Intel Core i7-6900K vs Intel Core i9-10900K

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-6900K or Intel Core i7-6900K – 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 i7-6900K features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 16 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2016 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-6900K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
The Intel Core i9-10900K features 10 processor cores and has the capability to manage 20 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2020 and belongs to the 10 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-10900K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1200 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-6900K Name Intel Core i9-10900K
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i9
6 Generation 10
Intel Core i 6000 Group Intel Core i 10000
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-6900K has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-6900K is 3.2 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.
The Intel Core i9-10900K has 10 CPU cores and can calculate 20 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i9-10900K is 3.7 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 5.3 GHz.
3.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 5.3 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.2 GHz Frequency 3.7 GHz
16 Threads 20
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
8 CPU Cores 10
8x Cores 10x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-6900K does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i9-10900K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i9-10900K uses the Intel UHD Graphics 630, which has 192 texture shaders
and 24 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
-- GPU frequency 0.35 GHz
-- Release date Q4/2017
-- Direct X 12
GPU name Intel UHD Graphics 630
-- Technology 14 nm
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders 192
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 64.0 GB
-- Execution units 24
-- Generation 9.5
-- GPU (Turbo) 1.2 GHz
 
 

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 Decode / Encode
-- VC-1 Decode
-- VP9 Decode / Encode
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode / Encode
-- h264 Decode / Encode
-- VP8 Decode / Encode
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
-- JPEG Decode / Encode
-- AV1 No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 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 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
4 Memory channels 2
128.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 45.8 GB/s
DDR4-2400 Memory type DDR4-2933
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 140 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.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 125 W watts.
-- Tjunction max 100 °C
140 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 125 W
None TDP down 95 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-6900K is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 20.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i9-10900K is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
Q2/2016 Release date Q2/2020
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Skylake S Architecture Comet Lake S
14 nm Technology 14 nm
LGA 2011-3 Socket LGA 1200
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
-- Release price 490 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
20.0 MB L3-Cache 20.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i9-10900K
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
23706
23706
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
14474
14474

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-10900K
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
15945
15945
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
11326
11326

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-10900K
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
11344
11344
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
7651
7651

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-10900K
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
8990
8990
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
7471
7471

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-10900K
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
7347
7347
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
4402
4402

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-10900K
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
1743
1743
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
1254
1254

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-10900K
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
1417
1417
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
1086
1086

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-10900K
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
1382
1382
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
1151
1151