CPU Showdown

Core i7-6800KvsRyzen Threadripper 9960X

The Intel Core i7-6800K is a six-core Broadwell-E chip for older high-end desktop builds, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is a massive 24-core processor for modern pro workstations.

Intel Core i7-6800K
6C / 12T · 140W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
24C / 48T · 350W
Intel

Core i7-6800K

Broadwell-E · 14 nm · 2016

6score
3.8/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
TDP
140W
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz
L3 Cache
15 MB

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AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Shimada Peak · 4 nm · 2025

56score
4.9/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
24 / 48
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.3 GHz
L3 Cache
128 MB

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Aggregate Performance

Overall Performance Score

A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.

Core i7-6800K
6
Ryzen Threadripper 9960XWinner
56
Ryzen Threadripper 9960X leads by 833.3% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#5Ryzen Threadripper 7970X60
#6Ryzen Threadripper 9960X56
#7Ryzen Threadripper 7960X50
#359Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G7
#360Core i7-6800K6
#361Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE6
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.

SpecsCore i7-6800KRyzen Threadripper 9960X
Cores
Total Cores624
Threads1248
Base Clock3.4 GHz4.2 GHz
Boost Clock3.8 GHz5.3 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache1.5 MB24 MB
L3 Cache15 MB128 MB
Platform
MemoryDDR4DDR5
PCIePCIe 3.0PCIe 5.0
Power
Base TDP140W350W
General
Process14 nm4 nm
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X wins for raw performance, but the Core i7-6800K is a more practical choice for older platforms.

Best value

For budget buyers, the Core i7-6800K is the smarter pick if you already own a compatible motherboard.

When the other wins

Choose the Core i7-6800K when building a low-cost workstation with existing DDR4 memory and a used LGA2011 board.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i7-6800K better than the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X?

Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (56 vs 6 out of 100), so it leads the Core i7-6800K in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X than the Core i7-6800K?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is roughly 833% faster than the Core i7-6800K overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Core i7-6800K or the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X. If the Core i7-6800K is meaningfully cheaper where you shop, it can be the better value for similar real-world results — check current prices and the full spec comparison above before deciding.