Intel Core i7-10700K vs AMD Ryzen 7 5800X vs Intel Core i5-10600K

Intel Core i7-10700K

The Intel Core i7-10700K is a high-end desktop CPU based on the Comet Lake architecture. The CPU offers 8 cores and 16 threads clocked at 3.8 - 5.1 GHz. The TDP is rated at 125 Watt (PL1) but the PL2 is set to 229 Watt for short term boosts (up to 56 seconds).

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is an 8-core desktop processor with Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT), which allows it to process 16 threads simultaneously. With its launch on 08.10.2020, it is the fastest 8-core processor from AMD. The second fastest 8-core processor will be the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT, followed by the more economical AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, also with 8 cores and 16 threads.

The Ryzen 7 5800X clocks with a base clock of 3.8 GHz and reaches up to 4.7 GHz on one core in turbo mode. When all 8 cores are utilized, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, like the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, achieves up to 4.5 GHz.

At first glance, the internal structure of the processor has not changed fundamentally. The CCX structure has changed somewhat compared to Zen2, because now a CCX consists of up to 8-CPU cores. So each individual core can access the complete L3 cache (32 MByte). Furthermore the CCX modules are connected to each other via the same I/O die, which we already know from Zen2. According to AMD, the Infinity-Fabric should now reach clock rates of up to 2Ghz, which in turn allows a RAM clock of 4.000 MHz without performance loss.

Performance

The average 5800X in our database is in the same league as the Core i9-10900K and also the Core i7-12700F, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned.

In games, AMD's Ryzen 7 5800X can convince with its significantly improved IPC and even put Intel in its place. With the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, gamers are well prepared for the future as simultaneous streaming is no problem with the new Ryzen 7 5800X. Semi-professional content creators, who need even more power, can choose a Ryzen 9 5900X or the Ryzen 9 5950X on the shelf.

Power consumption

The Ryzen 7 has a default TDP (also known as the long-term power limit) of 105 W. This applies as long as the CPU runs at stock clock speeds.

Ryzen 7 5800X is built with TSMC's 7 nm process; as rumors have it, the I/O die is manufactured separately on the 12 nm Global Foundries process.

Intel Core i5-10600K

The Intel Core i5-10600K is a mid-range processor for desktops with six cores based on the Comet Lake architecture (CML-S, 4th generation of Skylake). The processor clocks at between 4.1 and 4.8 GHz and can execute up to twelfe threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. 

The processor is still manufactured in the old 14nm (14nm++) process. Thanks to the free multiplicator, the CPU can also be easily overclocked (but may not have much headroom).

The Comet Lake architecture is similar to Coffee Lake and offers the same features and is produced in the same 14nm process. Other than the improved clock rates, the memory controller now also supports faster DDR4-2933 RAM. More information on Comet Lake and all the models and articles on it can be found here.

Performance

Thanks to the high clock speeds (and possible TDP settings with most mainboards), the Core i5-10600K offers a similar speed than the old Core i7-9700K quad core. Compared to current AMD offerings, the multi-core performance is on par with a Ryzen 5 3600, single core and gaming performance with a faster Ryzen 9 3900.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a similar performance as the UHD630 in the Core i7-9900K. As a  low-end solution it will only run current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.

Power Consumption

Intel specifies the TDP with 125 Watts (PL1) but under full load up to 250 Watt are consumed (PL2). In default mode these 250 Watt and therefore high clock speeds can be maintained for up to 56 seconds, however, all boards offer the option to alter these settings.