AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 vs Intel Core i7-6700 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-6700 and AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 represent two vastly different eras of desktop computing, separated by eight years of architectural evolution. The data shows a complete sweep for the AMD part across every shared benchmark, yet the Intel chip still holds a position in the 66th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen sits just one point higher at 67. This suggests that while the newer processor is dramatically faster in raw throughput, both occupy a similar tier in the broader ecosystem, though for entirely different reasons.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the data, with no exceptions. Its dominance is most pronounced in multi-threaded workloads, where the 12-core, 24-thread configuration simply overwhelms the older quad-core Intel part. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 39,653 against the i7-6700’s 6,828, a delta of -82.8%. This is a processor designed for sustained, heavy parallel workloads — rendering, compilation, scientific computing — where its 64 MB of shared L3 cache and 5.40 GHz boost clock allow it to maintain high throughput across all cores.

The Intel Core i7-6700, by contrast, finds its only real competitive edge in legacy scenarios or single-threaded tasks where its 4.00 GHz boost clock and Skylake architecture can still hold its own. Its PassMark single-thread score of 2,277 is respectable, and its 66th percentile ranking shows it remains relevant for basic productivity. However, in head-to-head testing, even the single-core Cinebench R15 result goes to AMD by 83%, with a score of 564 versus 96. The i7-6700’s wins are not against the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 but rather against its own nearest rivals, where it trades within 1% of the AMD EPYC 9224 and Ryzen 5 3500U. For users on older software that doesn’t scale beyond four cores, the i7-6700 remains functional, but it cannot match the Ryzen in any direct comparison.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is generational. The i7-6700 uses Intel’s 14 nm Skylake process, produced by Intel’s own foundry, with a dual-channel DDR3/DDR4 memory controller and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. Its cache layout is modest by modern standards: 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. The integrated HD Graphics 530 handles display output, and the chip is locked, with no unlocked multiplier.

The Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is built on TSMC’s 5 nm process, part of the Zen 4 architecture codenamed Raphael. It packs 13,140 million transistors across a dual-die design measuring 2x 71 mm², and features 1 MB of L2 per core alongside a massive 64 MB shared L3 pool. Memory support jumps to DDR5 with dual-channel bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, more than double the i7-6700’s 34.1 GB/s. PCIe is upgraded to Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, and ECC memory is supported, which aligns with its server/workstation market segment. The integrated Radeon Graphics provide basic display functionality, though this is clearly a compute-first part.

The most telling difference is the transistor count and process node. The Ryzen’s 5 nm process allows for 12 cores and 24 threads within a 65 W TDP, identical to the i7-6700’s 65 W TDP but with three times the core count and far higher clock speeds. The Skylake part, with its 14 nm process, simply cannot compete on power efficiency or density. The AMD part also benefits from a newer memory standard, doubling bandwidth, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in memory-bound workloads.

FAQ

Q: Why does the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 score so much higher in multi-core tests?

A: The Ryzen has 12 cores and 24 threads versus the i7-6700’s 4 cores and 8 threads, combined with a 5.40 GHz boost clock and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 39,653 versus 6,828, an 82.8% difference.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-6700 still competitive in single-threaded performance?

A: No, the data shows a decisive AMD win. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen scores 5,598 versus 964 for the i7-6700, a delta of -82.8%. The i7-6700’s PassMark single-thread score of 2,277 is far behind the Ryzen’s capabilities, though it remains in the 66th percentile overall.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The i7-6700 supports DDR3 and DDR4 with dual-channel memory and 34.1 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 supports DDR5 only, also dual-channel, but with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i7-6700 is a locked part, and the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is also locked.

Q: Which processor has better PCIe capabilities?

A: The Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 uses PCIe Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, while the i7-6700 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. This gives the AMD part more bandwidth and more lanes for expansion.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The i7-6700 is end-of-life, released in 2015 with a launch MSRP of $303. The Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is active, released in 2023, and no launch MSRP is listed in the data.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-6700 | AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 12 |

| Threads | 8 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 5 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB per core | 1 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB shared | 64 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 83.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 24 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | HD Graphics 530 | Radeon Graphics |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Transistors | Not listed | 13,140 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 2x 71 mm² |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

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

| Release Date | 2015-06-30 | 2023-06-12 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 wins all six shared tests, and the margins are consistent at roughly -82.8% to -83%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 3,996 against the i7-6700’s 688, a delta of -82.8%. Single-core R15 shows 564 versus 96, a -83% gap. These are not close contests; they represent a complete generational leap.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 16,654 versus 2,867, again -82.8%, while single-core is 2,351 versus 404. The R23 results follow the same pattern: multi-core 39,653 versus 6,828, single-core 5,598 versus 964. Every delta is either -82.8% or -83%, indicating that the performance ratio is nearly identical across all Cinebench versions, which points to a consistent architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The biggest win for the Ryzen is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it outpaces the i7-6700 by 32,825 points. Even the smallest win, in R15 single-core, still represents a 5.8x improvement. For the i7-6700, the data shows no benchmark where it leads. Its PassMark scores, such as 25,651 in integer math and 15,840 in floating-point math, are strong for a 2015 part, but the Ryzen’s Cinebench results dwarf those figures. Notably, the i7-6700’s PassMark data compression score of 113,748 and encryption score of 2,753 are not directly compared, but the overall trend is clear.

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is the definitive choice for any workload that benefits from multi-threading, and it also wins in single-threaded tests. The data shows a 12-core, 24-thread processor with a 5.40 GHz boost clock, 64 MB L3 cache, and DDR5 bandwidth that makes the i7-6700 obsolete for modern compute tasks. Its 67th percentile ranking among all CPUs, despite its server/workstation segment, suggests it is a top-tier part even in a broader context.

The Intel Core i7-6700, with its 4 cores and 8 threads, remains a functional desktop processor for legacy software, but its 66th percentile ranking is buoyed by its age and the fact that many older applications still run fine on four cores. It is end-of-life, uses older memory standards, and offers no path to modern PCIe Gen 5 devices. The Ryzen, meanwhile, supports ECC memory and has an active production status, making it suitable for professional and server environments.

For anyone building a new system today, the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is the only rational pick from this data. The i7-6700 should only be considered for retro builds or specific legacy compatibility needs, where its Skylake architecture and 14 nm process are acceptable. The benchmark results leave no room for debate: the Ryzen wins every test by over 80%, and that is the story the numbers tell.