AMD Ryzen 5 1500X vs Intel Core i7-2600K
The Intel Core i7-2600K is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 6%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 1500X | Intel Core i7-2600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 36/100 | 38/100 |
| Tier | D | D |
| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |
| Cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 8 | 8 |
| Base clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.4 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 65 W | 95 W |
| Release year | 2017 | 2011 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the Intel Core i7-2600K is the better buy — it holds a 6% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X runs 30W 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.