The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing a lead in eleven out of fourteen measured specifications. Its most significant technical advantage over the Intel Core i7-6700K is its L3 cache, which is 300% larger. This substantial increase in cache capacity provides the primary performance edge for the Ryzen processor across the majority of the evaluated metrics, establishing it as the superior component in this head-to-head analysis.

Users prioritizing modern architecture and the benefits of a significantly larger L3 cache should choose the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 for their build. Conversely, the Intel Core i7-6700K remains a viable option for those who specifically require a higher base clock speed, as it maintains an 11% advantage in that single category. Select the processor that aligns with your specific needs regarding cache capacity or base frequency requirements.