AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U vs Intel Core i7-6850K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a split personality between these two six-core, twelve-thread processors. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U wins four of the six recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i7-6850K takes the remaining two. The magnitude of each victory tells a more nuanced story than the win count alone.

The AMD mobile chip dominates the older Intel desktop part in several tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen scores 1326 against Intel's 974, a 26.5% advantage. The single-core gap in that same test is even starker: 215.5 versus 137, a 36.4% lead for AMD. Geekbench single-core also goes to the Ryzen by a wide margin, 1637 versus 1217, a 25.7% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core is the closest AMD victory, with 1387.5 against 1365, a slim 1.6% edge.

The Intel part, however, flexes its muscle in longer, more sustained multicore workloads. Cinebench R23 multicore shows the i7-6850K scoring 9672 versus 7866.5 for the Ryzen, a 23% advantage. Geekbench multicore similarly favors Intel, 6629 versus 5496, a 20.6% lead. These results suggest the older desktop chip can still leverage its higher power envelope and memory bandwidth in threaded tasks.

The data implies a generational shift in efficiency and single-thread capability, but also shows that raw multicore performance is not solely determined by architecture age. The Ryzen's four wins are concentrated in shorter, lower-power workloads and single-thread tests, while Intel's two wins come in the most demanding multicore scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-6850K is a Broadwell-E desktop part, built on Intel's 14 nm process with 3,400 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. It uses the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform and belongs to the Core i7 (Broadwell-E) generation. Its base clock is 3.60 GHz with a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, and it carries a 140 watt TDP. The chip features 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 15 MB of shared L3 cache.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U is a Cezanne-U mobile part, built on TSMC's 7 nm process with 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. It uses the AMD Socket FP6 platform and belongs to the Ryzen 5 (Zen 3 (Cezanne)) generation. Its base clock is 2.30 GHz with a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, and it sips power at a 15 watt TDP. Cache configuration differs as well: 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3.

The transistor count difference is striking. AMD packs over three times as many transistors into a smaller die, proof of the denser 7 nm process. The Ryzen also has a significantly higher boost clock, 4.30 GHz versus 3.80 GHz, which helps explain its single-thread dominance. The Intel chip's higher base clock, 3.60 GHz versus 2.30 GHz, suggests it maintains more consistent performance under sustained loads.

Memory architecture diverges sharply. The Intel part supports DDR4 memory over a quad-channel bus with 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD chip also supports DDR4 but over a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s. This bandwidth advantage likely contributes to the Intel part's multicore wins in Cinebench R23 and Geekbench multicore. The Intel chip also offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen provides only 8 Gen 3 lanes.

The Ryzen includes integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics, while the Intel part has no integrated graphics at all. The Intel chip is multiplier-unlocked, whereas the Ryzen is locked. Production status differs too: Intel is end-of-life, AMD is active. The Intel part launched in 2016 with a $617 MSRP, while the AMD part launched in 2022 with no recorded MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U wins in every single-core benchmark recorded. It leads by 36.4% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 1.6% in Cinebench R23 single-core, and 25.7% in Geekbench single-core.

Q: Why does the Intel chip win some multicore tests despite losing others?

A: The data shows Intel wins Cinebench R23 multicore by 23% and Geekbench multicore by 20.6%, but loses Cinebench R15 multicore by 26.5%. The R15 test may favor the AMD chip's higher boost clock and newer architecture, while the longer R23 and Geekbench tests may benefit from Intel's quad-channel memory bandwidth and higher sustained power capacity.

Q: What are the TDP differences between these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-6850K has a TDP of 140 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U has a TDP of 15 watts. This 125-watt gap reflects the difference between a desktop enthusiast part and a mobile efficiency part.

Q: Which processor offers more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core i7-6850K provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, whereas the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U provides only 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. This makes the Intel part more suitable for expansion-heavy systems.

Q: Do either of these processors support ECC memory?

A: According to the data, neither the Intel Core i7-6850K nor the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U supports ECC memory.

Q: How do these chips compare in overall benchmark averages?

A: The Intel Core i7-6850K has an average benchmark score of 3079, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U averages 2988. Both sit at the 52nd percentile among all CPUs, indicating comparable overall standing despite their different strengths.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show distinct profiles for each processor. The Intel part uses 6 cores and 12 threads, as does the AMD part. Clock speeds differ: Intel runs at 3.60 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost, while AMD runs at 2.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost.

TDP is a major differentiator: 140 watts for Intel versus 15 watts for AMD. The socket types are incompatible: Intel Socket 2011-3 versus AMD Socket FP6. Architecture generation differs: Broadwell-E versus Zen 3 (Cezanne). Process nodes differ: 14 nm Intel versus 7 nm TSMC.

Transistor counts and die sizes diverge significantly: 3,400 million transistors on 246 mm² for Intel, versus 10,700 million on 180 mm² for AMD. Cache organization differs in L2 and L3: Intel has 256 KB L2 per core and 15 MB shared L3, while AMD has 512 KB L2 per core and 16 MB shared L3. Both have 64 KB L1 per core.

Memory support is DDR4 for both, but bus configuration differs: quad-channel for Intel versus dual-channel for AMD. Memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s for Intel versus 51.2 GB/s for AMD. PCIe support differs: 40 Gen 3 lanes for Intel versus 8 Gen 3 lanes for AMD.

Integrated graphics are absent on Intel but present as Radeon Vega 7 on AMD. The Intel part is multiplier-unlocked; the AMD part is not. Market segments differ: Desktop versus Mobile. Production status: Intel is end-of-life, AMD is active. Release dates: Intel in 2016, AMD in 2022. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $617; the AMD part has no recorded MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U wins in scenarios that favor single-thread speed and power efficiency. Its 36.4% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core, 25.7% lead in Geekbench single-core, and 1.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core make it the clear choice for lightly threaded applications, responsive everyday computing, and workloads that rely on quick per-core bursts. Its 15 watt TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermal management matter. The integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics also allow for basic display output without a discrete GPU.

The Intel Core i7-6850K wins in sustained, heavily threaded workloads. Its 23% advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore and 20.6% advantage in Geekbench multicore demonstrate strength in rendering, compilation, and other tasks that scale across all cores for extended periods. The quad-channel memory with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and 40 PCIe lanes make it a stronger foundation for workstation builds with high memory capacity and multiple expansion cards. Its unlocked multiplier also appeals to users who plan manual overclocking.

The Cinebench R15 multicore result complicates the picture. The AMD chip's 26.5% win suggests that for shorter multicore bursts, the Ryzen's higher boost clock and modern architecture can overcome the Intel part's memory bandwidth advantage. This makes the AMD chip competitive even in some threaded scenarios, particularly those with brief execution times.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on use case. Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U for single-thread performance, power efficiency, and mobile deployment. Its four benchmark wins, including decisive margins in single-core tests, make it the better daily driver for most users. The 15 watt TDP enables fanless or low-noise designs, and the integrated graphics remove the need for a separate GPU. The 7 nm process with 10,700 million transistors represents a modern architecture that extracts more performance per watt.

Choose the Intel Core i7-6850K for heavy multicore workloads and expandable desktop systems. Its two wins in Cinebench R23 multicore and Geekbench multicore, with margins of 23% and 20.6% respectively, show it can still outmuscle the newer chip when all cores are pushed hard. The quad-channel memory and 40 PCIe lanes provide a platform advantage that the AMD chip cannot match. The unlocked multiplier and 140 watt TDP suggest headroom for enthusiasts willing to trade power for performance.

Both chips land at the 52nd percentile among all CPUs and have nearly identical average benchmark scores (3079 versus 2988). The choice ultimately depends on whether the workload is brief and single-threaded or sustained and multi-threaded, and whether the platform needs mobile efficiency or desktop expansion capability. The recorded data does not support a universal winner, only a situational one.