Intel Core i5-2550k vs AMD Ryzen 5 1600X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i5-2550k or Intel Core i5-2550k – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i5-2550k features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2012 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-2550k, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2017 and belongs to the 1 generation of the AMD Ryzen 5 series.
To use the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X, you'll need a motherboard with a AM4 (PGA 1331) socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i5-2550k Name AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
Intel Core i5 Family AMD Ryzen 5
2 Generation 1
Intel Core i 2000 Group AMD Ryzen 1000
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i5-2550k has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-2550k is 3.4 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.8 GHz.
The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X is 3.3 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.7 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
3.8 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.7 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.4 GHz Frequency 3.3 GHz
4 Threads 12
None None 3.5 GHz
No Hyperthreading Yes
4 CPU Cores 6
4x Cores 6x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i5-2550k does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU frequency --
-- Release date --
-- Direct X --
GPU name
-- Technology --
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- AVC --
-- VC-1 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- h264 --
-- VP8 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
2 Memory channels 2
32.0 GB Max. Memory 64.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC Yes
21.3 GB/s Bandwidth 42.7 GB/s
DDR3-1333 Memory type DDR4-2666
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 95 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
-- Tjunction max 95 °C
95 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 95 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i5-2550k is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 16.0 MB cache.
Q1/2012 Release date Q1/2017
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization AMD-V, SVM
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, FMA3, AVX2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Sandy Bridge S Architecture Summit Ridge (Zen)
32 nm Technology 14 nm
LGA 1155 Socket AM4 (PGA 1331)
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
235 $ Release price 245 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
6.0 MB L3-Cache 16.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
13207
13207
Intel Core i5-2550k
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
4120
4120

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
5220
5220
Intel Core i5-2550k
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
2611
2611

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
5089
5089
Intel Core i5-2550k
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
2010
2010

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
1167
1167
Intel Core i5-2550k
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
664
664