Intel Core i7-6950X vs Intel Core i7-6850K

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-6950X or Intel Core i7-6950X – 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 i7-6950X features 10 processor cores and has the capability to manage 20 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 i7-6950X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
The Intel Core i7-6850K features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
To use the Intel Core i7-6850K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
6 Generation 6
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition
Intel Core i 6000X Group Intel Core i 6000
Intel Core i7-6950X Name Intel Core i7-6850K
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-6950X has 10 CPU cores and can calculate 20 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-6950X is 3.0 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.5 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i7-6850K has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-6850K is 3.6 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.8 GHz.
10 CPU Cores 6
20 Threads 12
3.5 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.8 GHz
3.0 GHz Frequency 3.6 GHz
10x Cores 6x
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Overclocking Yes
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-6950X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-6850K does not have integrated graphics.
-- Generation --
-- Release date --
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units --
-- Shaders --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Technology --
GPU name
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Direct X --
 
 

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.
-- JPEG --
-- h264 --
-- AV1 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- AVC --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- VP8 --
-- VC-1 --
 
 

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.
4 Memory channels 4
128.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
DDR4-2400 Memory type DDR4-2400
Yes AES-NI Yes
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 76.8 GB/s
No ECC No
pci PCIe pci
 
 

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.
140 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 140 W
-- Tjunction max 100 °C
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-6950X 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 25.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-6850K is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 15.0 MB cache.
Q2/2016 Release date Q2/2016
Broadwell E Architecture Skylake S
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
25.0 MB L3-Cache 15.0 MB
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
14 nm Technology 14 nm
LGA 2011-3 Socket LGA 2011-3
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
-- Release price 628 $
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
17377
17377
Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
11397
11397

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
8993
8993
Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
6711
6711

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
7421
7421
Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
6214
6214

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
5950
5950
Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
3480
3480

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1302
1302
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
1237
1237

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1116
1116
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
974
974