AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X vs Intel Core i7-6900K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a split picture between these two eight-core, sixteen-thread processors. Across the Cinebench suite, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X dominates, while the Intel Core i7-6900K takes a clear lead in Geekbench. The recorded results show AMD winning six of the eight head-to-head tests, with Intel claiming two.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 1452 against Intel's 1254, a delta of 15.8%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar margin: 204 versus 176, which is 15.9% in AMD's favor. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The multi-core result is 6054 for AMD versus 5226 for Intel, again a 15.8% advantage. The single-core R20 test gives AMD 854 points against Intel's 737, a 15.9% lead.

Cinebench R23 continues the trend. AMD posts 14415 in multi-core, while Intel manages 12444, a 15.8% difference. Single-core R23 shows 2035 for AMD and 1756 for Intel, another 15.9% gap. These consistent deltas across three Cinebench generations indicate a steady architectural advantage for the Ryzen part in both heavily threaded and lightly threaded workloads.

The Geekbench tests flip the script. Intel's Core i7-6900K scores 8774 in multi-core against AMD's 6645, which is a 24.3% lead for Intel. In single-core Geekbench, Intel scores 1392 versus AMD's 1256, a 9.8% advantage. This divergence is striking: the same two processors that trade blows in Cinebench show a decisive Intel victory in Geekbench. The data suggests that workload characteristics matter enormously here, with Cinebench favoring AMD's design and Geekbench favoring Intel's.

The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 4114, placing it at the 57th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Intel's average is 3970, also at the 57th percentile. The nearest rivals for AMD include the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS at 4121 (0.2% ahead), the Intel Core i5-12500TE at 4083 (0.7% behind), and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X at 4073 (1% behind). Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5875U at 3971 (effectively tied), the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G at 3977 (0.2% behind), and the Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 at 3959 (0.3% ahead). Both processors sit in a crowded mid-pack, with the overall average score difference of 144 points representing a modest 3.6% gap in favor of AMD.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different process nodes and design philosophies. AMD uses a 12 nm node from GlobalFoundries, while Intel uses a 14 nm node from its own fabs. AMD's die size is 192 mm² with 4,800 million transistors, whereas Intel's die is larger at 246 mm² but packs fewer transistors at 3,400 million. The AMD chip is built on the Zen architecture with the codename Pinnacle Ridge, part of the Ryzen 7 generation. Intel's part uses the Broadwell-E architecture, from the older Broadwell generation.

Clock speeds differ notably. The AMD processor has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. Intel's base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost of 3.70 GHz. Both are unlocked for overclocking. Thermal design power also separates them: AMD is rated at 95 W, while Intel draws 140 W. The lower TDP combined with higher clocks suggests better power efficiency for the AMD part.

Cache layouts are distinct. AMD provides 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3. Intel offers 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but a larger 20 MB of shared L3. The total L3 capacity favors Intel, but AMD's per-core L2 is double. Memory support shows both use DDR4, but AMD is dual-channel while Intel is quad-channel. Intel lists a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while AMD does not specify a figure in the database. Intel also supports ECC memory, while AMD does not. The Intel processor provides PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU, while AMD's PCIe configuration is not listed.

Production status differs as well. AMD's part is listed as Active, while Intel's is End-of-life. The release dates are far apart: AMD launched on 2018-09-18, while Intel launched on 2016-05-30. Intel's part number is SR2PB, and its launch MSRP was $1089. AMD has no listed launch MSRP. Both are desktop processors with no integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear choice based on workload. For Cinebench-style rendering tasks, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X is the superior processor. It leads by roughly 15.8% across all multi-core and single-core Cinebench versions, with higher clock speeds and a lower TDP. The benchmark results consistently show AMD ahead in every Cinebench test, making it the pick for users prioritizing rendering performance in applications that scale similarly.

For Geekbench-style workloads, the Intel Core i7-6900K is the stronger performer. Its multi-core lead of 24.3% and single-core lead of 9.8% are substantial. Users running Geekbench-sensitive applications should favor Intel despite its older architecture and higher power draw.

The average benchmark scores suggest the AMD part holds a slight overall edge, 4114 versus 3970, but the gap is small relative to the workload-specific swings. The AMD processor also offers a more modern platform with an active production status, while Intel's part is end-of-life. The 140 W TDP of the Intel chip versus 95 W for AMD indicates a meaningful efficiency difference that could influence system design.

The verdict from the recorded data: choose AMD for Cinebench workloads and lower power consumption, choose Intel for Geekbench workloads and its quad-channel memory interface with higher bandwidth. Neither processor is universally faster, and the percentile rankings confirm both sit at the same 57th percentile overall.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several recorded specifications:

• Process node: AMD uses 12 nm from GlobalFoundries, Intel uses 14 nm from Intel.
• Transistors: AMD has 4,800 million, Intel has 3,400 million.
• Die size: AMD measures 192 mm², Intel measures 246 mm².
• Base clock: AMD runs at 3.60 GHz, Intel at 3.20 GHz.
• Boost clock: AMD boosts to 4.10 GHz, Intel to 3.70 GHz.
• TDP: AMD is rated at 95 W, Intel at 140 W.
• Socket: AMD uses AMD Socket AM4, Intel uses Intel Socket 2011-3.
• Architecture: AMD is Zen (Pinnacle Ridge), Intel is Broadwell-E.
• L1 cache per core: AMD has 96 KB, Intel has 64 KB.
• L2 cache per core: AMD has 512 KB, Intel has 256 KB.
• L3 cache: AMD has 16 MB shared, Intel has 20 MB shared.
• Memory bus: AMD is dual-channel, Intel is quad-channel.
• Memory bandwidth: Intel lists 76.8 GB/s, AMD does not.
• ECC memory: AMD supports it, Intel does not.
• PCIe: Intel lists Gen 3 with 40 lanes, AMD does not.
• Production status: AMD is Active, Intel is End-of-life.
• Release date: AMD launched 2018-09-18, Intel launched 2016-05-30.
• Launch MSRP: Intel was $1089, AMD has none listed.
• Part number: Intel is SR2PB, AMD has none listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X wins 6 out of 8 head-to-head tests, with Intel winning 2.

Q: How big is AMD's lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: AMD scores 14415 versus Intel's 12444, a 15.8% advantage.

Q: Where does Intel take the lead?

A: Intel wins in Geekbench multi-core with 8774 versus 6645 (a 24.3% lead) and in Geekbench single-core with 1392 versus 1256 (a 9.8% lead).

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: AMD is rated at 95 W, while Intel is rated at 140 W.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, AMD supports ECC memory, but Intel does not.

Q: What is the memory channel configuration?

A: AMD uses dual-channel memory, while Intel uses quad-channel with a listed bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s.