🚀 CPU Launch

Intel Core i7-6900K vs AMD Athlon II X4 655

Table of Contents



Overview:

Comparison between Intel Core i7-6900K and AMD Athlon II X4 655

Intel Core i7-6900K is manufactured by Intel, while AMD Athlon II X4 655 is manufactured by AMD. AMD Athlon II X4 655 has a higher base speed of 3.3 GHz compared to Intel Core i7-6900K's 3.2 GHz. Intel Core i7-6900K has a higher turbo speed of 4.0 GHz compared to AMD Athlon II X4 655's GHz. Intel Core i7-6900K has more cores (8) compared to AMD Athlon II X4 655's 4 cores. Intel Core i7-6900K supports more threads (16) compared to AMD Athlon II X4 655's 4 threads.

Both CPUs belong to the same class: Desktop. Intel Core i7-6900K uses the FCLGA2011-3 socket, while AMD Athlon II X4 655 uses the AM2+ socket. Intel Core i7-6900K was launched in Q2 2016, while AMD Athlon II X4 655 was launched in Q1 2014. Intel Core i7-6900K has a larger L3 cache of 20 MB compared to AMD Athlon II X4 655's MB.

Specification Summary

The Intel Core i7-6900K and AMD Athlon II X4 655 are two processors with distinct specifications. Below is a detailed comparison of their key features:

  • Manufacturer: Both processors are manufactured by Intel.
  • Speed: The Intel Core i7-6900K has a base speed of 3.2 GHz, while the AMD Athlon II X4 655 runs at 3.3 GHz.
  • Turbo Boost: The Intel Core i7-6900K supports a turbo speed of 4.0 GHz, compared to GHz for the AMD Athlon II X4 655.
  • Cores: The Intel Core i7-6900K has 8 cores, while the AMD Athlon II X4 655 has 4 cores.
  • Threads: The Intel Core i7-6900K supports 16 threads, compared to 4 threads for the AMD Athlon II X4 655.
  • Class: Both processors are designed for Desktop use.
  • Socket: The Intel Core i7-6900K uses the FCLGA2011-3, while the AMD Athlon II X4 655 uses the AM2+.
  • Launch Date: The Intel Core i7-6900K was launched on Q2 2016, while the AMD Athlon II X4 655 was released on Q1 2014.
  • L3 Cache: The Intel Core i7-6900K has 20 MB of L3 cache, compared to MB for the AMD Athlon II X4 655.

Detailed Specifications:

Specs Intel Core i7-6900K AMD Athlon II X4 655
Intel AMD
Manufacturer Intel AMD
Speed 3.2 GHz 3.3 GHz
Turbo 4.0 GHz GHz
Cores 8 4
Threads 16 4
Class Desktop Desktop
Socket FCLGA2011-3 AM2+
Launched Q2 2016 Q1 2014
L3 Cache 20 MB MB

Review:

Single Core Performance:


CPU Performance in single-threaded applications

Intel Core i7-6900K:



38%
AMD Athlon II X4 655:
24%
* More is Better

Multi Core Performance:


CPU Performance in multi-threaded applications

Intel Core i7-6900K



20%
AMD Athlon II X4 655:
3%
* More is Better

Power Efficiency:


Power Consumption of CPU under full load

Intel Core i7-6900K: 140 watts



35%
AMD Athlon II X4 655: 95 watts
23.75%
* Lower is Better

Launched Date:


Time when the CPU was launched


Intel Core i7-6900K : Q2 2016 ✅

AMD Athlon II X4 655 : Q1 2014 ✅

* Newer is Better

CPU Launch FINAL SCORE:

CPU Final Rating Ratings

Intel Core i7-6900K



AMD Athlon II X4 655


Pro's and Con's

Intel Core i7-6900K – Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Newer Release: The Intel Core i7-6900K was launched more recently (Q2 2016) compared to the AMD Athlon II X4 655 (Q1 2014). This means it benefits from the latest advancements in technology, improved efficiency, and potentially better software optimization.
  • Higher Turbo Boost Speed: The Intel Core i7-6900K supports a higher turbo boost speed of 4.0 GHz compared to the AMD Athlon II X4 655's GHz. This allows for better performance during peak workloads.
  • Faster Single-Core Performance: With a single-threaded performance score of 2328, the Intel Core i7-6900K outperforms the AMD Athlon II X4 655 (score: 1473). This makes it better suited for tasks that rely on single-core performance, such as gaming or everyday productivity.
  • Larger L3 Cache: The Intel Core i7-6900K features a larger L3 cache of 20MB compared to the AMD Athlon II X4 655's MB. A larger cache improves performance in memory-intensive tasks, such as video editing or 3D rendering, by reducing latency and speeding up data access.

Cons:

  • Higher Power Consumption: The Intel Core i7-6900K has a higher TDP of 140W compared to the AMD Athlon II X4 655's 95W. This means it may consume more power, leading to higher energy costs and potentially more heat generation, which could require better cooling solutions.

AMD Athlon II X4 655 – Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Higher Base Clock Speed: The AMD Athlon II X4 655 has a higher base clock speed of 3.3 GHz compared to the Intel Core i7-6900K's 3.2 GHz. This results in better performance for single-threaded tasks and general responsiveness.
  • Higher CPU Mark Score: The AMD Athlon II X4 655 has a higher CPU Mark score of NA compared to the Intel Core i7-6900K's 118.61. This indicates better overall performance across a wide range of tasks.

Cons:

  • Fewer Cores: The AMD Athlon II X4 655 has 4 cores, which is fewer than the Intel Core i7-6900K's 8 cores. This could impact performance in multi-threaded workloads, such as rendering, compiling code, or running virtual machines.
  • Fewer Threads: The AMD Athlon II X4 655 has 4 threads, which is fewer than the Intel Core i7-6900K's 16 threads. This may limit its ability to handle highly parallel workloads efficiently.
  • Lower Multi-Core Performance: In multi-threaded tasks, the AMD Athlon II X4 655 scores 2078, which is lower than the Intel Core i7-6900K's score of 14470. This makes the Intel Core i7-6900K a better choice for heavy multitasking or parallel processing.


Productivity


Intel Core i7-6900K
This cpu Handles Mid Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease. It can also be used for Mid Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.

AMD Athlon II X4 655
This cpu Handles Entry Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease. It can also be used for Entry Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.


Gaming

Intel Core i7-6900K
Ideal for Mid Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Mid Level level computing.

AMD Athlon II X4 655
Ideal for Entry Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Entry Level level computing.



Verdict

Intel Core i7-6900K

The Intel Core i7-6900K is a reliable and Mid Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Mid Level computing needs or those building a New PC.

AMD Athlon II X4 655

The AMD Athlon II X4 655 is a reliable and Entry Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Entry Level computing needs or those building a New PC.