both R20 (821 vs 737) and R23 (1957 vs 1756) single-core tests.

Q: Does the i7-6900K have more cores?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-6900K has 8 cores and 16 threads, compared to the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G's 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD chip still wins all multi-core benchmarks.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The i7-6900K supports quad-channel DDR4 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G is dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s. The Intel chip also has 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus the AMD's 20 lanes.

Q: Which CPU has an integrated GPU?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 7). The Intel Core i7-6900K has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing eras. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 7nm process node fabricated by TSMC, with a die size of 156 mm² and 9,800 million transistors. This is a modern, power-efficient design that prioritizes high clock speeds and strong single-thread performance. The Intel Core i7-6900K, on the other hand, uses the Broadwell architecture on Intel's 14nm process, with a larger 246 mm² die and just 3,400 million transistors. This older design is less efficient but was built for high-core-count desktop workloads, offering 8 cores and 16 threads compared to the AMD's 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache configurations also differ: the AMD chip has 512 KB L2 per core and 8 MB shared L3, while the Intel chip has 256 KB L2 per core and a much larger 20 MB shared L3. The Intel part also supports quad-channel memory with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, versus the AMD's dual-channel 51.2 GB/s. The Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G includes Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics and supports ECC memory, while the i7-6900K has no iGPU and no ECC support. The Intel chip is end-of-life, released in 2016, while the AMD part is active, released in 2022.

Specification Differences

The most obvious spec gap is core count: the i7-6900K has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G has 6 cores and 12 threads. However, the AMD chip compensates with higher clocks: 3.70 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost, versus the Intel's 3.20 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The TDP difference is stark — the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G draws 65W, while the i7-6900K is rated at 140W. Socket compatibility also differs: AMD uses Socket AM4, Intel uses Socket 2011-3. Memory support is a major differentiator: the Intel chip supports quad-channel DDR4 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the AMD chip is dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s and 20 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The AMD part includes Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics and ECC memory support; the Intel part has neither. The i7-6900K has an unlocked multiplier and a launch MSRP of $1089, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G has a locked multiplier and no launch MSRP listed. Process node and foundry also differ: 7nm TSMC for AMD versus 14nm Intel for the i7-6900K.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD chip scores 1397 against the Intel's 1254, a 11.4% win. The single-core R15 test is closer in percentage terms but still a clear win: 197 vs 176, an 11.9% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds: multicore is 5823 vs 5226 (11.4% delta), and single-core is 821 vs 737 (11.4% delta). The most demanding test, Cinebench R23, shows the same gap: the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G scores 13866 multicore and 1957 single-core, while the i7-6900K manages 12444 and 1756, respectively, both 11.4% behind. The consistency of the delta across all three Cinebench versions — 11.4% in every multicore test and in R20/R23 single-core, with 11.9% in R15 single-core — indicates a uniform IPC and frequency advantage for the AMD architecture rather than a workload-specific quirk. The i7-6900K's 8 cores and 16 threads cannot overcome the Ryzen's per-core superiority, even in heavily threaded tests. The Intel chip also has a Geekbench multicore score of 8774 and single-core of 1392, but there is no direct comparison available for the AMD part in that test, so those numbers stand alone.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G wins in every benchmark category tested, making it the clear choice for general productivity, single-threaded applications, and multi-threaded rendering workloads. Its 11.4% to 11.9% advantage across all Cinebench versions means tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation will complete noticeably faster on the AMD chip. The Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G also offers integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems, and its 65W TDP makes it far easier to cool and more power-efficient than the Intel chip. For users who value low power consumption, modern platform features like ECC memory support, and an active production status, the AMD part is the obvious winner.

The Intel Core i7-6900K still has specific strengths, even though it loses every benchmark here. Its 8 cores and 16 threads provide more raw parallel capacity, and its quad-channel memory support with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth is a significant advantage for memory-bandwidth-sensitive workloads like scientific computing or large database operations — tasks not represented in the Cinebench suite. The 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes also allow for more expansion cards or NVMe drives. The unlocked multiplier makes it a candidate for enthusiast overclocking, though the data does not include any overclocked results. For someone building a workstation with extreme memory demands or needing maximum PCIe connectivity, the i7-6900K's platform features give it a niche, but for raw CPU performance in the tested benchmarks, the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G wins every time.