AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX vs Intel Core i5-6500 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX and the Intel Core i5-6500 occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, yet the data places them near each other in the aggregate benchmark standings. The Threadripper PRO sits at the 64th percentile of all CPUs with an average score of 7741, while the Core i5-6500 is at the 63rd percentile with an average of 7569. This 2.3% gap in the Threadripper's favor masks a dramatic divergence in workload-specific performance, as the head-to-head benchmark results reveal a one-sided contest where the AMD part wins every single test, often by staggering margins.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the data is the sheer consistency of the AMD processor's dominance. Across all eight head-to-head tests, the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX secures a clean sweep, with the Intel Core i5-6500 failing to claim a single victory. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than a simple win-loss record.

In multi-core workloads, the Threadripper PRO's advantage is overwhelming. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the AMD chip scoring 28469 against the Intel's 4760, a delta of 498.1%. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the score of 11956 dwarfs the i5-6500's 1999, again a 498.1% difference. Even the older Cinebench R15 multi-core benchmark shows a 499% gap, with scores of 2869 versus 479. These results align perfectly with the core count disparity—the AMD part offers 12 cores and 24 threads against the Intel's 4 cores and 4 threads, and the benchmark data reflects that theoretical advantage almost exactly.

Single-core performance tells a different story, though the winner remains the same. In Geekbench single-core, the Threadripper PRO scores 1668 against 1099 for the i5-6500, a 51.8% advantage. This is the closest margin in the entire head-to-head set, suggesting that the Zen 2 architecture's per-core efficiency is solidly ahead of the older Skylake design, but not by the factor of five seen in multi-threaded tests. The Cinebench R23 single-core result shows 4019 versus 672, a 498.1% delta, which is surprisingly consistent with the multi-core margins and indicates that the AMD processor's clock speed advantage (4.30 GHz boost versus 3.60 GHz) combined with architectural improvements delivers a substantial per-thread uplift.

The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows an anomaly worth noting: the scores are 404 and 67, a 503% delta. This is the highest percentage difference in the entire comparison, and the absolute scores are far lower than in newer benchmarks, likely reflecting the test's age and scaling characteristics. Regardless, the direction is unambiguous—the Threadripper PRO wins every benchmark, from the multi-threaded rendering tests to the single-threaded Geekbench runs.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear hierarchy: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is the superior processor in every measurable category within this comparison. With 8 wins out of 8 head-to-head tests, there is no ambiguity in the results. The Intel Core i5-6500's best performance comes in Geekbench single-core, where it trails by "only" 51.8%, but even that represents a decisive defeat.

For a buyer choosing between these two, the decision hinges entirely on workload. The Threadripper PRO is built for server and workstation tasks—its market segment is explicitly "Server/Workstation" while the i5-6500 targets "Desktop." The AMD part's 64th percentile ranking and average score of 7741 place it slightly above the i5-6500 in aggregate, but the real story is the 498%+ margins in multi-core tests. Anyone running Cinebench-style rendering, scientific simulations, or heavy multi-threaded compilation would see near-sixfold improvements with the AMD chip.

The i5-6500, being end-of-life and rated at the 63rd percentile, offers no competitive advantage in this matchup. Its only potential appeal is its 65W TDP and integrated HD Graphics 530, which the Threadripper PRO lacks entirely. But for raw performance, the data is unambiguous: the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX wins every benchmark, often by factors of five or more. The verdict is not close—it is a landslide.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies separated by five years of technological progress. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX uses the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Castle Peak, built on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It packs 7,600 million transistors across a dual-chiplet design with a die size of 2x 74 mm². In contrast, the Intel Core i5-6500 uses the Skylake architecture on a 14 nm Intel process, with a monolithic 177 mm² die and no transistor count listed.

Memory architecture differs dramatically. The Threadripper PRO supports DDR4 over an eight-channel memory bus, delivering 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The i5-6500 also supports DDR4, but only over a dual-channel bus, with 34.1 GB/s—just one-sixth of the AMD part's bandwidth. This explains why multi-threaded memory-intensive workloads show such massive deltas. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not.

Cache hierarchies are similarly divergent. The Threadripper PRO has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a massive 64 MB of L3 cache. The i5-6500 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and only 6 MB of shared L3. That 58 MB difference in L3 cache alone contributes to the AMD part's superior multi-threaded throughput.

PCIe connectivity is another major differentiator. The Threadripper PRO offers Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-6500 provides Gen 3 with just 16 lanes. For workstation tasks involving multiple GPUs, NVMe storage, or high-speed networking, this is a decisive factor. The AMD part is also rated for a 280W TDP versus the Intel's 65W, reflecting its workstation-class positioning. The Intel part includes integrated HD Graphics 530, while the AMD processor has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD chip scores 28469 versus 4760 for the Intel Core i5-6500, a 498.1% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-6500 win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The data shows the AMD processor wins all 8 head-to-head benchmarks, with the Intel part recording 0 wins.

Q: What is the closest margin between the two processors?

A: The closest result is in Geekbench single-core, where the AMD chip leads by 51.8% (1668 versus 1099).

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX supports ECC memory; the Intel Core i5-6500 does not.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

A: The AMD processor has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel processor has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-6500 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes HD Graphics 530. The AMD processor has no integrated graphics.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX wins in every single category tested. There is no workload in this dataset where the Intel Core i5-6500 comes out ahead. However, the magnitude of the AMD's victory varies by workload type, which suggests different use-case scenarios.

In multi-threaded rendering and compute tasks—represented by Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests—the AMD processor delivers 498-499% higher scores. This makes it the obvious choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, batch processing, or any application that scales across cores. The 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with 64 MB of L3 cache and eight-channel memory, provide the resources needed for sustained heavy workloads.

In single-threaded tasks, the AMD chip still wins, but the margin shrinks to 51.8% in Geekbench. This suggests that for lightly-threaded applications like legacy software, web browsing, or basic office work, the AMD processor remains faster but less dramatically so. The Intel part's 3.60 GHz boost clock is respectable, but the Zen 2 architecture's IPC advantage and the Threadripper's 4.30 GHz boost clock secure the win.

The Intel Core i5-6500's only potential niche is its 65W TDP and integrated graphics, which could suit a low-power, basic desktop build. But the data shows no performance scenario where it wins. The AMD processor is the clear choice for workstation-class workloads, and even in the single-core tests where the gap is smallest, the Threadripper PRO still leads by a significant margin.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every specification field in the data. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i5-6500 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The AMD's base clock is 4.00 GHz with a 4.30 GHz boost, versus the Intel's 3.20 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. TDP is 280W for the AMD and 65W for the Intel.

The AMD processor uses Socket WRX8 with a Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm TSMC process, while the Intel uses Socket 1151 with Skylake on 14 nm Intel process. The AMD features 2x 74 mm² dies with 7,600 million transistors; the Intel has a single 177 mm² die. Cache configurations differ: the AMD has 512 KB L2 per core and 64 MB L3, while the Intel has 256 KB L2 per core and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory support shows the AMD with eight-channel DDR4 at 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support, versus the Intel's dual-channel DDR4 at 34.1 GB/s with no ECC. PCIe is Gen 4 with 128 lanes on the AMD, versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the Intel. The AMD has no integrated graphics, while the Intel includes HD Graphics 530. The AMD is classified as a Server/Workstation part with Active production status, while the Intel is Desktop and End-of-life. The AMD was released on 2020-07-13, the Intel on 2015-07-01. The AMD part number is 100-000000168, the Intel is SR2L6. Neither processor has a launch MSRP listed, and both have locked multipliers.