AMD Ryzen 7 1800X vs Intel Core i5-6600K
The Intel Core i5-6600K is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 5%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 1800X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 43/100 | 45/100 |
| Tier | D | C |
| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |
| Cores | 8 | 4 |
| Threads | 16 | 4 |
| Base clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4 GHz | 3.9 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 95 W | 91 W |
| Release year | 2017 | 2015 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the Intel Core i5-6600K is the better buy — it holds a 5% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X has more cores (8 vs 4), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The Intel Core i5-6600K runs 4W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.