Core i7-2600K vs Ryzen 3 1200: which is better

Intel Core i7-2600K (desktop, 2011) against AMD Ryzen 3 1200 (desktop, 2017): benchmarks, games, specs and current prices.

Key differences

Ryzen 3 1200 is 15% faster in multi-threaded work (PassMark 6,271 vs 5,475).
Ryzen 3 1200 is 11% faster per core.
Core i7-2600K is $0 cheaper ($84 vs $84).
Ryzen 3 1200 gives 14% more performance per dollar.
Ryzen 3 1200 has a lower TDP: 65 W vs 95 W.
Different sockets (LGA1155 and AM4): they need different motherboards.

Open the full duel

	Core i7-2600K	Ryzen 3 1200
Overall score	7.6	8.7
PassMark CPU Mark	5,475	6,271
Single-thread rating	1,740	1,926
US price	from $84	from $84
Cores	4	4
Threads	8	4
Base clock	3.4 GHz	3.1 GHz
Max boost	3.8 GHz	3.4 GHz
L3 cache	8 MB	8 MB
TDP	95 W	65 W
Max power	95 W	88 W
Memory	DDR3	DDR4
Memory speed	1333 MT/s	2666 MT/s
PCI Express	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0
Socket	LGA1155	AM4
Process	32 nm (Intel)	14 nm (GlobalFoundries)
Architecture	Sandy Bridge	Zen
Series	2nd Gen Core	Ryzen 1000
Release year	2011	2017
Integrated graphics	HD Graphics 3000	none

Other comparisons